One of Dia Abrams’ properties being sold

The liquidation of the estate assets of missing Garner Valley resident
Dia Abrams began last week as a judge approved the sale of the first of
Abram’s three local real estate holdings. Court-appointed Trustee
Richard Munro applied for permission to accept the higher of two offers
made on Abrams’ house on Tool Box Springs Road, and this was granted by
Palm Springs Judge Russel Velasquez March 8.

According to Munro’s declaration, the mortgage has been in default since
“before the trustee was appointed,” which happened in March 2023.
Mortgage statements submitted earlier as evidence showed those payments
stopped in May 2020, the month before Dia disappeared. The new
declaration states that the lender, JPMorgan Chase, put the loan in
“pre-foreclosure status” since about April 2020. The lender, Munro
states, has cooperated “in light of the anticipated sale.” The
declaration mentions that the property is not generating any income, and
substantial sums have been spent by the trustee to maintain and prepare
if for sale.

The house is descents to contractors for emptying and inspecting two
septic tanks, landscaping cleanup, repairing a leaking underground gas
line, repairing interior plumbing and plumbing to horse paddocks. Munro
also said the property is in “jeopardy of depreciating in value due to
deferred maintenance” and is draining the trust’s cash reserves.

The declaration states that the listing generated 87 inquiries and was
shown to 29 potential buyers. It was listed in August 2023 for $998,000,
reduced in September to $925,000, and again reduced to $850,000 in
October. The trustee also offered an increase in the commission from 4%
to 5% to “attract greater buyer agent interest.” In February of this
year, two offers were received, one for $830,000 and a “back-up” offer
for $825,000.

The trust will continue to operate until June 6, 2025, at which date,
unless she reappears, Abrams will be legally presumed dead. Her estate
would then be divided, with 50% going to her two adult children, Crisara
and Clinton, and 50% going to Keith Harper, the man named as trustee in
a trust filed weeks before her disappearance. Harper claims to have been
Dia’s fiancé. He was removed as trustee last year and evicted from
Abrams’ Bonita Vista Ranch, finally leaving the property in late January
of this year.

Dia’s son, Clinton Abrams, has shared his thoughts about his mother’s
disappearance with the Crier recently and agreed to answer a few
questions by email. Although not involved in the details of the sale, he
said of Munro: “He deeply adheres to his values as a trustee, namely,
efficiency, privacy and neutrality, and is doing an excellent job.”

Dia’s estate includes two other properties, her Bonita Vista Ranch on
117-1/2 acres, and the 15-acre Sky High Ranch, with a mobile home. Asked
about Sky High, Clinton responded, “Sky High is on the market. The
details of what is going on with that property are unknown to me, but it
would seem to be a logical next step in the tragic liquidation of my
mother’s estate. I use the word ‘tragic’ because we still do not have
answers regarding what happened to my mother. I have never had a chance
to say goodbye to her.”

Asked whether the family intends to hold on to Bonita Vista Ranch,
Clinton answered, “I cannot speak for my sister, but I would like to
hold onto the property for as long as we do not know what happened to
Dia. Until we know with finality what occurred, I don’t see how we can
sell her primary residence and the home and property on which my mother,
father, and whole family built so many memories and into which placed so
many resources. I was around 12 years old when I would go with my mom to
look at which property she wanted to purchase as a ranch for our family.
I was there when she chose Bonita Vista Ranch and closed escrow on it.

“I have many memories of sitting quietly with my mother marveling as
deer and other wildlife came and interacted so closely with us, prior to
the main house being built and after. Many holidays with my family were
spent at that property. I believe that it is incumbent on all of us,
myself first and foremost, to obtain real answers before we dispose of
what became my mom’s life work, pride, and joy. I would often go to her
property to watch meteor showers with my mom. The sky was always so
clear. To sell it without knowing what happened would inflict an
irreparable wound to her memory. She poured her heart into that land,
defended it against wildfires and floods, utilized it to save animals in
need and help so many. She refused to leave her property and her animals
even as her very own life was at risk. Saying goodbye to the property is
in essence saying goodbye to my mother for eternity, and it is a step
that should never be taken lightly irrespective of financial
considerations.”

Finally, we asked him if he believes that his recent statement through
the Crier had produced any responses to the trustee’s Tip Line
(diatips.org or 1(833)DIA-TIPS.)

“I believe wholeheartedly that your recent Town Crier article has had a
major impact. Absolute legal privilege exists for anyone who calls on
the tip-line for the $300,000 reward. Safety and anonymity are
paramount. Therefore, while I have no information about what has come
in, I believe through my private conversations with locals that more
people are stepping forward with potent information. I have real hope.

“I attribute much, if not all of it, to your recent piece that ran in
the Town Crier that allowed me to explain the mechanics of how the
$300,000 reward works and to illustrate that it is very much a real
$300,000 cash reward and on the table for anyone to take. Even if the
individual providing the information is in some way culpable for Dia’s
disappearance, the $300,000 reward will be granted to them and I will
advocate for extreme leniency on their behalf should anything arise. All
I want is answers, I don’t care from whom they arrive. The smallest
detail or morsel of information could be what unravels the entire
mystery of Dia’s disappearance.”