TAVARES, Fla.— The grandmother of two young women involved in the ambush of Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies last year has filed a claim on their life insurance policies, Inside Lake uncovered in a recent court filing.
According to a complaint for interpleader filed by the Gerber Life Insurance Company (GLIC,) Linda Jefferson, mother of Julie Sulpizio and grandmother of Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio, is attempting to collect a total of $50,000 on two life insurance policies — $30,000 for Cheyenne Sulpizio and $20,000 for Savannah Sulpizio.
An interpleader is a legal tool that allows someone involved in a lawsuit—usually the party holding disputed property or funds—to ask the court to decide who among multiple claimants is legally entitled to it.
Julie Sulpizio is accused of starting an altercation with her neighbors on Brookside Drive in unincorporated Eustis on Aug. 2, 2024. LCSO responded to the altercation and removed Julie Sulpizio from the scene under a Baker Act. After she made concerning statements, deputies performed well-being check at her home, just down the street from the original call, and during that check, they were ambushed by Julie Sulpizio’s husband, Michael and their daughters, Cheyenne and Savannah. Cheyenne and Savannah are the biological daughters of Julie Sulpizio and the adopted daughters of Michael. Master Deputy Bradley Link was shot and suffered fatal wounds, and K9 Master Deputy Howell was shot in the wrist. In a subsequent rescue attempt, Deputy Stefano Gargano was shot multiple times. Gargano returned to light duty earlier last month; Howell continues to recover from his injuries.
Evidence revealed Michael, Cheyenne and Savannah Sulpizio all participated in the attack and opened fire on the deputies; all three were found dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds after LCSO’s SWAT Team entered the home, Sheriff Peyton Grinnell said last year. After Julie Sulpizio’s release from her Baker Act, she was arrested for principal to first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, conspiracy to commit first degree murder, three counts of principal to attempted first degree murder of a law enforcement officer, three counts of battery and one count of battery on a law enforcement officer.
The interpleader complaint, filed in Lake County, states, following Julie Sulpizio’s arrest, a Durable Financial Power of Attorney was executed on Aug. 26, 2024. The power of attorney appointed Jefferson as Julie Sulpizio’s agent, and on Sept.4 — one month and one day after the altercation that resulted in the murder of Link and the attempted murders of Howell and Gargano, Jefferson provided Gerber Life Insurance Company with a notice of death related to the life insurance policies.
In its filing, GLIC states it is at risk of facing multiple claims to the funds and is unable to determine who is legally entitled to the money and is asking the court to make the decision. According to the complaint, Jefferson has never been named a beneficiary to either policy, and GLIC is unsure if Julie Sulpizio was legally competent when she executed the power of attorney. She has been found incompetent to stand trial for her criminal charges twice this year.
GLIC also cites Florida’s slayer statute, which may prohibit Julie Sulpizio from receiving any proceeds due to her involvement in the tragic incident. The statute could also affect Michael Sulpizio’s estate, because he outlived both daughters, potentially entitling his estate to a claim. However, his involvement in the murder and attempted murders could disqualify his estate under the same statute.
Because of the legal uncertainties, GLIC is asking the court to make a final determination regarding distribution of the insurance funds.
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