 Following the death of his wife Sabrina Costelana Newman, Victor disappeared to Mexico only to be declared dead by Mexican authorities after an apparent boating accident.As stipulated in Victor's new will, the lion's share of his estate was bequeathed to his son, Adam Newman, who was going by his birth name of Victor Adam Newman Jr. Adam embarked on radical changes within the company, assuming the position of Chairman of the Board and installing Brad as CEO of Newman Enterprises and right-hand man in "expanding Newman globally" .Adam fired long-time Newman employees Neil Winters and Victoria Newman, while making an enemy of the executor of the Newman estate, Michael Baldwin.