Stressing that he is completely happy to be in control of his son’s finances and major life decisions in order to keep him safe, local father Henry Murdoch confessed to reporters today that he was hoping he would get more out of the conservatorship he helped orchestrate. Instead, his son, 26-year-old Derek Murdoch, is only able to earn a modest salary.
“I’ve been preparing to put Derek under conservatorship since he was a young kid, ever since he had his first schizophrenic episode,” explained Henry. “But right after that, his mom walked out. We made sure she couldn’t see him, but she’s the one who would’ve gotten him into acting and singing and shit. She had the connections,” he said with calm resignation.
Derek, aware of how talented he is, has nonetheless felt incapable of the relentless pursuit necessary to maintain a career in the arts.
“Mom knew producers, she knew directors, but I guess when I started going crazy, she figured I wasn’t worth it,” he lamented. “Hard to feel confident after a childhood like that.”
Despite the challenges, Derek has managed modest professional success as an editorial board member for a publishing company. However, due to court orders that took effect on his 18th birthday, he has no legal right to control any of his finances, all purchases must be approved by his father and nearly all personal relationships must be overseen as well. However, Henry remains frustrated at the situation he facilitated, conceding, “That asshole makes more than me, sure, but, you know, he’ll never be where Britney Spears was. Kind of bullshit.”
The Squeaky Wheel later contacted Derek’s mother and Henry’s ex-wife, Lana Chapman, who was available for comment.
Upon being informed of Derek’s arrangement, Chapman replied, “Oh, fuck no!” and promptly contacted her talent agency’s law team.