Gary Coleman's Parents Drop Bid to Bury Their Son

By PopEater Staff Posted Jun 5th 2010 07:52AM

Gary Coleman's parents have abandoned their legal efforts to handle the burial of their estranged son following the confirmation by a Utah attorney that the actor had named an executor in a 1999 will. In an interview with the AP, Sue Coleman called the discovery "disappointing."

"We're not up for a fight," she said. "We just want him finally put away to rest."

The 'Diff'rent Strokes' star died May 28 in Utah from a brain hemorrhage at age 42. He was to be buried this weekend, but the ongoing court fight led to its postponement. Sheila Erickson, a spokesman for Coleman's ex-wife Shannon Price, told RadarOnline.com. "I very much doubt the funeral will be held this weekend. It's highly likely that Gary will be cremated, I believe that is what he wanted."

Frederick Jackman, an attorney for Coleman's parents, said the person named in the will is Dion Mial, a friend and former manager of the former child TV star. The star's parents had been preparing to go to court, but Jackman said that's no longer the case because they had seen a copy of the will naming Mial as its beneficiary.

"The Colemans from the start simply wanted to do what he wanted to have done," Jackman said.

Sue Coleman said she is not aware of any funeral details in the will and she hasn't spoken with Mial in 20 years.

According to TMZ, a mortuary is holding Coleman's remains.

Coleman died after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage that left him in a coma and on life support. The actor was taken to the hospital on May 26, and his condition deteriorated as the days went on. After being on life support for at least a day, the decision was made to remove the actor from the machinery that was keeping him alive.

His parents have said they learned about his hospitalization and death from media reports and they had wanted to reconcile with their son before his death.

"We know that we loved him. We know deep in his heart he loves us," Sue Coleman said Friday. "That's the way it is."

The family is originally from Zion, Ill., a small town about 50 miles north of Chicago near the Wisconsin border.

Price has been under scrutiny since Coleman's death after speculation ignited over whether she, as his ex-wife, had the authority to make medical decisions for the unresponsive actor. Though they have been divorced since August 2008, they continued to be together.

Previously, Janet Frank, spokeswoman for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, in Provo, Utah, told PEOPLE, "Shannon certainly portrayed herself as his wife to our staff and doctors. We assumed she was telling the truth. We can't comment on specific details in Mr. Coleman's case, but in general, any patient on life support is thoroughly evaluated medically before life support is ended."

The hospital later clarified the matter, noting in a statement that Coleman had signed an Advanced Health Care Directive, which gave Price permission to make medical decisions on his behalf.

Regardless of the medical legalities, Coleman's former lawyer, Randy Kester, predicts further controversies over Price's authority. "I don't think anyone is looking at criminal wrongdoing here, but this raises the issue of the appropriateness of her making the decision to take him off life support," Kester told the New York Daily News. "She might have subjectively felt she was still his wife."

The Coleman 911 tape was released to the press. On the tape, Price seems reluctant to help the actor, stating she didn't "want to be traumatized right now" since she had a fever.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Tags: Gary Coleman, Shannon Price

Comments

(29)

Saturday 05 June

By Lita

Vote down Vote up Report this

At last a show of decency from his "parents." What a shame they waited until after he died to show their humanity; had they done so decades earlier, perhaps this incredibly intelligent little man's journey through life would have been less angry. While I find it sad that he is gone, I am happy that he has found the peace which he so richly deserved....

By T.Henderson

I grew up watching Gary Coleman,my siblings and I always waited for those four words(what you talkin bout)it's a shame that he was estranged from his parent's at the time.I get pissed at my family sometimes but not to the point where we wouldn't speak for years.I know every family has their own issues but there is one thing I do know......you can replace friends,husbands,wives but not a parent!This is my opinion on the 911 call....Hmmmmmmmm sounded very fishy to me!

By Carmen

Sounds like Gary was surrounded by gold diggers all his life and he died lonely. His wife will have to face GOD with all this. I'm surprised she can even look at herself in the mirror. Glad Gary's at peace. Poor guy. So sad. To have everything but nothing.

By joan

Rest in pease Gary God bless you.

By diplobrat

Just goes to show you what pathetic f***s a better part of the Human race is. If it weren't for the universality of biology, I doubt we would have evolved at all. Or have we? See ya on the other side Gary.

By Taterbug

I dont remember the exact details of his last run ins with the authorities,but I do remember thinking that he was being an arrogant little bastard.probably because he thought his money and fame would get him out of it.now look where he is. This could be a wake up call to all who think they are "too big to fail". Probably pissed a bunch off,but that is my opinion.

Sunday 06 June

By Lisa

The (ex) wife sounded like a real flake in the 911 call. But he was sitting up and responding when the EMT's arrived. Must have really bumped his head hard to have suffered the intercranial hemmorage later. All that aside, he is gone. I hope they get him buried somewhere, so he can rest in peace. His (ex) wife Shannon will fade into obscurity, thank heavens...seems she doesn't have sense enough to pour piss out of a boot. I am betting you won't see her doing the talk show rounds as the grieving widow. Who wants to interview that idiot?

By Tessy O'Toole

NOW his parents want to be there for him??? Ever hear of " Too much, too little,too late?"

Wednesday 09 June

By Theresa

Please Let this MAN REST, As you can SEE all that Money And you cant BRING HIM back. Stop Yur FUEDING, Over MATERIAL THINGS LIKE MONEY. Just to say, Every one knows he's past on. Sad to say that my mother past on and NO one told me and THE family CLEANED HER OUT, They took it all LIKE A HOOVER VACUUM. Feel for the people that DID LOVE THEIR LOVED ONES AND Could only visit at the cemetary! Regards, THERESA

Page 2 of 2