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The death certificate for missing peer Lord Lucan has been issued to his only son, George Bingham, by the High Court.
The move allows Mr Bingham to become the 8th Earl Lucan, inheriting the title from his father, who vanished 42 years ago after being suspected of murder.
He said after the court judgement that he was "very happy".
"It has been a very long time coming," Mr Bingham said outside court on Wednesday, Sky News reports.
Sandra Rivett, the nanny for the British aristocrat's three children, was found dead at the family home in Lower Belgrade Street, central London, on 7 November 1974.
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It was decided in an inquest that Lord Lucan had killed her after mistaking her for his estranged wife, Countess Lucan, with whom he was embroiled in a custody battle. Lady Lucan was also attacked and badly beaten.
Lord Lucan was last seen at a friend's house in Uckfield, East Sussex. His car was found later abandoned and blood-filled in Newhaven 20 miles away, but a body was never found.
The High Court declared Lord Lucan dead in 1999, so his will could be activated - but the law at the time did not allow the issue of a death certificate.
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