Max Melitzer can buy himself some new wheels to cart around his belongings. A private investigator spent two months tracking down the Salt Lake City homeless man to tell him that his life will change just a tad, as the recipient of a large inheritance.
David Lundberg found Melitzer pushing a shopping cart and had him sit on a bench in Salt Lake’s Pioneer Park to break the news that Melitzer’s brother, who had died of cancer last year, left his brother a “significant” amount in his will.
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Lundberg tells the Associated Press “he’ll no longer be living on the street or in abandoned storage sheds. He’ll be able to have a normal life, and be able to have a home, provide for himself, and purchase clothing, food and health care.”
The family’s New York-based law firm hired Lundberg to track down Melitzer, who has been homeless in Utah for at least four years. His last contact with his family was in September via mail.
Lundberg struggled at first, but a local news report sent about 70 tips his way immediately. He followed one up and found his man. Lundberg describes Melitzer as a “really mellow guy in his 60s, very sweet and more articulate than I thought for a man in his position.”
The family wants to remain private and Melitzer, who no longer lives on the streets, also hasn’t spoken publicly.
Once the shock of it all wears off, Melitzer may give a news conference. Then comes the next stage of Melitzer’s life — one he hasn’t known for years.
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