Magistrate continues Purcell estate case; staff recommends boarding up vacant Fort Pierce home

The special magistrate continued a code‑enforcement matter involving the vacant house at Osceola Avenue on Oct. 2 after an attorney for the estate said the property is essentially gutted and the estate lacks funds to repair it.

Raul Perez, who identified himself as the attorney and personal representative for the estate of the late Leila E. Purcell, told the magistrate the home is vacant and "basically to the studs," with no drywall or air conditioning, and that the estate is insolvent. Perez said a third party, identified in probate filings as Paul Estes, had filed a will and holds a key to the property; Perez said he was attempting to coordinate with the apparent claimant but that the mortgage holder may ultimately assume responsibility through foreclosure.

City staff told the magistrate they were concerned about safety and vandalism at the vacant structure and recommended converting the case to the city's nuisance abatement program to secure the building (board‑up) and clear the lot if necessary. Staff cited a recent incident in which vandals entered a vacant structure and an overdose occurred, calling the condition a life‑safety concern.

Given the legal complexity — competing probate filings and a foreclosure in process — the magistrate continued the case to allow staff and the parties to effect notice and to explore nuisance‑abatement options. The hearing record discussed scheduling a follow‑up appearance in mid‑October; the clerk and staff will notify interested parties of the next hearing date and confirmed the estate's representative may appear remotely under local rules.

Staff said the nuisance‑abatement process would secure the property using commercial plywood, shutters or approved polycarbonate materials, and that abatement costs could be assessed as a lien on the property if the city performs the work.