Dead Soldier Moises Gonzalez's Wives Battle Over Survivor Benefits

An Army carry team lifts a transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Moises J. Gonzalez as the transfer case containing the remains of Spc. Manuel J. Vasquez rests on a loader during a dignified transfer ceremony at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Friday, April 27, 2012. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

When Army Spc. Moises Gonzalez was killed on April 25 in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, the news devastated his wife.

But that meant two people.

NBC affiliate KGET-TV in Bakersfield, Calif. reports that Spc. Gonzalez married Ruth Bayona in 2010, but that the soldier had never divorced his first wife, Darlene Garcia, of Los Angeles.

The Army did not contact Bayona after her husband died from injuries sustained when his vehicle flipped over, but instead reached out to Garcia, who will receive survivor benefits and Gonzalez's service flag.

"This woman hasn't been in his life for years and the only reason she's coming out right now is because of the benefits," Bayona told KGET.

A third woman, who is the mother of Gonzalez's second son, also attended the funeral, NBC reports.

Read the full report from KGET here.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[GraceRuthless]

02:37 PM on 05/22/2012

Who are we to probe into this man's personal life? This man died in service to our Country...doing something a lot of us are not brave enough to do. Making a big sacrifice. The way he died was absolutely horrific, but he did it with cause. There should be some respect given here.

[florencebrady]

03:44 AM on 05/14/2012

The kaw is very clear on this issue. If he wasn't divorced from first wife, then second wife is not entitled to his benefits.

This isn't an obscure law---------------Mr. Gonzales had to know his second marriage was illegal.

The victim in all this is his second wife if she didnt know the truth.

[silver45]

02:46 AM on 05/14/2012

There is only one spouse on DEERS. There is only one current Form DD-1172. I Have never been in the army but I'm sure this is not the first time this has occured. TAG has an regulation to cover just about everything, and they will no doubt have one concerning this event. I would think the 200 or 400 series would be a good place to check.

[vcrozas]

01:53 AM on 05/14/2012

Prolific fella for sure. Sorry for the children, the kids always seen to get hurt.

[StevenRussell1]

01:37 AM on 05/14/2012

A fighting family all the way around!

Way to go?

[arthur-metz]

12:46 AM on 05/14/2012

Really it is too bad when anyone dies, especially in service to the military - but really - Whatta mess this man left behind - I find it remarkable that the sister of one of the wives says the oldest son wants the flag - well thats a kick in the ---- I mean really, does anyone think this bigomist is going to leave any kind of legacy to his other children that are not provided for - this is a real true dead - beat dad - to bad this is not France where you can marry and sue the dead - this would play out differently - the 3 woman should share the benefits - their sons are related by blood - but I have a feling greed will win the day

[ramseed2]

11:26 PM on 05/13/2012

HE was much more than a mere "specialist", he appears to have been a very successful "general practitioner"..!!!

[yoceeoman]

11:21 PM on 05/13/2012

Let me get this straight...he had THREE women in his life ! Where the hell did he get time to do this ! I have my hands full with my ONE wife and glad she wants and needs me ! You got to be kidding....THREE !!!

[idontcare761]

02:23 AM on 05/14/2012

He left wife (and children) number one years ago but never divorces her. Met woman number two had a child with her and their child. Found woman number 3 , married her and had a child with her , goes to war , dies and leaves a big fat mess.

[ihuber1]

11:21 PM on 05/13/2012

Sad for the kids

[flodlite]

11:09 PM on 05/13/2012

Barney Frank wasn't one of them, was he ?? He screwed everyone else.........

[Poovoh]

12:26 AM on 05/14/2012

BaDumBum, Kshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

[eeverettm]

10:23 PM on 05/13/2012

Will bigamy and polygamy, as well as beastiality be the next civil rights?

[Sigmareoa]

11:31 PM on 05/13/2012

sounds like your looking forward to it

[Poovoh]

12:27 AM on 05/14/2012

you're

[Andrewcranky]

12:22 AM on 05/14/2012

Polygamy maybe. But bigamy is based on deseption.
Beastiality we leave for you red state county folk to figer out

[jogdog5]

10:09 PM on 05/13/2012

Greed! This woman should be put on a bill board with greed written on it.

[milmil]

03:43 AM on 05/14/2012

Put your money where your keyboard is. She lives in L.A. Billboards there go for 900-2500 monthly in L.A. county.

[speedy7201]

09:03 PM on 05/13/2012

Well, he screwed up...... His first wife gets the benefits b/c everything after that was illegal... If he loved his second wife, he just screwed her life up.....As far as dependent children, they're covered and considered as considered as a possible beneficary....One problem may be is that IF he actually named his second wife as his beneficary then that may be a problem, even if not his legal wife.. May actually turn out complicated.....

[kagu632418]

08:53 PM on 05/13/2012

There went another smart Mexican ......

[artstnmtn1]

12:29 AM on 05/14/2012

there went another racist. how do you know he was a mexican, mr gop?

[retiredfemale]

12:37 AM on 05/14/2012

He was an American soldier.

[jslojoe70]

08:39 PM on 05/13/2012

The lawyers will get the money.