Hotelier widow death deemed homicide, reversing previous ruling, in twist to sordid case

Hotelier widow death ruled slaying in sordid case

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A Florida medical examiner has reversed his ruling that the death of a prominent hotelier’s widow was an accident.

Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper says he ruled Thursday that 87-year-old Bernice Novack death in 2009 was a homicide. The ruling comes a day after the woman’s daughter-in-law was accused in open court of plotting the beating death.

Bernice Novack, whose husband founded Miami’s famed Fontainebleau Hotel, died of blunt force injuries to the head at her Fort Lauderdale home. It was initially ruled an accident.

Narcy Novack is charged with orchestrating the death of her wealthy husband Ben Novack, who was Bernice Novack’s son. Prosecutors said in court Wednesday that Narcy Novack planned both deaths to collect millions from their wills.

Police said Thursday that Narcy Novack has not been charged in the older woman’s death.