The parents of a 27-year-old Long Beach woman who was killed by her fiance in 2020 are suing the man as well as two of his family members, saying the man failed to take his medications the day the woman died.
Long Beach Superior Court Judge James D. Otto ruled in December that 37-year-old Colin Chandler Wolters, who had pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in the death of Chelsea Smith, was insane at the time of the incident.
Wolters as well as two of his family members, Matthew and Margaret Wolters, are named as defendants in the Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit filed Monday by Smith’s parents, David and Dianna Smith. The suit does not state the relationship between Wolters and his two relatives.
The killing occurred March 16, 2020, at the couple’s apartment in the 4600 block of Whitewood Avenue in the Lakewood Village area.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene by Long Beach Fire Department personnel.
All of the defendants knew or should have known of Colin Wolters’ alleged mental illness and violent propensity, but failed to warn Chelsea Smith, the suit states.
Colin Wolters negligently failed to take his medications the day of the incident “in reckless disregard for the probability that his violent propensity would increase causing serious injury to decedent,” the suit states.
Chelsea Smith’s parents have lost the care, comfort, society and love of their daughter while sustaining expenses, including funeral costs, the suit states.
