Parents seek insurance payment in sons mysterious death

Parents seek insurance payment in sons mysterious death

By The Associated Press

SHELTON, Mason County — The adoptive parents of a 12-year-old Lacey boy who drowned under suspicious circumstances are demanding two insurance companies pay them $650,000 in death benefits.

But at least one of the insurers says it won't pay while the parents are still being investigated in Shawn Lowrance's 1999 death.

"Homicide investigation and circumstances raise serious issues as to whether (the parents) procured the policy under a fraudulent scheme or for unlawful purposes," Farmers New World Life Insurance Co. wrote in a lawsuit asking a Mason County Superior Court judge to void its $400,000 life insurance policy for Shawn Lowrance.

John and Melanie Lowrance have not been charged in Shawn's death.

But the homicide investigation remains open, according to Mason County Sheriff's Inspector Mike Frank.

Shawn Lowrance died while on a fishing trip with his adoptive father and a friend on Oct. 9, 1999, about a year after he had been adopted. At first, his death was ruled an accident. But a tip from the insurance companies about the unusually large insurance policies prompted Mason County to open a criminal investigation.

According to Frank, detectives uncovered some unsettling details about the Lowrances' financial history and the details of the fishing trip. They learned about the Lowrances' long history of money problems, including two bankruptcies.

On the fishing trip, detectives said, John Lowrance separated the two boys and later asked the friend to help him look for Shawn. They found Shawn in a pool of water about 5 or 6 feet deep. John Lowrance made the other boy enter the icy water to retrieve Shawn's body, detectives said.

Allen Ressler, an attorney for Melanie Lowrance, told The News Tribune of Tacoma the time for the insurance companies to pay is "long past due." He said there's no evidence to suggest Shawn was slain, and the ongoing investigation doesn't mean the insurers shouldn't pay the claim.

"The case should be wrapped up," Ressler said. "Every indication is that it was an accidental death."

Mutual of Omaha also had a life insurance policy for Shawn, but has not filed suit.

The lawsuit filed by Farmers says Melanie Lowrance paid the premium on Shawn's policy in July 1999 while she was falling behind on other policies, and sought payment five days after the boy's death.

Insurance experts say a $650,000 life insurance policy for a child is highly unusual. Sometimes parents buy insurance as an investment for children but it rarely tops $50,000.

Ressler said the Lowrances "fell victim of the propaganda that was foisted on them" by the insurance industry.