Judge orders Cedric Von Ferdinand to trial after Nadine Jett’s remains unearthed on the ranch
A foster son is to stand trial on dozens of charges after the remains of his foster mother, divorce lawyer Nadine Jett, were discovered buried on the California ranch they once shared.
The 65-year-old lawyer had not been seen since December 2023. Her skeletal remains were unearthed in July 2025 at her Valley Center property, shocking her quadruplet daughters and ending months of agonising uncertainty.
Cedric Von Ferdinand, who had been caring for Ms Jett as she battled pancreatic cancer, now faces more than 40 counts including fraud, forgery, perjury, identity theft and grand theft, according to a criminal complaint. Prosecutors allege he forged signatures and wrongfully gave himself power of attorney while she was alive. He has not been charged in connection with her death and is not under arrest.
The daughters said alarm bells rang when their mother suddenly disappeared. Von Ferdinand allegedly told them she had died in Mexico. Tiffany Lucci, one of the quadruplets, told local media he deliberately isolated them from their mother. “Charles was keeping us away from Nadine,” she said. “It was just really sad. It was our last Christmas with her, and then after that we were just shut out.”
Embed from Getty ImagesDistressed by the lack of answers, the sisters began their own search. They spoke to neighbours and visited the ranch, only to find the property cleared. Suspicion grew further when an estate agent reported unsettling comments by Von Ferdinand during attempts to sell the land. The agent, Noel Lawton, recalled Von Ferdinand requesting that any buyer plant a rose garden in her memory and pointing to a spot later identified as the location of the grave.
Investigators eventually confirmed that skeletal remains found on the ranch belonged to Ms Jett. A judge has now ruled that Von Ferdinand and another man, public notary Raymond Joseph Alto, must stand trial. Both pleaded not guilty, according to reports.
The case has left Ms Jett’s daughters devastated. They described their mother as a vibrant and loving figure whose absence has left an irreplaceable void. “She was just the best person to be around,” Tiffany said. “She made us feel loved, and we gave her love.”
Court filings allege that Von Ferdinand abused his role as caretaker while Ms Jett’s health declined. By assuming power of attorney, prosecutors claim, he diverted assets and committed forgery. The alleged offences range from falsifying signatures to stealing personal property. Alto is accused of enabling the fraud by certifying false documents.
The discovery has cast a grim shadow over the once-quiet ranch. Forensic teams worked through the summer to identify the remains, which confirmed the daughters’ worst fears after months of unanswered questions. Local media outlets reported that community members had long wondered about Ms Jett’s whereabouts but had not been told of any official missing person investigation.
While the criminal case proceeds, Ms Jett’s daughters are left to mourn. They have spoken publicly about the painful final months of their mother’s life, expressing anger at being cut off and anguish over her disappearance. Their grief is compounded by the shocking burial discovery and the financial allegations now before the court.
Von Ferdinand continues to deny wrongdoing, but the judge’s ruling ensures a trial will take place. No murder charge has been filed, but the fraud and forgery counts carry the prospect of lengthy prison terms if he is convicted.
The next hearings are expected to focus on the documentary evidence gathered by prosecutors, including signatures, property records and notarial stamps. The family, meanwhile, clings to memories of a woman they described as deeply caring, accomplished in her career, and central to their lives.
The haunting discovery of Nadine Jett’s body has turned a family tragedy into a complex criminal saga. For her daughters, the devastating loss has been coupled with a prolonged legal battle that promises further painful revelations when the trial begins