Be the first to know with email alerts on important breaking stories from the Orlando Sentinel newsroom. Reisha Brown, a 37-year-old mother to a Florida Hardballers player, met the family through travel baseball. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Former Florida football head coach Will Muschamp reflects on Rex and Brodys personalities during his three years as their neighbor. Rex, the boys older brother, was on the top bunks mattress. But a few things about him stood out to Florida Heat coach and former MLB player Gary Sheffield: Rexs signature white vans, his bright eyes and flowy, curly hair. Fidelity said it stopped payment on the $4 million in checks it had sent to Minde Reinhart. Paul Reinhart, 46, is accused of killing his sons on May 4 before setting fire to the familys vacation home near Suwannee in western Florida and fatally shooting himself. And as he got to know him, his character. GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WCJB) - Were getting a clearer picture of how the tragedy unfolded that ended with a double murder-suicide that took the life of two young boys. Snejana Farberov Copyright 2021 WCJB. Authorities say the boys were killed by their father, 46-year-old Paul Reinhart, on May 4 before he set fire to their Dixie County home and killed himself. The mother of the men, Irenea Reinhart, 73, of Gainesville declined in a phone call to discuss her sons Paul or Erick. Erick is expected to be released from prison in September 2053. Pillar, the deputy in Gainesville, urged his Dixie County counterpart to call him on his cell phone. It stressed that it was not attempting to keep the $4 million. The security system had been disabled, so there was no video of anyone arriving or leaving. Minde Reinhart, Paul's wife, received texts from her husband early on May 5, in which he blamed her for everything When Minde arrived at couple's empty home in Gainesville, Florida, she. The event is open to the general public. The family still owns the waterfront home in Dixie County where the murders and fire occurred, according to property records. The Alachua County Sheriffs Office treated the report as third-hand information, spokesman Art Forgey said. Mrs. Reinhart declined to discuss the new lawsuit through one of her attorneys, Jeff Aaron of Gray Robinson in Orlando. View Minde Reinhart's profile for company associations, background information, and partnerships. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Paul O. Reinhart, 46, of Gainesville, is seen in this selfie he posted to his Facebook account on Sept. 13, 2019. . A final report covering the criminal investigation by two sheriffs offices and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement in the case is expected to be made public next week. He never had said he's going to kill himself or .Oh, my God. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Two attendees tearfully watch teammates and friends share their favorite memories of Rex and Brody. The mother of two boys killed by her estranged husband is asking a Florida judge to block handing over $75,000 of his wealth to his sister and brothers including one who is serving a 40-year prison sentence for an unrelated murder. RELATED STORY: Charitable fund set up in honor of Reinhart brothers , updated Konrad Reinharts lawyer estimated the estates value at $75,000 in personal property. The boys freely stumbled into former Gators football coach Will Muschamps home in his three years as their neighbor. The tragedy comes 29 months after Paul's older brother, Erick Von Reinhart, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder after stabbing his ex-wife's boyfriend, Alex Illiff, 33, in Pasco County in 2014. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Florida baseball coach Kevin OSullivan shares stories of the boys attending home games. Minde had recently filed for a divorce from Paul after nearly 20 years of marriage. Minde Reinhart, 42, of Gainesville, signaled in a newly disclosed letter from her law firm to the medical examiner's office that she expected a legal battle one that is still unfolding . Mrs. Reinhart declined to talk about the case. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. One day after the letter from Downs, Mrs. Reinharts lawyers filed aformal objectionin Alachua County Circuit Court to a pending request by one of Reinharts brothers, Konrad Reinhart, that the estate be divided among Reinharts five siblings and Mrs. Reinhart. The companys term beneficiary change form did not specify on the document that information was required. Please come home.' It took firefighters five minutes to extinguish the flames. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. "I'm so happy that I put my phone down all the time and didn't return texts and. She also was unable to track her husband's cellphone online because he had changed the password on the home computer. Mrs. Reinhart was in the process of selling the home in Gainesville where her estranged husband had been living with his sons at the time of their deaths, according to real estate records. Konrad Reinhartsrequestlisted himself, a sister and three brothers as beneficiaries before also including Mrs. Reinhart in the court papers. Meanwhile, at 6:46 a.m., Verizon reported that Paul Reinharts cell phone was turned on and closest to a tower near the familys vacation home near Suwannee. Teammates, opponents and baseball enthusiasts dressed in team shirts and hats. They arrived to find the second Reinhart home in flames. He has never eluded to what the thoughts he has had in the past were about, asked the dispatcher. I felt something abnormal and got within inches of it and found it to be a deceased small child, he wrote. Please verify address for mailing or other purposes. There was no one to save, the firefighter wrote. Supporters and mourners donned navy blue shirts branded with . Meanwhile, she is trying to collect $10 million from her husbands estate. Thomas is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org. Now its too late. He and his lawyers did not respond to phone messages this week. View Cell Phone Number View Background Report. Konrad Reinhart months ago threatened a reporter who called to ask about a related issue. A firefighter in protective gear wrote in his official report that the smoke was so thick inside he couldnt see. His brother Paul financed Ericks legal defense, said Regine Iliff, Alex's mother. This is a business registration address for three companies. We feel utterly lost and broken.'. The ripple effect of how many people are going to be affected by this is just unimaginable, neighbor Julie Nance told the outlet. Rex and Brody didnt know they were playing their last game. Brody had the heart of a lion, and Rexs determination to be the best on the field was unrivaled. Update or Upgrade Your Sustaining Gift Today! Minde Reinhart was listed on corporation records as vice president for the company. No words describe what I feel, Minde Reinhart wrote in a brief note on Facebook this week, responding to condolences from her sons youth baseball teammates. They were separated at the time and heading toward divorce. Im going to have a deputy come out and make contact with you, okay.. Copyright 2021 WCJB. In its lawsuit filed earlier this month, Fidelity said Mrs. Reinhart requested the $4 million payout through her attorney on May 14. Get Notified when Minde Reinhart's info changes. RELATED STORY: Developing: Gainesville father and sons presumed dead in suspected murder/suicide in Dixie County. Teammates, opponents and baseball enthusiasts dressed in team shirts and hats. Mrs. Reinhart was in the process of selling the home in Gainesville where her estranged husband had been living with his sons at the time of their deaths, according to real estate records. After that, he stopped answering his wife's messages and calls. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Through his lawyer, Konrad Reinhart asked to be officially appointed the estates representative, saying no person has equal or higher preference to be put in charge of distributing his brothers remaining wealth. by their father, 46-year-old Paul Reinhart, on May 4 before he set fire to their Dixie County home and killed himself. Media Advisory: Rex and Brody Reinhart Memorial Event. Reinhart generally awarded his wealth to my descendents who survive me and otherwise to my brothers and sisters. In the will, he identified Rex, 14, and Brody, 11, as his children. Konrad Reinharts lawyer estimated the estates value at $75,000 in personal property. She used the proceeds to pay off a $900,000 mortgage on the home Oct. 15, records showed. In court papers, the insurance company described itself as merely a disinterested stakeholder and said it was in danger of being exposed to multiple liability unless a judge rules in the case. 'We came out here because our friend passed away and him and his brother. Paul Reinhart, 46, of Gainesville, fatally shot the couple's young sons on May 4 before setting fire to the family's vacation home near Suwannee in western Florida and fatally shooting himself. Adjacent to Dizney Stadium and Katie Seashole Pressly . The probate case was reassigned last week to Circuit Judge Gloria R. Walker. 49, as seen in this undated prison photograph from the Florida Department of . She found roughly 400 photographs from her wedding scattered through the house. Minde Reinharts law firm wrote in a letter Aug. 3 that it anticipated litigation against Reinharts estate. She replied by text: Please dont hurt yourself or the boys. Konrad Reinharts request listed himself, a sister and three brothers as beneficiaries before also including Mrs. Reinhart in the court papers. They permitted full payouts in the instance of suicide as long as Reinhart hadnt killed himself for at least two years after buying them. He said he would have agreed to a 25-year prison sentence. His lawyer included on the list Erick Von Reinhart, 50, who pleaded guilty in an unrelated crime to fatally stabbing his own ex-wifes new boyfriend just one week after their divorce then trying to take his own life with a large kitchen knife. Erick Reinhart is serving a 40-year murder sentence in a Florida prison and could be released as early as July 2053. The 14-year-old sported the #9 on the field. His loss is profound and we are reeling.'. We owe it to them to keep our memories in us and play for them every time we take the field.. TheRex and Brody Reinhart Memorial Fund has been administered by the Community Foundation of North Central Florida. Erick left his own children, then 5 and 6, home alone during the attack, authorities said. It said she and Konrad Reinhart have agreed the money should be deposited in a bank account controlled by Fidelitys law firm until a judge decides who will receive the money. Have a tip or story idea? From ages 10 to 13, the 44-year-olds son played with Rex on the Florida Elite. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Members of the Elite Baseball team stand at the service. All rights reserved. Paul Reinhart wasnt responding to texts or calls. OK, just try not to think the worst, said an Alachua County Sheriffs Office Dispatcher on the other side of the call. Youre so selfish. GAINESVILLE An insurance company is suing the mother of two boys killed by her estranged husband over a $4 million life insurance payout,claimingshe may not have been legally entitled to receive it. 'Rex made an immediate impact on the team and in the lives of his teammates, both on and off the field,' their post read. Dixie County Sheriff's deputies received a message about the van 16 minutes later, at 6.39am. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Brodys and Rexs names and numbers were painted onto the area around home plate. He is serving a 40-year sentence in a Florida prison. One day after the letter from Downs, Mrs. Reinharts lawyers filed a formal objection in Alachua County Circuit Court to a pending request by one of Reinharts brothers, Konrad Reinhart, that the estate be divided among Reinharts five siblings and Mrs. Reinhart. It was unclear whether Reinhart received Fidelitys letter mailed from the companys life insurance offices in Atlanta before he fatally shot his sons and himself four days later. RELATED STORY: 911 call sheds light on Minde Reinharts plea for help to find her sons. Records in a related probate court case showed that Reinhart hadupdated his willon April 19, just 15 days before he killed his sons and himself, to prevent his wife from receiving any of his assets after 19 years of marriage. Last Tuesday, the boys mother, Minde Reinhart, called 911 early in the morning, concerned about her sons. Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. Paul Reinharts final text to his wife came at 5:39 a.m. Court records revealed that Paul Reinhart attempted to change two, term-life insurance policies to prevent his wife, Minde Reinhart, 42, . His home had an open backdoor policy, and they were welcome whenever they wanted. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Reinhart generally awarded his wealth to my descendants who survive me and otherwise to my brothers and sisters. In the will, he identified Rex, 14, and Brody, 11, as his children. Minde Reinhart, 42, of Gainesville told lawmakers in Tallahassee she never wanted to learn details about the deaths of her sons, Rex, 14, and Brody, 11. No answer. In that call, she explained that she was separated from her husband and that he had the two boys with him. The property deed and a $900,000 30-year mortgage borrowed in 2008 previously listed both Paul and Minde Reinharts names, but Reinharts name was removed as owner after his death, according to county records. If you call this number again it's going to be a big problem, he said in early September. This story was produced by Fresh Take Florida, a news service of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. Would have been except for that Paul and Mindee were in the beginning stages of divorce proceedings, according to friends of the family interviewed by journalist Thomas Weber. Upon extinguishing the fire, Dixie County deputies discovered three deceased individuals in the residence, a statement said. You're going to live with this the rest of your life,' reported The Gainesville Sun. It was unclear whether Reinhart received Fidelitys letter mailed from the companys life insurance offices in Atlanta before he fatally shot his sons and himself four days later. Six weeks later, the insurance company said, Konrad Reinhart asked about his brothers life insurance payments and said he should be the sole surviving beneficiary under the changes his brother had requested. . These are some of the names: Reinhart Medical LLC and Reinhart Enterprises, LLC. We need to figure out how to pitch like Rex and play like Brody forever, Barton said. Then, at 6:23 a.m., deputy Steven Pillar heard that Paul Reinharts van was at the vacation house in Dixie County, a sprawling waterfront home with a jet ski dock out back. In the probate case, Minde Reinhart filed a claim in September for $10 million against her husbands estate, citing the wrongful death by murder of her sons. The house was on fire when authorities arrived; it is not clear exactly when, or how, the deaths occurred. Your kids? (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Pastor Tim Hayse officiated the event Monday evening. Pictures and memories of Rex and Brody Reinhart were on display at Florida Ballpark Monday evening. He always answers the phone, and hes not, she said, her voice breaking. She has since shared a moving Facebook tribute to her sons as 'Angels among us.'. Her lawyers asked the judge to move the case to probate and appoint an independent person to oversee handing out Reinhart's assets. If you call this number again it's going to be a big problem, he said in early September. 'That sounds so much like Erick,' Iliff said, her voice trembling. Citing no specific evidence except her information and belief, Mrs. Reinharts lawyers told the judge that Konrad Reinhart began receiving unspecified assets from his brother shortly before the killings or as a result of Reinharts suicide. I don't know.'. She found her sons cell phones in the home, so she knew she had no way of contacting them directly or tracking their location. Fidelity wrote back to Reinhart in aletterdated April 30 saying it was unable to update his policies as requested because he failed to specify the city and state where he had signed the document, which was notarized in Gainesville. The university has yet to comment on the tragedy. More: What we know (and don't know) about apparent murder-suicide of two Florida boys and their dad. But 10 minutes later, a neighbor called 911 to report a fire raging at the Reinhart family's vacation home. The legal battle, just underway in federal court, is the latest twist in the crime earlier this year. The law firm also requested copies of the autopsy reports for Reinhart and his sons, which werereleasedearlier this week, and names of anyone else who also requested copies of the autopsies. Minde Reinhart, 42, of Gainesville, signaled in a newly disclosed letter from her law firm to the coroners office that she expected a legal battle one that is still unfolding over what was left of the estate of her dead husband, Paul Reinhart, 46. and Youre going to live with this the rest of your life.. The gates will open at 5 p.m., with the program to follow from 6-8 p.m. (Grethel Aguila/WUFT News), Florida Heat coach and former MLB player Gary Sheffield talks about Rex and Brody. Deputies there arrived minutes too late. According to independent local news station WJXT, Alachua County Sheriffs Office deputies attempted to perform a wellness check on Paul Otto Reinhart, 46, and his sons Rex Reinhart, 14, and Brody Reinhart, 11, at around 6 a.m. Tuesday. Fidelity wrote back to Reinhart in a letter dated April 30 saying it was unable to update his policies as requested because he failed to specify the city and state where he had signed the document, which was notarized in Gainesville. Deputies started their search in Alachua County on Tuesday morning, before the three bodies were discovered in the familys vacation home in Dixie County. The reporters can be reached atawilder@freshtakeflorida.comandevelazquez@freshtakeflorida.com. WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7 | Citing no specific evidence except her information and belief, Mrs. Reinharts lawyers told the judge that Konrad Reinhart began receiving unspecified assets from his brother shortly before the killings or as a result of Reinharts suicide. Elite Baseball posted about their deaths on Facebook on May 4, claiming the organization was 'heartbroken.'. The family had experienced violent tragedy already: Paul Reinhart is the younger brother of a convicted murderer who also tried to take his own life in a similarly violent household attack seven years ago. ', In court papers, Erick described himself as diagnosed with a 'major depressive disorder and severe anxiety.'. 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