Astronomer leaves £400k to lucky ‘best’ mate’

But while medical records show he had dementia, the opposing side says Mr Panther’s condition was improving in hospital. Mr Panther had also written a will back in 1986, in which he left almost all of his fortune, including his home, to the BAA.

He also left some cash to two friends. His friend Colin Eaton was also named executor of the will and was left £10,000 and the astronomer’s optical and meteorological charts and equipment. But Mr Gibbs, from Northampton, argues that while he was in Northampton General Hospital, Mr Panther had dictated a new will that left everything to him.

Dated September 11, 2016, the will states that “if I die”, his estate would go to “my best mate” which Mr Gibbs says must be him, the Daily Mail reports.Mr Gibbs’ barrister, Chris Bryden, in documents filed at Central London County Court ahead of next year’s trial, said: “Mr Gibbs and the deceased were lifelong friends, having known each other for around 77 years. 

“They shared a keen interest in astronomy and together established an observatory. The deceased purchased the premises and Mr Gibbs provided equipment for this observatory. It is admitted and averred that the 2016 will does not refer to Mr Gibbs by name but rather to ‘best mate’. However the compelling inference is that the deceased by this phrase was referring to Mr Gibbs.

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Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1701050/stargazer-roy-panther-baa-comet-northampton