Andrew Findlay’s body was found washed up on rocks in one of Sydney’s ritziest suburbs after a boating accident. Now there’s been a sad development
- Andrew Findlay died in a boating accident last year
- Now his family is at war over his $20 million estate
The former partner of a Sydney businessman who died in a boating accident has filed a lawsuit over his $20 million estate.
Andrew Findlay’s body was found washed up on rocks near The Gap in Watson’s Bay, in the city’s eastern suburbs, a week after he went missing on July 27, 2023.
Police believe the 51-year-old and his friend Tim Klingender, an art dealer, were not wearing life jackets when a freak wave hit their 7.8-metre Brig inflatable boat during a fishing expedition.
The men died when the ship struck rocks.
Now his ex-partner Liz Kemp has launched a civil case in NSW High Council to have his 2015 will – in which she is named as the sole executor and beneficiary – recognized by the court.
The body of tech entrepreneur Andrew Findlay (pictured with his children) who disappeared a week ago after a boating accident near Sydney Harbor has been found
Pictured: Liz Kemp with her ex-husband, cricket legend Brett Lee. They have one child together
The couple have three children together and separated in 2019. The divorce resulted in an asset settlement in 2021, after which Ms Kemp bought a $4.2 million home in Balgowlah.
Mr Findlay left the settlement with a mid-century designer property called Camelot in Centennial Park, which was last bought in 2012 for $4 million but is now worth about $20 million.
His family will allege that Mr Findlay made an informal will in 2019 naming his children as beneficiaries of his estate, but which was not legally signed or witnessed. Sydney Morning Herald.
In that document, the businessman’s nephew, David Findlay, was appointed executor and administrator of the estate until his children turn 18. He is the defendant in Mrs. Kemp’s case.
Andrew Findlay’s estate includes a $20 million estate in Centennial Park called Camelot (pictured)
Camelot (pictured) was bought for around $4 million in 2012 but is now worth around $20 million
According to the publication, Mr. Findlay emailed his cousin on June 5, 2019, saying, “This is my new will. I still need to get it signed [lawyer] Emma Grimes, but I plan to [to].’
“I just sent you the will because I haven’t changed it with my lawyer yet. If I were to be under a bus between now and then, at least my wishes would be clear.”
Mr. Findlay’s family claims that a week after sending that email, he told his lawyer that he had recently changed his will.
Ms Kemp’s lawyers say he knew the execution requirements of a will and failed to execute the informal 2019 will despite regular consultation with lawyers.
Ms Kemp was married to Australian cricket legend Brett Lee, with whom she shares a son.
At the time of his death, Mr Findlay was in a relationship with clothing store owner Lakshi Pillai.
Lakshmi Pillai was in a relationship with Andrew Findlay (pictured together) when he died
The ship tragedy also claimed the life of prominent indigenous art dealer Tim Klingender (right)
On his birthday in August last year, she wrote on social media: “Congratulations on the BEST. I miss you so deeply.’
Mr Findlay and Mr Klingender had gone fishing at around 7.30am on July 20, 2023, when their boat was smashed against the rocks by five-metre waves.
Mr Klingender was wearing only socks when his body was uncovered among rubble strewn among the rocks beneath Jacobs Ladder at South Head.
Dangerous conditions that weekend meant police were unable to recover evidence from the ship, and the search for Mr Findlay was scaled back on the assumption he was dead.
His body was found almost a week later.
