Daughter of the accused mastermind of a Fargo murder to fight for custody

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - The daughter of the accused mastermind of a Fargo murder says she'll continue to fight for custody of Kennedy Gattuso. In a bizarre twist, the conversation quickly turned to a letter allegedly typed by the child's mother on her death bed.

The 564 word letter, dated march 13th, was apparently typed two weeks before Valerie Gattuso died. Two witnesses signed it. In the letter, there is startling revelations about Philip’s parenting and the future of Kennedy.

“I was stunned, horrified, and devastated.”

Saying she had no idea about the murder plot. Life has been far from normal for Regan Williams.

“Of course I love my father but our paths have gone separate ways now.”

Williams claims she hasn't talked to her father since his arrest and has separated herself from her mother.

“I’m an adult, they're adults, but Kennedy is an innocent child.”

That three year old is now leading to a bitter custody battle. It was just yesterday. Kennedy was removed from Williams' home as the court granted custody to Kennedy’s uncle, the brother of her murdered father.

“The best place for her is where she's felt comfortable and lived the majority of her life. She's lost her mother, she's lost her father and now she's lost me.”

That's why Williams says this letter her sister allegedly typed is so important. It flat out says she wants Williams to raise Kennedy, not Philip.

“I think everybody has different parenting styles. Philip had his own. We never said he was an unfit parent.”

In the letter though, it states Philip abandoned one of his other children and blames him for strained relationships. Williams says Valerie’s state of mind was fine at the time.

“It upset him. That wasn't anybody's intent. When you promise someone you'll do something when they pass away, you do it.”

Williams says she and Philip talked about the letter once, but she never actively pursued custody.

“I just want her to have a mother who loves her like I love her.”

This is a copy of a lie detector test taken by Williams. It asked her if she was involved, planned, or knew of the murder. She passed answering no. Williams is staying in North Dakota likely until a decision is made on a further court battle.