Tragic Incident at King Gillette Ranch: Family Reaches Multi-Million Dollar Settlement
A tragic incident at King Gillette Ranch in California resulted in the death of eight-year-old Lamar McGlothurn after a 100-pound branch fell on him while he was at a picnic table. The family of the young boy has reached a multi-million dollar settlement with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), who accepted financial responsibility for the incident. The settlement amount totals $14,350,000, with additional payments from Gomez Landscape & Tree Care and Camp Wildcraft amounting to $300,000.
The MRCA spokesperson expressed condolences to the McGlothurn family and acknowledged the immense loss they have suffered. The settlement aims to provide some comfort to the family in the wake of Lamar's tragic death. In addition to the settlement with the family, MRCA also paid $4,650,000 to six other parties who were injured in the incident. Among the injured were an 11-year-old girl with a broken leg, a 5-year-old with head lacerations, a 73-year-old man with a concussion, and a 22-year-old man with head and arm bruises.
Reports indicate that a branch from the same tree had fallen earlier in the week before the fatal incident, raising concerns about the tree's condition. Camp Wildcraft had relocated to King Gillette Ranch following damage from the Palisades wildfires in 2025. The tragic event has led to a significant settlement for the McGlothurn family and serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in public spaces.