Former WeHo Resident, Actress Theresa Saldana Leaves Estate to Daughter

LOS ANGELES, CA -- Theresa Saldana left her only child, now 27, as the primary beneficiary of a trust the late "Raging Bull" actress created in October 1995, court papers show.

Saldana's daughter, Tianna Peters, receives percentage amounts from the trust based on her age until she reaches 35, when the balance will be distributed to her, according to paperwork filed Monday by trustee Mark Aston.

He was a longtime friend of the actress and crime victims' advocate, who died June 6 at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center at age 61.

The sole asset of the trust -- which will remain in existence until Peters' 35th birthday -- is an insurance policy with American General Life Insurance Co. worth $1 million, according to Aston's court papers.

Peters consents to Aston being paid a percentage of the trust funds for his work in administering and managing the trust, according to the court papers.

Saldana's death certificate, attached to Aston's court papers, states that she died of influenza pneumonia and hyptoxic respiratory failure.

Saldana was known for co-starring in the 1991-96 television drama "The Commish" and appearing opposite Robert DeNiro in the 1980 film "Raging Bull."

She became an activist for crime victims after surviving a 1982 attack by a stalker who repeatedly stabbed her in front of her West Hollywood apartment.

A water deliveryman, Jeff Fenn, prevented Scottish drifter Arthur Jackson from escaping. Jackson served more than a decade in prison for the crime.

Saldana founded Victims for Victims and played herself in the 1984 TV movie "Victims For Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story." She also wrote "Beyond Survival," a memoir.

-- City News Service, photo courtesy of ABC