Catherine Boone died homeless with $800,000 in her bank account
The death of a homeless woman on the streets of Oregon revealed that she had more than $800,000 in heirs' money kept in one of the state's bank accounts.
KGW-TV reported that Catherine Boone, 49, was homeless in the city of Astoria before her death in January.
Since her mother's death in 2016, officials from a legal commission to dispose of her mother's money have tried to contact her several times, and, failing to reach her years later, it was decided to keep her $884,407, with unclaimed money in an account belonging to the Oregon Land Department.
Her father, Jack Spiethl, said Kathy had led a very difficult life, struggled with drug addiction and many health and mental problems, and had no contact with her family or friends.
He added, "It was an unfortunate irony for me, she had this money legally, when she died desperately in need of every dollar."
According to KGW-TV, people who have known Kathy on various occasions remember that she used to smile a lot despite her difficult life.
For her part, Oregon Land Department spokeswoman, Claudia Ciopano, said: "Given that it has been more than a year and a half of effort made by my personal representative and attorney to get this property to its owner, I do not see a failure in her right, this is a unique case and we sympathize with the family."
She added that officials are working with the late lady's representative to determine who is entitled to disburse the heirs' money saved since her mother's death.
