Bronwyn podcast: Jon Winfield put himself first when distributing his late neighbour’s wealth

Jon Winfield may have breached his obligations as executor in the will of a woman who left him a shock multimillion-dollar inheritance, by delaying a payment to a second beneficiary.

Beverley Brooker, right, at a gathering for her 50th birthday. Beverley changed her will six months before she died, leaving almost everything to her handyman, Jon Winfield.

Murder suspect Jon Winfield may have breached his obligations as executor of the will of a woman who left him a shock multimillion-dollar inheritance by delaying a payment to a second beneficiary.

Mr Winfield was transferred ownership of the late Beverley Brooker’s townhouse with ocean views at Skennars Head in northern NSW seven months after she died.

But it took more than two years for the only other beneficiary, Brooker’s cousin, Cathy Hardy, to be informed of the death and that she had been left $200,000.

Bronwyn and Jon Winfield. Bronwyn went missing in 1993.

Attwood Marshall Lawyers partner Lucy McPherson said executors generally had a year to complete administration of an estate.

“The administration of this estate does not appear complicated and there does not appear to have been any litigation involving the estate,” Ms McPherson said.

“Mr Winfield has potentially breached his obligations as there does not seem to be a genuine reason for the delay in distributing the cousin’s entitlement. And it doesn’t appear as though interest has been paid on the legacy either.”

Brooker’s assets are estimated to have been worth several million dollars and included the double-storey Skennars Head townhouse and two new cars.

The Australian’s investigative podcast, Bronwyn, revealed that Brooker’s brothers had been stunned to discover she left almost all of her estate to the handyman in charge of her renovations, Mr Winfield.

Brooker had mesothelioma that spread to her brain and she died in St Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore in September 2022 at the age of 71.

She had changed her will six months earlier to make Mr Winfield the prime beneficiary and executor.

Mr Winfield, 70, lived in his own home nearby and had offered to do handyman work for her.

He was not in her previous will, prepared in 2011, which had left everything to her cousin, Ms Hardy.

After the Bronwyn podcast last week revealed the change in wills, Ms Hardy and husband Les said Mr Winfield kept them in the dark for years about Brooker’s death.

The couple received a voice message in October 2022 from a male caller using Brooker’s phone, telling them to no longer use the number but not explaining why.

They live in regional Victoria and discovered Brooker had died only when they received a call from a solicitor’s office in October last year, advising Ms Hardy was a beneficiary.

Ms Hardy was unaware until it was revealed in the podcast that she was sole beneficiary in Brooker’s previous will.

She is now considering a legal challenge to overturn the change, describing Mr Winfield’s actions as “devious”.

An estate litigation specialist, Ms McPherson said executors who did not fulfil their obligations could face NSW Supreme Court legal action and adverse cost orders.

Deteriorating health, unsoundness of mind and undue influence were among potential grounds for challenging a will, she said.

The podcast is examining the 1993 disappearance and suspected murder of Mr Winfield’s estranged wife, Bronwyn, 31.

Bronwyn was on the verge of divorcing Mr Winfield, setting up a likely bitter fight over their assets.

Mr Winfield is a longtime police suspect in the disappearance but has always denied any involvement.

Do you know more about this case? Contact Hedley Thomas on [e-mail]