Trick suicide tycoon deployed to leave influencer widow enormous inheritance despite $34m debts

Real estate tycoon Brandon Miller was able to leave his influencer widow millions in insurance money despite his death by suicide as he secretly faced nearly $34million in debts.

Mama & Tata blogger Candice Miller, 42, has received a $15million payout following her husband’s suicide in their Hamptons mansion over the summer, as reported by The New York Times.

While insurance companies do not typically pay out policies in the case of suicide, that exclusion generally only lasts two years after the policy is purchased, per industry experts.

Miller, who had just $8,000 in his bank account when he died, said in his suicide note that the policies could be used to help pay his debts. 

But Candice is reportedly still dealing with the fallout of the financial chaos her husband left behind, as she may still be on the hook for millions in debt.

The socialite’s life was turned upside down in July when her husband committed suicide at age 43 by inhaling carbon monoxide inside the garage of his Hamptons mansion while she and her daughters were away in Europe. 

Candice’s already agreed to pay about $4 million to settle a lawsuit over an unpaid loan in August, according to the Times. Candice has also been sued for $194,881.89 of unpaid rent at the $47,000-per-month Park Avenue apartment she shared with her family. She is fighting the lawsuit, arguing she did not personally signed the lease.

Last week, Candice sold her Water Mill mansion in the Hamptons – Miller’s main asset. It had been listed for $15.5million in August but it’s unclear how much it sold for. 

Candice sold her Water Mill mansion in the Hamptons – Miller’s main asset. It had been listed for $15.5million in August but it’s unclear how much it sold for

However, it’s likely Candice won’t see much of that money, as a big part of Miller’s debts came from the property, which had five mortgages totaling nearly $12 million.

Meanwhile it’s emerged that Miller’s mother Barbara died at the age of 81 earlier this month, with his family saying she died from a ‘broken heart.’ 

‘Our beautiful Barbara passed away with a broken heart, and we are desperately trying to find comfort and peace in knowing that she has been reunited with her beloved husband, Michael, and precious son, Brandon,’ her daughter Maurley Miller said in a statement to the Times.

‘The tragedy that my family has endured over the past few months has been absolutely devastating. The pain is indescribable.’ 

Candice, who was known for flaunting her life as part of New York’s wealthiest circles, has filed a bond petition detailing four outstanding loans on the property, including a $2 million mortgage from Titan Capital, which has also recently sued her over missed payments.

Beyond the property debt, Brandon had a substantial unsecured loan of $11.3 million from BMO Bank. Additionally, he owed over $6 million to Donald Jaffe, a lender who had previously funded Miller and his father on various projects. Jaffe is still pursuing legal action to recover the unpaid balance.

Other creditors include American Express and Funding Club, a Brooklyn-based cash advance lender, to whom Brandon owed over $300,000 and $266,000, respectively.

After her husband ended his own life on July 3 Miller sought a fresh start with her two daughters in Miami Beach

The socialite’s life was turned upside down in July when her husband committed suicide at age 43 by inhaling carbon monoxide inside the garage of his Hamptons mansion

In a suicide note, the father explained that a last-minute make-or-break business deal had fallen through, leaving him feeling he had no way out.

Candice moved to Miami Beach shortly after her husband’s suicide and is now living in a multimillion dollar condo owned by a member of the von Fürstenberg family. .

Her now-defunct Mama & Tata account frequently featured lavish displays of wealth including extravagant parties, designer clothing and luxury getaways.