Family Was Told She Was Cremated. Her Foster Son Now Faces a Murder Charge

Her family was told Nadine Jett had died and been cremated. Investigators later found her remains on her own property, and her foster son now faces a murder charge.

San Diego County prosecutors announced the charge October 21 against Cedric Von Ferdinand, 34. They allege he poisoned the Valley Center attorney while acting as her caregiver, then used her identity to take money and property.

Jett had opened her home to foster children. Bianca Lucci, one of four sisters she raised, said the sisters had moved through about 10 foster homes before Jett took them in, according to local coverage of the announcement.

A Family Could Not Reach Her

Jett was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer before she disappeared in early 2024. Prosecutors say the last confirmed sighting was at a chemotherapy appointment January 14.

Her foster daughters said attempts to visit or speak with her were blocked by explanations that she was too ill, according to earlier reporting by ABC 10News. A district attorney’s investigator also described those unsuccessful visits during a preliminary hearing.

Prosecutors allege Von Ferdinand later told relatives that Jett had died in Mexico and been cremated. The sisters found the account suspicious and reported her missing in June 2024, according to the district attorney’s account.

Investigators could not obtain a death certificate supporting the explanation given to the family. The search ultimately brought deputies to her rural Valley Center property.

The Discovery Changed the Case

Jett’s remains were found there in 2025. An examination determined that her death resulted from acute fentanyl toxicity and classified the manner of death as homicide, according to prosecutors and local reporting on the death certificate.

At the October 21 announcement, District Attorney Summer Stephan said toxicology results showed an illicit form of fentanyl rather than only the medication associated with Jett’s cancer care. The criminal complaint places the alleged killing between January 14 and January 17, 2024.

Prosecutors Allege Poisoning for Financial Gain

Von Ferdinand was arrested in Los Angeles County October 20 after the murder count was filed. Prosecutors added special-circumstance allegations involving financial gain and poison. He has not been convicted of murdering Jett.

He already faced financial-crime allegations, including forgery and identity theft, involving her estate.

Prosecutors say documents purportedly signed by Jett gave him power of attorney and transferred her ranch and two Los Angeles County properties to him. They also allege that money from her bank account was used to buy another home and that funds continued to leave her accounts after her disappearance.

At an earlier hearing on the financial allegations, defense lawyers argued that Jett willingly transferred her assets.

The announcement also described an alleged marriage document bearing Jett’s identity months after prosecutors say she died. A woman accused of impersonating Jett faces forgery and identity-theft charges; prosecutors did not charge her with murder in the announcement.

A notary has separately been accused of authenticating documents with Jett’s forged signature. Preliminary-hearing testimony described a thumbprint represented as hers that investigators said belonged to Von Ferdinand.

The Murder Case

The special-circumstance allegations carry the possibility of life without parole or, if prosecutors pursue it and the legal requirements are met, capital punishment. The allegations have not been adjudicated.

Reports published October 21 said his arraignment was scheduled for October 22.

References: Son poisoned Valley Center woman for money before burying her in backyard, DA says | DA office announces murder charge in Valley Center woman’s death | New revelations in the death of Valley Center foster mother found buried outside her home | Respected attorney was battling cancer when foster son murdered her for her money, officials say

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