Elliott Smith Girlfriend Loses Claim to Estate

Jennifer Chiba, girlfriend of the late singer/songwriter lost her claim to a portion of his estate in a California appellate court case last week. She was seeking more than a million dollars due to the couple having "lived together, shared equally their earnings and property and held themselves out to the public as husband and wife," as well as an alleged promise by Smith that he'd "support [her] for the rest of her life." Furthermore, she claims to have acted as his manager/booking agent, which she believed entitled her to 15% of his earnings. (The latter claim was rebuked due to her acting as an unlicensed talent agent under California's Talent Agencies Act.)

Chiba, who was present when Smith died from two penetrating stab wounds, admitted to pulling the knife from his chest, but has proclaimed her innocence in his death; his family doubts her assertions. (A coroner's report could not determine whether the wounds were self-inflicted.) This past Sunday, Oct 21st, was the fourth anniversary of Smith's passing. He was 34.