Walter Samaszko Jr. died alone, leaving enough gold pigeonholed in his house to fill two wheelbarrows. Bullion value alone is estimated to be $7 million; numismatic value may be much higher.
This guy had been dead inside his home for about a month before authorities found the body. He also left no will and only one living relative, a cousin who didn't have any idea what was in the house.
The irony is that if this bitter recluse of a man had been a little less of a bitter recluse, he could have transferred a substantial portion of his gold to someone else without anyone being the wiser. In the end, his attempt to keep his wealth out of the ebil gummint's hands had just the opposite result.Samaszko was “anti-government,” a recluse and a hoarder. “He never went to a doctor,” [Clerk/Recorder Alan Glover] said. “He was obsessed with getting diseases from shots.” There were a few conspiracy theory books in the home along with several guns, and supplies including dozens of cans of tuna and salmon among other things.
Glover said [the IRS] may want up to 75 percent of the total depending on whether Samaszko and his mother filed correct returns over the years. He said the taxman wants a minimum of $800,000.
