Robert Landis Peck, 51, was found dead in his Old Town San Diego home on November 14, 2018. The cause of death was a gunshot wound inflicted by his father, 92-year-old Richard Landis Peck, who reported the shooting to a neighbor while Robert was asleep.

Richard was arrested and charged; he claimed self-defense, saying Robert had a history of psychological abuse, threats and a significant alcohol problem, and that on the night in question Robert smashed his father’s landline phone and threatened him. Richard pleaded guilty to felony voluntary manslaughter and received three years of probation, home confinement with monitoring, and a fine.

Separately, Robert’s estranged ex-wife Annette and their son Ryan filed a wrongful death suit against Richard and were awarded $9.5 million in damages. The case highlights painful family conflict, substance abuse, and contested claims of self-defense.