1. The contents are generally presumed to be the property of the family/heirs.
2. The act of hoarding the gold was not illegal on the day it was buried.
3. There is no family of the non-existant person named on the headstone.
4. If the person burring it was doing it with illegal intent- he is dead and can no longer be prosecuted.
5. The contents were worth $100,000 when buried (@$20.63 per oz) is now worth $8.6 million dollars.
6. It is in a family plot. Only family members are there- except the empty coffin.
7. The state allows for exhumation PROVIDED there are plans in place for the re-inturnment of the body (but there is no body).
8. Can the Federal gov’t claim it @ $20.62 per ounce?
9. Can it be “Finders Keepers?”
10. Whose heirs are entitled? The Family of the plot or the non-existent heirs? (the state will assign heirship)