'Survivor' Producer's Kids Ordered Not To Go To Mother's Memorial
May 28 2010, Published 4:50 a.m. ET
A Los Angeles Court judge has ruled in favor of former Survivor producer Bruce Beresford-Redman and is ordering that his children NOT attend their mother’s memorial this Sunday, RadarOnline.com has learned.
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Judge Mitchell Beckloff ruled that the only professional declaration he can rely on is that of the children’s therapist, who said that 5-year-old Camila and 3-year-old Alec should not go to the memorial, and instead should honor their mother, Monica, in a smaller, more private ceremony.
Monica’s sister Carla, who is fighting for custody, told the judge, “Right now it is like nothing’s happened like the cat has been run over. They (the kids) need to see how many people love their mom.”
According to Carla’s declaration, Bruce’s parents told the children that Monica died after she went out shopping and was hit in the street by a car.
By the time Bruce got to the hospital, she was already dead.
“They’re getting too much information right now,” Carla continued in court, “I could see Camila feeling the pain as she imagined her mom falling and hitting her head. I would never tell the children what really happened, but I wouldn’t tell them that either. I would maybe say their mother is an angel now or with the angels.”
Following the hearing, Monica’s other sister Jeane Burgos said “We respect the decision of the court, but we are disappointed the children will not be allowed to participate in the celebration of her (Monica’s) life.”
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For the first time, she revealed that Monica’s body will not be at the memorial service on Sunday, but that, “she’s going to be there in spirit.”
Jeane said that the memorial will be a celebration that will include traditional Brazilian music, a choir and a forum for family and friends to recall their personal memories of Monica.
Bruce’s grandparents came to court Friday to resign their temporary guardianship of the children stating that Bruce is back in Los Angeles, living in the family home and able to resume his parental duties. The judge was willing to grant that, but it meant that Monica’s sisters could still become temporary guardians. So, the grandparent -- David and Juanita Beresford-Redman-- pulled back their resignation of guardianship.
Following the hearing, Bruce’s attorney Richard Hirsch told the media that although Bruce is “a person of interest in the case”, he left Mexico because he was free to do so.
“First of all he wasn’t told to stay in Mexico. Secondly, He was advised by attorneys in Mexico‹who are professionals and understand Mexican law—he had no obligation to remain in Mexico. Unless someone is arrested or is ordered to remain in the country by the judge he could leave. He did so,” Hirsch said.
But when asked how Bruce was able to come back without a passport, Hirsch said “I’m not going to comment on that.”
When asked why Bruce wasn’t present in court Friday, Hirsch gestured to the media and said “I think the presence of you all speaks for itself.”
He also said he hasn’t heard any credible information from Mexico that Bruce will be charged with first degree murder and he shot down reports that Bruce and Monica were fighting in Cancun the night she went missing.
"We feel this case should not be a rush to judgment. “It’s a serious matter to charge someone who we believe to be an innocent person with a crime such as murder‹without pursuing all leads and determining whether or not there are alternatives to Bruce Beresford-Redman as the perpetrator of this crime.
It would be irresponsible and reckless.”
RadarOnline.com was first to report that the Attorney General’s office in Mexico has requested Bruce to return to answer more questions regarding his wife’s murder.
“There were insurance policies, but Bruce has never been the beneficiary of any insurance policies on Monica’s life. “Why would he take something out on something like that?
How many of you,” and Hirsch shrugged, “have taken trips and take out trip insurance? If that is the basis of believing someone might be responsible for a crime, when they are not the beneficiary, I think we’ve come a long way (in terms of our legal system.”
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A trial for the two competing permanent guardianships has moved to June 17.
And late Friday Bruce made a formal petition to be named executor of Monica's estate, in which he states, her the net value of her estate is 239k.
