Judge formalises conservatorship proposals for Brian Wilson
In February, Brian Wilson, the original bandleader of The Beach Boys was diagnosed with dementia. The revelation came as part of conservatorship inquiries following the death of his beloved wife, Melinda, in January, which has now been formalised by a judge.
Following years of hardship related to addiction, fame and manipulation, Wilson married Melinda in 1995. The pair was deeply in love, and the musician saw her as a saviour of sorts. With his mental health declining as he navigates his 80s, Wilson’s family has taken steps to ensure his ongoing safety.
“Following the passing of Brian’s beloved wife Melinda, after careful consideration and consultation among Brian,” a statement read on Wilson’s website at the time, “his seven children, [housekeeper] Gloria Ramos and Brian’s doctors (and consistent with family processes put in place by Brian and Melinda), we are confirming that longtime Wilson family representatives LeeAnn Hard and Jean Sievers will serve as Brian’s co-conservators.”
Court documents from the conservatorship filing state Wilson “does not have the capacity to give informed consent to the administration of medications appropriate to the care and treatment of major neurocognitive disorders (including dementia).”
The documentation rules that he is “unable to properly provide for his or her personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter”. A doctor also noted that Wilson would not be able to attend a court hearing since he “often makes spontaneous irrelevant or incoherent utterances, has very short attention span and, while unintentionally disruptive, is frequently unable to maintain decorum appropriate to the situation.”
During a recent court hearing in Los Angeles, Superior Court judge Gus T May approved the petition filed by Wilson’s family. “I find from clear and convincing evidence that a conservatorship of the person is necessary,” May said during the short hearing. The court determined that Wilson consented to the course of action but lacked the ability to make important decisions regarding his healthcare.
With this, May appointed Wilson’s long-serving publicist, Jean Sievers and manager, LeeAnn Hard, as his conservators. Meanwhile, two of Wilson’s seven children, Carnie and Wendy, requested that they and their siblings be granted a group chat devoted to communications regarding their father’s health. The judge granted this, ruling that the family should be consulted on any medical matters.
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