Family of mother, child and unborn baby killed by Jeremy Best are suing for their wrongful deaths
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VICTOR — The family of a 38-year-old pregnant mother and her 10-month-old baby, who were killed by their husband and father, is now suing for their wrongful deaths.
Jeremy Albert Best, 50, pleaded guilty on Feb. 13 to first-degree murder in the death of 10-month-old Zeke Best and second-degree murder in the deaths of Kali Best and her unborn child, Freya.
He is expected to be sentenced on July 23.
According to court documents, the estate of Kali Jean Randall, represented by Kali’s brother Brian Randall, filed a lawsuit in Teton County District Court against Best on April 23, asking for “a judgment against (Best) for damages suffered by the Estate, in the amounts to be demonstrated at trial.”
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The lawsuit states that Randall was murdered by Best around Nov. 30, 2023.
“Along with Kali, (Best) also murdered her unborn child, Freya, and her 10-month-old son, Zeke Best,” says the lawsuit filing.
According to the lawsuit, Best and his mother, Patricia Best, have been “actively liquidating and moving (Best’s) assets” since his arrest.
In December 2023, Patricia was appointed as Best’s conservator to “aid in the reallocation or liquidation of his assets.”
Randall’s estate alleges that $250,000 of proceeds from the sales of Best’s assets were moved into certificates of deposits held by Chase Bank in Patricia’s name, not her son’s.
The lawsuit states that the estate believes that on August 29, 2024, Jeremy, through Patricia, “sold two properties generating gross proceeds of $317,000 ($145,000 plus $172,000.)”
The estate says that after estimating commissions and costs of approximately 7%, the net proceeds would be around $295,275.
But, according to the lawsuit, only $294,000 was accounted for and deposited into Jeremy’s Bank of Commerce account, leaving $1,200 missing.
The lawsuit also alleges that Patricia tried to sell another of Best’s properties, the house near which Randall was murdered, at 4600 Skyline Loop in Victor, in a “non-arms-length transaction”, though the sale did not occur” due to protestations by the real estate agent listing the property.
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In addition to the property, Randall’s estate claims that Jeremy, through Patricia, liquidated $21,500 worth of tools and equipment to a friend of Best’s. The estate argues that the amount is “less than the fair market value for such items.
Another $5,000 worth of equipment was reportedly given to another one of Best’s friends, which the estate also says was “less than fair market value.”
The estate then claims that Patricia issued two checks to herself as the conservator of Best’s case, one for $6,840 and one for $1,755.31.
“(Randall’s estate), on information and belief, contends that (Best) is overpaying Patricia for her work as his conservator,” says the lawsuit.
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Randall’s estate says in the lawsuit that they are unaware of Best’s current total net assets, as they believe that Patricia’s inventory filings have been “incorrect and contradictory.”
“(Randall’s estate) has substantial and credible fears that (Best), through Patricia, has and is currently attempting to liquidate and remove (Best’s) assets in such a way to render (Best) ‘judgment proof’,” says the lawsuit.
The lawsuit states that the Randall estate has been “proximately and directly damaged by (Best’s) wrongful actions, as he pleaded guilty to the murders and admitted that Randall’s death was because of his actions.
“The Estate has been proximately and directly damaged by defendant’s wrongful actions, which damages include, but are not limited to, economic damages (e.g., medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, lost benefits, lost earnings) and non-economic damages (e.g., loss of companionship, and emotional distress upon surviving family members) in amounts to be proven at trial.”
Court hearings for this lawsuit have not yet been scheduled.