‘Extraordinarily callous’: Landlord murdered tenant so he could sell the property, then offered condolences to his family and asked son when he would be out, lawsuit says

A shocking wrongful death lawsuit filed in California has accused a landlord of orchestrating the murder of his tenant in order to remove him from a rental property and sell the home. The lawsuit describes the alleged conduct as “extraordinarily callous,” claiming that after the tenant was killed, the landlord and his wife offered condolences to the victim’s family while simultaneously attempting to regain possession of the property.

The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco Superior Court, centers on the death of 58-year-old Eric Bigone, a tenant who had been renting a single-family home in San Francisco’s Sunset District. The complaint alleges that his landlord, 68-year-old Phillipe Chagniot, carried out a calculated campaign to force Bigone out of the property before ultimately killing him.

Lawsuit Alleges Murder Was Motivated by Property Sale

According to the complaint, Bigone had been renting the residence located on 47th Avenue since 2023. He reportedly paid $3,200 per month in rent and had continued living in the home despite increasing pressure from the landlords.

The lawsuit alleges that Chagniot wanted to sell the property and viewed Bigone’s tenancy as an obstacle. Rather than following legal procedures, the complaint claims the landlord embarked on a months-long effort designed to push the tenant out.

Attorneys representing Bigone’s estate contend that the alleged harassment campaign eventually escalated into deadly violence.

Alleged Campaign of Harassment Before the Killing

The lawsuit details numerous actions allegedly taken by the landlords beginning in January 2026.

According to court filings, the landlords repeatedly served improper notices to enter the property, threatened eviction, and refused to accept rent payments. The complaint further alleges that they falsely claimed they intended to invoke California’s Ellis Act, a law that allows landlords to remove rental units from the market under specific circumstances.

The pressure allegedly became so severe that Bigone hired an attorney simply to ensure that his rent payments could be made properly.

The complaint also claims that rent payments were demanded in cash and that the landlords insisted on this arrangement in order to avoid reporting the rental income on their taxes.

Fatal Ambush Allegedly Carried Out Outside Tenant’s Home

The most serious allegation in the lawsuit is that Chagniot ultimately decided to eliminate the tenant permanently.

According to the complaint, Bigone was ambushed and shot outside his residence. The lawsuit alleges that Chagniot used a silenced MAC-10 submachine gun during the attack.

Attorneys for Bigone’s estate argue that the killing was directly connected to the landlord’s desire to clear the property for sale without the complications of a tenant occupying the home.

The allegations contained in the lawsuit have not yet been proven in court.

Criminal Charges Filed Against Landlord

The lawsuit notes that Chagniot was arrested on May 27 and remains in custody without bail.

Prosecutors have reportedly charged him with murder, arson, and multiple weapons-related offenses. The weapons charges allegedly include possession of a silencer and possession of a large-capacity magazine.

The criminal case remains pending, and Chagniot has not been convicted of any offense related to the allegations.

Family Says Landlord Offered Sympathy After Death

One of the most disturbing claims in the lawsuit concerns what allegedly happened after Bigone was killed.

According to the complaint, Chagniot sent a text message to Bigone’s son, Dino Bigone, expressing sympathy over his father’s death.

The lawsuit further alleges that Barbara Chagniot, the landlord’s wife, called the victim’s son the following day. During the conversation, she allegedly offered condolences and then asked when he planned to vacate the property.

Attorneys for the estate argue that these actions demonstrate a striking lack of compassion and support their description of the defendants’ conduct as extraordinarily callous.

Efforts to Gain Possession of the Property

The lawsuit claims that efforts to regain control of the residence began almost immediately after Bigone’s death.

According to court documents, within days of the killing, an attorney representing the defendants allegedly moved to take possession of the property.

The estate contends that these actions reveal the true motive behind the alleged harassment and subsequent killing: removing the tenant in order to facilitate a property sale.

Wrongful Death Claims and Civil Allegations

The civil complaint contains ten separate causes of action.

Among the claims are wrongful death, battery, and violations of San Francisco’s rent ordinance. The ordinance prohibits landlords from engaging in bad-faith harassment designed to force tenants from their homes.

The lawsuit also names Barbara Chagniot and the family trust connected to the property as defendants.

In addition to financial damages, the estate is seeking injunctive relief aimed at preventing the sale or transfer of properties allegedly owned by the defendants.

Estate Seeks Punitive Damages

Attorneys representing Bigone’s estate are pursuing substantial compensation.

The lawsuit seeks general damages, punitive damages, and other monetary awards. The estate is also requesting a jury trial.

Lawyers argue that restrictions on property transfers are necessary because they believe assets could potentially be moved or sold before a judgment is entered, making it more difficult for the family to recover damages if they prevail.

Defendants Yet to Respond

As of the filing of the lawsuit, the allegations remain unproven and the defendants had not yet filed a formal response in court.

Attempts by media outlets to obtain comments from the Chagniots and their attorney were reportedly unsuccessful.

The criminal proceedings and civil lawsuit are expected to move forward separately, with prosecutors seeking to prove the murder charges while the victim’s family pursues accountability and damages through the civil court system.

Case Draws Attention to Landlord-Tenant Disputes

The allegations have generated significant attention because of their extraordinary nature. Legal experts note that landlord-tenant disputes are ordinarily resolved through eviction proceedings and housing courts, making the accusations in this case particularly alarming.

The lawsuit paints a picture of an escalating conflict that allegedly moved from harassment and eviction threats to deadly violence, culminating in a criminal prosecution and a high-stakes wrongful death lawsuit.

For the family of Eric Bigone, the case represents an effort to obtain justice and answers regarding a death they believe was motivated by a landlord’s desire to sell a valuable piece of property without a tenant standing in the way.