Update - June 3, 2026:
The judge has delayed his decision, allowing the family more time to make their case. No new date was announced.
Monkton family worries husband who murdered wife could inherit all of her assets
Original Story:
Could a man who murdered his wife, but may not be criminally responsible for it, still have a right to inherit all of her assets?
One Maryland family fears that could be the case, and therefore is begging a judge to hear their case.
Monkton family worries husband who murdered wife could inherit all of her assets
Kimberly Lechner was stabbed to death inside of her Monkton home on September 29, 2025, reportedly in front of her disabled brother.
Her husband, Anthony Lechner, was later charged.
However, the family's since been told that doctors have deemed Anthony not criminally responsible by reason of a mental disorder and/or intellectual disability.
RELATED: Husband asks police 'what happened?' after allegedly stabbing wife to death in Monkton
If true Anthony would most likely be spared jail time, and be entitled to all of Kimberly's possessions.
"Under a bizarre twist of Maryland law, if the court accepts the NCR finding, the man who stabbed Kimberly Lechner to death would be free to inherit the entirety of her estate — the family home, vehicles, and retirement accounts, valued in total at over two million dollars," said attorney Thiru Vignarajah. "And because the [Kimberly’s] college-age children are technically adults (age 19 and 21) and [Anthony's] biological children, Maryland’s intestacy laws do not grant them half of their mother’s estate but may route every asset to the man who killed their mother."
Vignarajah also accuses Anthony of threatening to cut off financial support to his children, with plans to evict Kimberly's brother who witnessed her murder.
In their court filing, Kimberly's family demands to see what evidence led to Anthony being deemed not criminally responsible.
They're also requesting access to disturbing voice messages they claim Anthony sent to his son from prison.
In the family's opinion, the messages should've been considered before any decision was made on culpability.
According to Vignarajah, in the messages, Anthony blames drugs for Kimberly's murder.
Vignarajah wants the judge to postpone Wednesday's ruling on whether Anthony is criminally responsible until more analysis is conducted.
