Foster Son Accused of Poisoning Cancer-Stricken Mother, Burying Her on Her Ranch and Trying to Hide Grave With Rosebush

A California man is accused of poisoning his foster mother, burying her body on her own property and allegedly exploiting her death to take control of hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets. Investigators say the suspect even asked a prospective buyer to plant roses in an area of the ranch where authorities later discovered the woman’s remains.

Cedric Von Ferdinand, 34, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the death of Nadine Jett, a 65-year-old retired family law attorney who was battling pancreatic cancer when she disappeared in January 2024.

Prosecutors allege that Von Ferdinand killed Jett for financial gain and used poison to carry out the crime. He denies the allegations and maintains his innocence, according to his attorney.

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan described the case as “deadly greed,” saying investigators believe Jett’s trust in her foster son was exploited during one of the most vulnerable periods of her life.

Cancer Patient Disappears After Her Final Known Appointment

Jett was last seen alive on January 14, 2024, when she attended a chemotherapy appointment, according to prosecutors. Investigators believe she was killed sometime between that day and January 17.

At the time, Jett was living on a roughly 20-acre ranch in Valley Center, California. She had spent years caring for children as a foster mother and had also built a career as a family law attorney before retiring.

Her disappearance raised questions among the people closest to her, particularly her foster daughters, who reportedly became suspicious after hearing an explanation from Von Ferdinand.

According to investigators, he allegedly told them that Jett had died in Mexico and had been cremated. However, he could not provide a death certificate to substantiate the claim.

The sisters became concerned and reported Jett missing in June 2024, setting off an investigation that would eventually uncover evidence far more disturbing than a missing-person case.

Authorities now allege that the story about her death and cremation was part of an effort to conceal what had happened to her.

Remains Found Buried Near Her Home

In July 2025, investigators searching Jett’s property discovered her remains wrapped in a bedsheet and buried in a hole approximately six feet deep. The makeshift grave was located roughly 30 yards from the residence, authorities said.

The discovery transformed the investigation into a homicide case.

According to District Attorney Summer Stephan, a medical patch Jett had received on January 14 was still on her body. She was supposed to remove the patch after approximately 27 hours, a detail investigators considered when reconstructing the timeline of her disappearance.

Toxicology testing later detected a fatal amount of acetylfentanyl, a substance prosecutors said is commonly found in illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

The medical examiner determined that Jett died from acute fentanyl toxicity and classified her death as a homicide.

Prosecutors now allege that Von Ferdinand poisoned her before burying her remains on the ranch. Those allegations have not yet been proven at trial.

A Hole Dug in the Middle of the Night

Investigators also examined activity on the property around the time Jett vanished.

According to prosecutors, someone was asked on January 16, 2024, to dig a hole measuring approximately six feet by six feet. The dimensions reportedly matched the grave where Jett’s remains were eventually found.

One of Jett’s foster daughters, Paris Lucci, shared another troubling detail with local media while describing the investigation into the ranch’s attempted sale.

A real estate agent reportedly told investigators that Von Ferdinand had asked a prospective buyer to plant rosebushes in a particular area of the property.

Lucci told local CBS affiliate KFMB that another person interviewed during the investigation said Von Ferdinand had been digging in the same area between midnight and approximately 3 a.m.

The reported request to plant roses has become one of the most striking details in the case because the location was allegedly connected to the hidden grave.

Investigators have not publicly established every detail surrounding the request, but prosecutors say the evidence helps explain how the property may have been used to conceal Jett’s remains.

Prosecutors Allege Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars Were Stolen

The alleged killing is only one part of the case against Von Ferdinand. Investigators also accuse him of taking substantial sums from Jett’s accounts and attempting to transfer her property into his own name.

According to prosecutors, three certificates of deposit worth approximately $677,000 were taken from Jett’s accounts.

Authorities also allege that Von Ferdinand arranged two wire transfers from her account to an escrow company, using the funds to purchase a home in Gardena, California.

By December 2024, prosecutors said, Jett’s accounts had allegedly been emptied.

Investigators also discovered quitclaim deeds purporting to bear Jett’s signature and transferring several properties to Von Ferdinand. Authorities believe those documents were likely signed after her death.

The alleged financial activity has become a major part of the investigation because prosecutors contend that Von Ferdinand stood to benefit from Jett’s estate.

The defense, however, previously argued during proceedings that Jett had willingly transferred money and properties to him. The competing claims will need to be evaluated through the legal process.

Alleged Fake Will and Marriage Documents

Investigators say the suspected scheme may have extended to documents that would give Von Ferdinand control over Jett’s estate.

Authorities reportedly discovered a will allegedly signed by Jett that named Von Ferdinand as executor and sole beneficiary.

A notary journal contained a thumbprint beside Jett’s purported signature. Investigators said the print actually matched Von Ferdinand.

Authorities also uncovered a purported marriage certificate stating that Von Ferdinand and Jett had married. The document was signed and notarized on May 18, 2024—months after the period when prosecutors believe Jett was killed.

Prosecutors allege that another woman, Kimberley Pifer, impersonated Jett in connection with the paperwork. Pifer faces separate charges involving forgery and identity theft.

A notary public, Raymond Joseph Alto, was also charged in connection with allegedly notarizing documents bearing Jett’s forged signature.

These allegations remain separate legal matters, and the charges against each individual must be assessed independently.

Foster Daughters Remember the Woman Who Gave Them a Home

For Jett’s foster daughters, the case represents the loss of someone who played a central role in their lives.

Bianca Lucci told local media that Jett took her and her sisters in after they had moved through approximately 10 foster homes.

“She was the mom we needed. She gave us a fair chance at life,” Lucci said, according to Times of San Diego.

The family has expressed hope that the criminal proceedings will bring accountability and answers about what happened to Jett.

Authorities allege that Von Ferdinand took advantage of a woman who was seriously ill and depended on people close to her. The district attorney said the investigation involved cooperation among multiple law enforcement agencies and required months of work to piece together the circumstances surrounding Jett’s disappearance and death.

Murder Charge Filed as Case Moves Forward

Von Ferdinand was arrested on October 20, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder. Prosecutors also filed special-circumstance allegations that the killing was committed for financial gain and by administering poison.

If convicted, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if prosecutors pursue capital punishment.

His attorney has said he denies the allegations and maintains his innocence. The case is now moving through the court system, where prosecutors will be required to prove their claims.

For investigators, the case links a missing cancer patient, a hidden grave and alleged financial transactions that continued after her disappearance. For Jett’s family, it is a search for justice after the loss of a woman who had offered them stability and care.

The most disturbing questions—how Jett died, what happened during her final days and whether the alleged financial scheme was planned around her death—will be addressed as the case proceeds.

Sources: Law&Crime