Nearly a year after the death of Tony! Toni! Toné! guitarist D’Wayne Wiggins, his family is embroiled in a contentious legal battle over his $700,000 estate, with his daughter alleging his niece manipulated his final will amid heavy medication use.
D’Wayne Wiggins, the guitarist and vocalist for the iconic R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, died on March 7, 2025, in Oakland, California, following a battle with bladder cancer, TMZ confirmed. His death closed the chapter on a career that produced timeless hits and influenced a generation of R&B artists.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Wiggins’ daughter, Ilahn Wiggins, is contesting the administration of his estate, valued at approximately $700,000. She claims that after Wiggins’ death, his niece, Veleta Savannah—who was listed on his death certificate as the trustee—barred his children from his home and withdrew $20,000 from his account using a Power of Attorney.
Ilahn alleges that her father had a loving relationship with his children and that his final will, which disinherited them, was executed during a period when he was receiving end-of-life care and heavy medications that likely impaired his decision-making capacity. She also notes that Wiggins married his new wife, Dori Wiggins, just months before his death.
The family’s concerns are compounded by the fact that Wiggins’ children do not believe Savannah is the legitimate administrator and suspect the will was changed without their father’s full mental clarity. Savannah, however, maintains that Wiggins consciously decided to disinherit his children and was of sound mind when he updated his will.
This dispute sheds light on the potential for elder exploitation in estate planning, especially when individuals are vulnerable due to illness. The quick remarriage and the appointment of a niece as trustee raise questions about undue influence, a common issue in contested wills.
A trial has been set for September to resolve these disputes. Until then, Wiggins’ legacy—both musical and personal—remains entangled in legal drama.
For fans of Tony! Toni! Toné!, this estate battle is a somber postscript to the story of a musician who helped shape R&B history. The group’s reunions and sporadic performances had kept hope alive for new music, but now the focus shifts to a family conflict that could define how Wiggins is remembered.
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