LONDON -- The son of an English aristocrat who disappeared after his children's nanny was bludgeoned to death four decades ago has asked Britain's High Court to issue a death certificate for his father.
George Bingham wants to inherit the title Earl of Lucan.
Lord Lucan vanished after nanny Sandra Rivett was found dead at the family's London home on Nov. 7, 1974. His bloodstained car was found abandoned near England's south coast.
There have been reported sightings around the world, though the High Court declared Lord Lucan dead for probate reasons in 1999.
Bingham says the 1999 ruling didn't prove death "for all purposes." His new application, which goes to court Tuesday, is opposed by Rivett's son Neil Berriman.
Lucan would be 80 years old if he is still alive.
