Estranged family and staff of Hollywood icon Doris Day say she was 'manipulated' throughout her life, with both sides pointing the finger at the other, as it remains unclear what will become of the nearly $5million in assets belonging to her animal welfare foundation.
In a Facebook post shared the day after she died, Day's only grandson, Ryan Melcher, said he was kept from seeing his grandmother by manager Bob Bashara.
Ryan said that Bashara used his position of influence over Day to cut out other family members, completely replace her long-time staff with his family, and that as a result of Bashara's efforts, Ryan had to learn of Day's May 13 death over social media and in the news, like the rest of the public.
Ryan said Day Bashara kept him from keeping a dinner meeting that Day had requested with him following the untimely death of Day's son and his adoptive father, Terry Melcher, in 2004, but Day's most recent publicist, Charley Cullen Walters, said it was Day's decision not to see Ryan.
Walters added that Day was exploited by those closest to her, but it was her ex-husbands, and not staff, that were guilty of manipulation, with Ryan's adoptive grandfather Martin Melcher squandering her $20 million fortune.
Long-time fan of Day's and prolific pen pal Mike DeVita echoed Walters' thoughts on Day's lovers, but said Day did very much want to reconnect with Ryan.
DailyMail.com attempted to reach Bashara through Day's charity, the Doris Day Animal Foundation, of which Bashara is the CFO, but did not immediately receive a reply.
Ryan Melcher, the only grandson of late Hollywood icon Doris Day, has said she was 'manipulated' and kept in seclusion by her manager, Bob Bashara, as insiders wonder about her estate.
Ryan Melcher (right) said that Bob Bashara (left) used his position of influence over Day to cut out other family members, completely replace her long-time staff with his family, and that as a result of Bashara's efforts Ryan was kept from seeing Day for the past 15 years
Following Day's death, Ryan wrote a heartfelt post about how Day had impacted his life so positively at a young age, but shared how he had not seen his grandmother in years as he blamed Bashara for keeping them apart.
'I received the news of my grandmother’s passing like many of you — I awoke and read the news in a social media feed Monday morning,' Ryan wrote in the post shared on May 14.
'Sadly, due to a divorce that I was thrown into the middle of while still an underaged child, I have not been allowed to see my grandmother for quite some time. When I was invited by Doris to dinner a few years ago after my father’s untimely death in November 2004 (melanoma), her new business manager, a former fan, intervened and asked me to meet him at the family owned Cypress Inn here in Carmel, California.
'I was asked by this man: "Why do you want to see Doris?" I was shocked not only at the question, but also that it was coming from someone who was a stranger and outsider.
'I just responded, "um....she is my grandmother!"
'He replied, "I'm afraid you aren't going to be able to see your grandmother," citing the divorce between my parents as his excuse.'
Following Day's death, Ryan wrote a heartfelt post about how he had not seen his grandmother in years as he blamed Bashara for keeping them apart. Day is pictured in 1955
Ryan wrote a heartfelt post about how Day had impacted his life so positively at a young age. Day and Ryan are pictured in 1985
Ryan (left), his father Terry (center, Day's only son), and Day (right) are pictured when Ryan was age 12
Other staff of Day has said her ex-husbands manipulated her throughout her entire life. Day is shown with Martin Melcher, who adopted her only son Terry. Martin died in 1969
A person who lived near Day while she was alive told the Post there is talk among insiders about what will become of her $300,000 home and the Doris Day Animal Foundation. Day is pictured in the film 'Pillow talk' from 1959
Ryan shared his confusion over not being permitted to see Day, and his regret for not standing up for his family.
'Looking back, I should have said more; should have drove to her home and not let a stranger come between us, but unfortunately the tall fences and 24-hour guard under her new business manager's direction prevented me taking a stand and reconnecting with my family. She had been so happy to talk to me and we were both excited for our upcoming dinner together just a week before, and this man was clearly manipulating the situation.
'All this to say: the dinner between my grandma and I never took place. Any and all communication was cut off from that point on and I was left bewildered.'
The foundation had total assets of $4,586,346 as of last year, according to 2017 tax filings. Day is pictured in a scene from the movie 'Lullaby on Broadway' from 1951
Ryan said Day Bashara kept him from keeping a dinner meeting that Day had requested with him following the untimely death of his father, Terry Melcher, in 2004, but Day's most recent publicist, Charley Cullen Walters, said it was Day's decision not to see Ryan. Day is pictured with Rock Hudson in the film 'Send Me No Flowers' from 1964
DeVita, who traded more than 500 letters with the star of the silver and small screen, was also confused by the canceled dinner, he told the New York Post.
'The story with the grandson is so weird,' he said. 'Doris really wanted to reconnect.'
While he couldn't speak to what role Bashara may have played in that breakdown, he said that Day was 'manipulated' by those closest to her throughout her entire life, and said Bashara shared one similarity with her exes.
'Doris was very trusting. She was manipulated all her life, usually by her husbands,' DeVita said. 'She was looking for the
