But, today Kauffman's daughter filed court papers pointing the finger of blame at her stepfather to prevent him from collecting the more than half-million dollars in life insurance.
In a response to a federal lawsuit over who has the rights to two life insurance policies for the slain radio host, these words are glaring:
"...James Michael Kauffman is responsible for the intentional killing of April Kauffman..."
The filing comes from the attorneys of April's daughter, Kimberly Pack, in response to a June lawsuit brought by Dr. Jim Kauffman demanding the $600,000 in life insurance money he is owed as primary beneficiary be paid out.
Pack says, "I've purposely tried to avoid directly talking about what happened. But now after being brought into this lawsuit, I have no choice but to respond and begin to fight for what is right."
Pack is the second beneficiary on the policy.
In a response this fall, Transamerica Life Insurance cited New Jersey's Slayer Statute, which says if a person is responsible for the intentional killing of another, that person can't profit from it.
It also states the Atlantic County Prosecutors Office won't provide information to clear Kauffman because the case is open and ongoing.
Kauffman's attorney, Ed Jacobs, maintained his client's innocence today, saying, "It's utterly without basis. It will of course be denied. And we have encouraged April's daughter to provide any information she has to the county prosecutor."
In Kauffman's response to Transamerica it states, "...The plaintiff was not involved in the death of the insured."
And the New Jersey Slayer Statute doesn't require a beneficiary to prove they are not responsible.
Today Pack's attorneys, D'Arcy Johnson Day, also announced a new tip line: 1-844-DJD-TIPS.
"Not a day goes by I don't think about her or wish charges were filed against the individual responsible," Pack said.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office has never charged or named Dr. Jim Kauffman as a suspect or a person of interest in his wife's May 2012 homicide, and they say they don't comment on ongoing investigations.
