Anti-Gov't Recluse Leaves $7M ... in Gold

Neighbors didn't know much about Walter Samaszko Jr.—in fact, he had been dead for at least a month before the smell tipped people off to his demise. And when officials visited his house, they learned something else about him: He'd owned at least $7 million worth of gold, the Tahoe Daily Tribune reports. "There were dos-pesos smaller than a dime, five-peso coins, $20 gold pieces, gold sovereigns, Austrian ducats, Krugerrands; you name it, (he) had it," said a city clerk about Samaszko, a 69-year-old anti-government hoarder. Officials hope that after taxes, most of it will go to Samaszko's only heir: a first cousin who works as a substitute teacher. (More gold stories.)