A Year of Loss, Legal Battles, and Unanswered Questions: The Case of John Maxey Yeager
One year ago, the quiet community of Los Gatos was shattered by the news of Yingying Yu’s tragic death. Her husband, John Maxey Yeager, stands accused of strangling her on New Year’s Eve 2023, a crime he reportedly confessed to under police questioning. Now, as Yeager awaits trial on charges of felony false imprisonment and murder, the legal battles surrounding Yu’s estate have begun, painting a complex picture of a troubled relationship marked by alleged abuse, broken promises, and a desperate struggle for financial security.
A preliminary hearing held on December 30, 2024, resulted in Judge Franklin Bondonno ruling there was sufficient evidence to proceed with Yeager’s trial. The prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney O’Bryan Kenney, presented key evidence including video footage and Yu’s autopsy report. While Yeager pleaded not guilty in November 2024, the judge also confirmed the "use of a deadly weapon" allegation. However, six other special circumstances allegations remain unaddressed, leaving lingering questions about the full extent of the charges Yeager might ultimately face.
Meanwhile, Yu’s estate, represented by attorney Stephen Picone of Picone & Defilippis, has initiated a series of civil lawsuits against Yeager. These suits reveal a troubling financial backdrop to the tragedy, with allegations of broken agreements concerning properties in both Washington state and Los Gatos. The first lawsuit centers around a home in Port Ludlow, Washington, that Yeager allegedly promised to Yu in March 2023 in exchange for her agreement not to seek further support from him. This agreement, documented in writing, was allegedly violated by Yeager’s actions on December 31, 2023, leaving Yu’s estate to fight for ownership of the property, now estimated to be worth $1.2 million.
Adding another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings is a second lawsuit filed by Yu’s estate, this one alleging wrongful death. The suit paints a harrowing picture of Yu’s final moments, claiming she was “chased, threatened, falsely imprisoned, abused, and strangled to death with a rope,” all while her young children were present in the home. This lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, battery, and wrongful death, encompassing not only the tangible costs associated with Yu’s death but also the immeasurable loss of love, companionship, and comfort suffered by her family.
Further complicating matters is a third lawsuit filed by the estate, focused on a property in Los Gatos located at 285 Hershner Court. This suit alleges that Yeager agreed to sell the Los Gatos residence and purchase a new home jointly owned by both parties. Furthermore, the agreement stipulated that if the property was not sold by 2031, Yeager would owe Yu $400,000. With Yu’s untimely death, the estate now seeks to enforce this agreement, requesting a lien on the Los Gatos house, damages exceeding $400,000, and a 50% interest in the property.
The confluence of these lawsuits paints a picture of a deeply troubled relationship marked by alleged abuse, broken promises, and financial disputes. The civil filings, alongside the ongoing criminal proceedings, provide a glimpse into the final months of Yingying Yu’s life, revealing a struggle for safety, security, and a stable future for her children. As the legal battles unfold, the court will grapple not only with the facts of Yu’s death but also with the complex web of agreements and broken promises that preceded it.
The legal proceedings surrounding Yeager’s criminal charges and the civil suits filed by Yu’s estate will likely continue for an extended period. While the preliminary hearing has established sufficient evidence for a murder trial, the unresolved special circumstance allegations loom large. Simultaneously, the three civil suits will delve into the intricate details of the couple’s financial dealings and the alleged breaches of contract that have left Yu’s estate seeking redress. These interwoven legal threads, when untangled, will hopefully provide a clearer picture of the events leading up to Yingying Yu’s tragic death and offer a measure of justice for her and her children.
