Family of Alice Bolen secures $1 million civil settlement following murder by husband

The civil resolution comes on the heels of a parallel criminal case in which Wayne Leonetti pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison earlier this year

VANCOUVER — The family of Alice Bolen has secured a $1 million civil settlement against her husband, Wayne Leonetti, who killed her in their Ridgefield home in June 2023. The civil resolution comes on the heels of a parallel criminal case in which Leonetti pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison earlier this year.

Alice Bolen, 80, was killed in what has been described as a tragic and senseless act of domestic violence. On June 28, 2023, Leonetti called 9-1-1 and told the dispatcher, “I killed my wife.” Responding deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office found Alice deceased in the couple’s home. Leonetti surrendered after a brief standoff and was arrested.

According to court documents, Leonetti stated he had choked his wife and had previously been hospitalized for suicidal ideation. Alice had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Leonetti claimed a post-traumatic reaction related to past losses, but the court ultimately rejected any insanity defense. On May 14, 2025, he entered a guilty plea, and two days later, he was sentenced to serve over a decade in prison for the murder of his wife.

On the civil side, the Bolen family filed suit shortly after the killing, asserting claims for wrongful death and seeking to prevent Leonetti from shielding or hiding his financial assets. “From the outset, we were determined to secure justice and prevent Mr. Leonetti from hiding or dissipating assets,” said attorney Angus Lee, who represented the family in the civil case. “That’s why we immediately sought and obtained a court order freezing his investment accounts. This allowed us to preserve funds for the benefit of the victim’s family.”

The civil litigation was hard-fought and culminated in a decisive ruling by Clark County Superior Court Judge Camara Banfield. Shortly after Leonetti’s criminal conviction, Judge Banfield granted the plaintiffs’ motion for summary judgment on liability, holding Leonetti civilly liable for Alice Bolen’s death as a matter of law. With liability established, the only remaining issue was the amount of damages to be awarded. The case settled for $1,000,000 shortly thereafter.

“This was a senseless act of violence,” said Lee. “No settlement can undo the damage, but this resolution brings both closure and a measure of justice for the Bolen family. The outcome reflects our commitment to holding people accountable when they take the life of another.”

Lee, a seasoned civil rights attorney, emphasized the significance of the court’s ruling and the family’s swift legal action. “There was no guarantee that assets would be available later,” he said. “Our team acted immediately to secure a freeze on Leonetti’s Fidelity investment accounts and protect the financial interests of Alice’s estate. This ensured that there would be accountability not only criminally, but civilly as well.”

While the $1 million settlement is significant, Lee made clear that it cannot replace the life lost. “Nothing brings Alice back,” said Lee. “We are happy to secure what justice our legal system can provide, but we also recognize that true justice for Alice will be delivered by The Lord at a time of His choosing.”

The case has underscored the vital role civil litigation plays in obtaining justice for families affected by violent crime. “When someone takes the life of another human being, there must be consequences on all fronts,” said Lee. “We are proud to have stood with the Bolen family.”

The defendant was represented in the civil matter by attorney Charles Isley.