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FINDINGS OF FACT
Some of the facts have been stipulated. The stipulations of
fact and accompanying exhibits are incorporated herein by this
reference.
Philip Meriano (Philip or decedent) died on November 14,
1977. At the time the petition was filed, Mary Orlando, who was
then administratrix of the Estate of Philip Meriano, resided in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
On July 6, 1977, a fire occurred at the residence-office of
decedent that destroyed many of his personal business records.
The Philadelphia Fire Department and the Philadelphia Police
Department determined that the fire was caused by arson. On
September 1, 1977, Philip told the Philadelphia Police Department
that $2 million in bonds and securities were missing from the
safe in the area of the residence-office that was destroyed by
the fire.
The Philadelphia Police Department, the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Attorney's Office in
Philadelphia commenced an investigation to locate the stolen
bonds and securities but were unsuccessful. They terminated
their investigation on November 29, 1977, after decedent's death.
At the time of Philip's death, it was thought that he had
died intestate. He was survived by his sister, Mary Orlando, and
his brother, James Meriano. On December 6, 1977, Mary Orlando
filed a petition for letters of administration with the Register
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