CLIENT'S CHALLENGE

As a prominent American painter battled rampant alcoholism, depression and growing isolation from friends and family, the director of the business that owned, represented and licensed his work grew increasingly concerned. “We’re pretty worried about him,” he said. “He’s estranged from his family and living with a woman who is controlling and manipulative at best. She has driven off most of his friends and does not appear to have his best interests at heart.”

The director feared that his behavior threatened the value of his life's work and sought to protect both him and his legacy. Just before the client departed on a trip to Hawaii, one of the individuals from his company, a retired law enforcement officer, reached out and engaged Matador to provide an undercover executive protection detail. “Keep him from hurting himself – and do everything you can to ensure his girlfriend doesn’t harm him herself, or hasten his demise.”

MATADOR’S SOLUTION

Over a three-month period, Matador provided around-the-clock protection. Our personnel ensured that he arrived home safely, kept him from getting arrested for driving while intoxicated, and kept a sharp eye out for any abusive behavior on the part of his girlfriend. This was a very hands-on engagement.

On one occasion, triggered by a seizure the artist suffered at a bar, Matador personnel took him to the hospital, stayed at his bedside, kept ice cold rags on his head as he underwent detoxification, and prevented him from ripping out his intubation tubes throughout his stay. Shortly after the Matador engagement ended, the artist succumbed to his complex cocktail of addictive behaviors. After his death, Matador was again engaged – this time as a material witness in defending the artist’s estate against claims mounted by the abusive girlfriend.

IMPACT ON THE CLIENT

Members of the artist’s family as well as his family business expressed gratitude at many times throughout this difficult period – particularly at the end when Matador personnel helped facilitate his estranged family’s access to him in his last days. This wasn’t just a professional engagement for the firm. Matador personnel who invested themselves in protecting him and his legacy were personally fulfilled in having the opportunity to prevent harm and greater predation by others around him, an impact that will be appreciated by the family this artist left behind for decades to come.