Genworth Seeks Ruling on Life Benefits After Family Found Dead

News April 16, 2024 at 01:04 PM
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Genworth Financial is asking a federal court in Boston to remove it from discussions about $1.25 million in term life insurance policy benefits related to what Massachusetts officials have classified as a murder-suicide.

Rakesh Kamal; his wife, Teena Kamal; and their 18-year-old daughter, Arianna Kamal, were found dead in their home in Dover, Massachusetts, on Dec. 28. Teena and Arianna Kamal died as a result of homicide by gunshot, and Rakesh Kamal "died by gunshot wound consistent with being self-inflicted," according to a summary of an initial autopsy report by the chief medical examiner's office in Norfolk County.

Genworth, based in Richmond, Virginia, filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts on April 2.

Teena Kamal, the insured, bought the policy in December 2006 from First Colony Life Insurance Co., which later became part of Genworth. She named her husband as the primary beneficiary and their daughter as the contingent beneficiary.

Rakesh and Teena Kamal were the former owners of an education services firm, EduNova, that shut down in 2021. Arianna Kamal was a freshman at Middlebury College.

On Dec. 24, Genworth received a fax transmission naming Rakesh and Arianna as equal primary beneficiaries. The fax named Manoj Kamal, the brother of Rakesh, as the contingent beneficiary.

Genworth named Manoj Kamal and Sandeep Bedi, Teena Kamal's brother and the administrator of her estate, as the defendants for its action.

"In light of the pending investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ms. Kamal and concerns related to the December 2023 beneficiary designation request, Genworth, who is an innocent and disinterested stakeholder, is unable to determine which individual or entity may be entitled to the proceeds," the company told the court.

"Genworth is an innocent party that wishes to distribute the proceeds to the appropriate party," the company said.

Genworth asked the court to have Manoj Kamal and Teena Kamal's estate resolve any claims to the life insurance policy proceeds without further involvement of Genworth.

Genworth declined to comment on the suit.

Attorneys for Manoj Kamal were not immediately available for comment. Attorneys have not yet appeared for Teena Kamal's estate.

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