St. James and LaDonna Davis gained fame forraising a chimpanzeenamed Moe as their son.
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Image credits:John Chapple / Getty Images
Thechimpanzee, who was the best man at their wedding, lived with the couple for 30 years before he was forcibly removed and placed in a wildlife sanctuary.
The horrific encounter left St. Jamesdisfigured; he lost an eye, eight fingers, parts of his nose, lips, genitals, buttocks, and feet. LaDonna lost a finger in the assault.
The Davises raised a chimpanzee named Moe like a son, even including him as the ‘best man’ at their wedding
Image credits:Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Despite the horror, the Davises managed to settle a lawsuit related to the attack, receiving a $4 million settlement.
Their lives continued as normal until a new figure entered the picture. In 2017, Min Zaw Maw, a Myanmar businessman with purportedfinancial troubles, befriended the couple and bonded with them over their shared love of cars, according toNBC News.
Claiming to be a struggling entrepreneur, Min was welcomed into their lives, even staying in their home when St. James was hospitalized following a stroke.
Min began calling LaDonna “mommy” while she called him her “son,” LaDonna’s caretaker said in a deposition.
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The businessman reportedly took advantage of the couple’s trust, writing checks to himself totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars while St. James was hospitalized.
By the time St. James passed away in 2018, the damage was done. The couple’s finances were decimated, and their properties had become havens forsquatters.
After her husband died in July 2018 from cardiopulmonary arrest, LaDonna’s health continued to deteriorate, and she was unable to fully grasp the gravity of Min’s actions.
Moreover, Min was named the successor trustee of the Davis family trust and its beneficiary.
Image credits:Pixel-mixer / Pixabay (Representational image)
LaDonna’s signature on a document also gave Min the authority to “conduct any business with any banking or financial institution with respect to any of” LaDonna’s accounts.
The report said LaDonna was not in a state to remember her age or what year it was.
Gilbert Amis, an officer with the West Covina Police Department’s code enforcement division at the time, reported that a motorcycle gang had taken over the couple’s property and stolen their possessions. He claimed the gang had forced Min out of the house at some point.
St. James passed away in 2018, while LaDonna’s health deteriorated before social workers found her in a dire condition
In the ensuing attack, LaDonna lost her thumb, and St. James was brutally mauled.
Buddy and Ollie destroyed the…pic.twitter.com/1WfS563651
— Morbid Knowledge (@Morbidful)May 16, 2024
Michael McCasland, a long-time friend of the Davises, pursued legal action against Min, accusing him of exploiting LaDonna’s vulnerability and selling off their belongings.
“She just always wanted to help people,” Michael toldNBC News. “But everyone seemed to rip her off.”
Michael accused Min of gaining her trust and using his influence to sell off the couple’s valuables.
However, thebusinessmandenied these claims and presented himself as a benefactor, who simply stepped in during the couple’s time of need.
Eventually, a settlement was reached in 2022, awarding Min with $175,000 and the vehicles belonging to LaDonna.
Today, 80-year-old LaDonna lives in an elder care facility, while authorities have opted not to pursue elderabusecharges against Min.You May LikeGene Hackman Investigators Share Update On The Dogs That SurvivedRenan DuarteTitan Sub’s Eerie Last Moments Exposed In Newly Released Audio: “A Disaster Waiting To Happen"Lei RVDisney Worker Downloads Free AI Tool—Loses Job And $200,000 BonusesLei RV
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