The Ultimate Motion to Sever: Arizona Court to Decide Who Gets Head of Dead Woman

When Mary Robbins, 71, passed away on February 9th, she left a $50,000 annuity and her head. Her relatives and a cryogenic company are now fighting over who gets the cash and head in probate. Hopefully, none of the lawyers are working on a one-third contingency arrangement.

In 2006, Robbins signed a contract with Alcor Life Extension Foundation of Scottsdale, Arizona to cryogenically preserve her head and brain and to give the nonprofit foundation a $50,000 annuity to cover preservation costs. However, her daughter, Darlene Robbins, insists that she changed her mind before she died because, in order to be preserved properly, she would have had to had tubes inserted in her throat and nose as well as the administration of various intravenous lines and medications before she died.

Alcor denies that such pre-death procedures are required in its press release:

It has been alleged in news media stories that Alcor requires invasive medical interventions to be performed prior to legal death, including placement of tubes in the nose and throat, and administration of medications. This is incorrect. Alcor requires no such interventions. Alcor does not participate in the medical care of patients, or perform any medical interventions prior to legal death. The objective of Alcor’s procedures is to limit injury to the brain after legal pronouncement of death.

The daughter says that she agreed to sign over the annuity to them.

Alcor insists that it is being reasonable. They only want her head (and the annuity) and the family can keep the body and the memories.

Eric Bentley, an attorney for Alcor, said Mary Robbins didn’t execute a written notice rescinding the 2006 agreement.

For the moment, Robbins’ body is on dry ice at a Colorado Springs mortuary until a court decides who gets her head.

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