Callahan & Blaine

Callahan & Blaine has filed a lawsuit today in Orange County Superior Court against Richard and Kim Nicholson on behalf of the family of Maria Morse. Maria was brutally murdered on February 12, 2019 by Camden Nicholson, the Nicholsons’ 27-year-old son. For over 12 years, Maria was a housekeeper for Richard and Kim Nicholson, who were also slain at the Nicholson residence in Newport Beach, California.

Edward Susolik, senior partner at Callahan & Blaine, explains: “There is overwhelming evidence that Richard and Kim Nicholson knew that their adult son Camden was a serious threat and danger to others. Maria Morse was especially vulnerable because she was a weekly visitor to the Nicholson house for over 12 years. The Nicholsons clearly should have taken safety and security measures to protect Maria from Camden’s aggressive and erratic behavior. The Nicholsons were grossly negligent in repeatedly inviting Maria to come to their home and clean their house without taking security and safety measures, including police intervention. Ultimately, it was not a matter of if Camden was going to commit violence against Maria, it was a matter of when. ”

Mr. Susolik added: “Maria Morse, who was 62 years old at the time of her death, was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. The family members bringing the lawsuit are Wayne Morse, her husband of 26 years and her two adult daughters, Miriam Trujillo and Laura Trujillo. The family is seeking justice in the civil court for Maria’s tragic and horrific death.”

Mr. Susolik continues: “The failure of Richard and Kim Nicholson to respond to the increasingly violent and erratic behavior of their adult son is inexcusable. Camden had a long history of violent and unstable behavior, which included abusing marijuana, steroids, pornography and physically threatening his parents. In fact, Kim Nicholson was so scared of Camden that at one point in 2018 she moved out of the family home. Camden repeatedly told his mother he wanted to kill his father and harm her, and would send his parents vulgar, disturbing and hateful texts and e-mails. The family has described their son as having uncontrollable ‘roid rage” and violent and delusional behavior. It is clear that the Nicholson family knew that Camden was spiraling out of control and a danger to others, yet they continued inviting Maria to come on a weekly basis to clean their house while taking no steps to protect her safety.”

Callahan & Blaine’s lawsuit was filed today in Superior Court against the Estate of Richard Nicholson and the Estate of Kim Nicholson. Callahan & Blaine is also filing the appropriate claim with the probate court to add the personal representative of the estates of Richard Nicholson and Kim Nicholson to the Superior Court action.

The complaint for wrongful death can be read in full here.