Howard Hughes' death in 1976 sparked a major controversy over his will, involving Melvin Dummar, a Nevada gas station operator who claimed to have rescued Hughes and was named a beneficiary in a mysterious will. Despite legal battles and investigations, the authenticity of the will remains disputed, with Hughes' true estate value and the fate of his fortune still subjects of intrigue.
Howard Hughes, a legendary figure in aviation, business, and Las Vegas history, passed away on April 5, 1976. His death unleashed one of the most fascinating and enduring mysteries surrounding his will and estate. Central to this mystery is Melvin Dummar, a Nevada gas station operator who claimed an extraordinary connection to Hughes and was named in a will that surfaced after Hughes' death.
Melvin Dummar's story is as unusual as it is captivating. According to Dummar, while driving a meat delivery route in the Nevada desert near the famous Bunny Ranch brothel, he found a disheveled old man lying by the roadside. He stopped, helped the man, and drove him into Las Vegas. This man, Dummar claimed, was Howard Hughes himself.
Years later, a will surfaced, known as the "Mormon Will" because it was delivered to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) headquarters in Salt Lake City. This will named Melvin Dummar as a beneficiary, granting him one-sixteenth of Hughes' estate. The will's sudden appearance and Dummar's involvement sparked a massive legal battle and public intrigue.
The will was delivered in an envelope to the LDS church, but questions arose about its authenticity. Harold Rhoden, attorney for Noah Dietrich (Hughes' longtime aide), interrogated Dummar, who tearfully admitted to delivering the will envelope himself, contradicting earlier reports that a mysterious blonde woman had done so.
Handwriting experts examined the will and the envelope, concluding that Dummar himself had written the envelope, though he denied authoring the will. The Nevada Attorney General's office investigated the possibility of forgery, with Dummar as a leading suspect.
During the trial, attorneys challenged Dummar's story, presenting witnesses who claimed Hughes was never alone and always accompanied by aides. Dummar's Mormon faith was also questioned, with attorneys accusing him of using religion to bolster his credibility. Despite the pressure, Dummar maintained his story.
Howard Hughes' impact on Las Vegas was profound. After arriving discreetly at the Desert Inn Hotel, Hughes began purchasing casinos and vast tracts of land, including what is now Summerlin, Nevada. His investments helped legitimize corporate ownership of casinos, paving the way for the modern Las Vegas we know today.
Hughes also owned the CBS television station in Las Vegas, KLAS-TV, and was known for his eccentric behavior, such as repeatedly requesting movies to be restarted during broadcasts.
Initial speculation valued Hughes' estate at $2.5 billion, but an inventory report filed shortly after his death estimated it at approximately $168 million. This discrepancy raised questions about missing assets or undervalued holdings.
The estate included seven Nevada hotel casinos, airline interests, and vast land holdings. However, ongoing litigation and debts complicated the estate's valuation.
Ultimately, the court rejected the Mormon Will presented by Melvin Dummar. Hughes' estate was distributed among distant family members and charitable donations, including contributions to medical institutes.
Melvin Dummar continued to tell his story for decades. He moved to Brigham City, Utah, and later to Perump, Nevada, where he lived a quiet life, delivering meat and groceries to small towns. He was known as a kind and simple man, not the mastermind behind the will.
Dummar even left a voicemail in 2015, expressing his ongoing interest in the story and his efforts to help senior citizens.
Despite the court's decision and investigations, the mystery of Howard Hughes' will remains unresolved. Some believe Dummar was used as a conduit by others seeking to claim part of Hughes' fortune. Others argue that Dummar's story about rescuing Hughes in the desert is true, supported by accounts from individuals who flew Hughes to Nevada brothels.
The division of the estate into sixteen parts in the will, with Dummar receiving one-sixteenth, suggests a calculated attempt to distribute the fortune among select beneficiaries.
The saga of Howard Hughes' will and Melvin Dummar's claim is a captivating chapter in Las Vegas history. It intertwines themes of mystery, legal drama, and the enigmatic personality of Hughes himself. While the courts dismissed the Mormon Will, the story continues to fascinate and influence perceptions of Hughes' legacy and the development of Las Vegas.
For those interested in exploring this story further, archival interviews and reports provide deeper insights into the characters and events that shaped this enduring mystery.
This story remains a testament to the complexities of wealth, legacy, and human intrigue surrounding one of America's most enigmatic figures.
