Nick Gordon Ordered to Pay Bobbi Kristina Brown's Family $36 Million in Wrongful Death Case

He was found legally responsible for the death of Whitney Houston's daughter in September after failing to appear at two scheduled court dates

By Holly Passalaqua, Corinne Heller Nov 17, 2016 10:08 PMTags

A judge has ordered Nick Gordon to pay more than $36 million to the family of Bobbi Kristina Brown, two months after he was found legally responsible for her death.

The daughter of Bobbi Brown and the late Whitney Houston died in July 2015 at age 22 after being in a coma for months. She was found face down and unconscious in a bathtub in a Georgia home she shared with Gordon, who she often called her "husband" and who her mother had helped raise. He denied any wrongdoing and was never charged with a crime. Her estate later filed a $50 million wrongful death civil lawsuit against him.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge T. Jackson Bedford had said in September that because Gordon failed to appear in court on two scheduled court dates, anything alleged by the plaintiff was admitted through omission, 11alive.com reported. The judge awarded Bobbi Kristina's family more than $36 million in a ruling made Thursday. Gordon has not commented. 

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Bobbi Kristina Brown's Life in Pics
Jason Winslow / Splash News

"I am pleased with the outcome of today's court proceedings," Bobby said in a statement.

"I do know that Mr. Gordon will be unable to slander my daughter's name in the future or obtain any benefits from the use of Krissy's name," he added. Finally, I do need for the District Attorney's Office to step up and begin the criminal prosecution of Mr. Gordon. The delay in that matter is of great concern to me and my family. We need for District Attorney Howard to act now."

The $36 million includes $15 million for present value of life, $13.8 million for pain and suffering and $1.37 million for assault and battery. The lawsuit had alleged Bobbi Kristina "died due to a violent altercation" with Gordon, "after which he placed her in a bathtub, unconscious, after he injected her with a toxic mixture."

"We intend to pursue, with all vigor, the full collection of the judgment," Bobbi Kristina's estate's attorney, R. David Ware, said in a statement to E! News. The defendant will not escape justice nor ever profit from his misdeeds. We hope that in some small way this will allow Krissy's family to continue their quest for peace."

Bobbi Kristina was Houston's only child. The iconic pop star died at age 48 in 2012.