Alec Baldwin reaches 'fair and appropriate' settlement with Halyna Hutchins' 10-yr-old son, but he can only access money at 18
NEW MEXICO: Alec Baldwin and Halyna Hutchins' son have reached a settlement after the 'Rust' cinematographer was fatally shot on the set. Andros, who was nine years old when his mother died, had the settlement approved by a New Mexico judge, who agreed it was in his best interests.
Haylna's husband Matthew Hutchins and their little son Andros Hutchins filed a wrongful death lawsuit in February 2022, alleging that Baldwin and other producers were negligent and caused Halyna's death, according to Daily Mail. The matter was resolved in October 2022, and now that the settlement has received court approval, the family will be finally paid. Baldwin accidentally loaded a replica Colt.45 handgun with real rounds in October 2021 and shot at Halyna, killing her.
'In the best interests of Andros Hutchins'
The proceedings were kept private, and part of the settlement was designed to provide compensation to young Andros. A guardian ad litem was chosen by the court to act as his legal representative, and they submitted a report under seal.
The judge's ruling stated that a portion of the settlement will be set aside for Andros, who will have access to it when he turns 18 and 22. The settlement "is fair, appropriate, and in the best interests of Andros Hutchins, a minor, a protected person," ruled District Court Judge Bryan Biedscheid, according to Daily Mail.
'No interest in engaging in recriminations'
Matthew Hutchins was appointed executive producer of the western, which resumed filming in Montana in May. He issued a statement when the deal was struck last year that read, "We have reached a settlement, subject to court approval, for our wrongful death case against the producers of Rust, including Alec Baldwin and Rust Movie Productions, LLC. As part of that settlement, our case will be dismissed," the statement read.
"I have no interest in engaging in recriminations or attribution of blame (to the producers or Mr Baldwin). All of us believe Halyna’s death was a terrible accident. I am grateful that the producers and the entertainment community have come together to pay tribute to Halyna’s final work," it added.