QUINCY, Mass. (AP) – A New Hampshire boy who won a groundbreaking legal battle to “divorce” his murderer father has launched a quest to recover his mother’s ashes, according to a published report.

Patrick Holland, 14, wants the ashes of his mother, Elizabeth Holland, who was fatally shot in their Quincy apartment in 1998. The boy’s father, Daniel Holland, was convicted and is serving a life sentence.

Patrick was one of the first children independently to initiate a termination proceeding against one parent for killing the other, although he had a permanent home with his legal guardians.

Daniel Holland, facing trial last Monday, instead signed a settlement waiving any right to be part of Patrick’s life. Norfolk County Probate Court Judge Robert Langlois approved the settlement, which was also signed by the Department of Social Services, Patrick, and his guardians, Ron and Rita Lazisky of Sandown, N.H.

The Patriot Ledger of Quincy reported Sunday that the teenager may have another legal battle on his hands to recover the ashes.

Elizabeth Holland’s father, Robert McCrocklin, of Fairfax, Va., has kept her ashes since she was cremated in 1998. McCrocklin is the administrator of his daughter’s estate.

The newspaper quoted Ron Lazinsky as saying there was a disagreement over the remains.

McCrocklin’s attorney, Steven Wollman, of Swampscott, told the newspaper that there is no dispute over the ashes. He said he has not received any court papers regarding the dispute.

AP-ES-08-01-04 1308EDT