The East Side book dealer's last wishes were to split up her family's estate, including a Southampton, L.I., home valued at $450,000, among her husband, children and parents.

Her will was dated March 25, 2002, and filed in Manhattan Surrogate's Court on Thursday.

Aronov's doctor husband, Alexander, who was named executor, said fear stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks prompted his wife to have the will drawn.

"She was flying a lot, so she thought it was a good idea," he said. "I didn't get around to doing mine, but I will soon."

Police are still struggling to unravel the mystery of her death. Aronov, 44, vanished while walking her dad's cocker spaniel March 3. Her body was fished out of the East River on the Queens side of the Queensboro Bridge two months later. The dog has not been found.

Under the terms of the will, half of Aronov's more liquid assets were left to her husband. The rest is split between her daughters, Polina, 22, and Veronica, 9.

The Southampton house goes to Aronov's parents, Anatoly and Lilia Byzova, who have been living there. The Byzovas also were left books and works of art, including paintings, engravings and porcelain.

Lilia Byzova was named trustee for Veronica, who won't get her inheritance until she turns 21.

Alexander Aronov said he couldn't comment on why his mother-in-law was named trustee without the will in front of him. But he said "in the end everything will go to our kids."

His lawyer, Ed Hayes, later said such an arrangement was common and "often is done to avoid conflict of interest between parent and child."

Svetlana Aronov's lawyer, Ernest Bial, couldn't be reached for comment.

Struggling with tragedy

The doctor, an oncologist whose marriage ended in tragedy two months short of 25 years, said he's still struggling to get back to normal.

"It's not getting any easier," he said. "I do things. I function. But only because I have no choice."

Police on the case said they were leaning toward suicide as the cause of death. They said Aronov had a history of depression and may have had a relapse.

Asked if she might have gone into the river for another reason, one investigator said, "Is it possible she jumped in after the dog? Yes. But we don't believe that is likely."

Investigators said they were awaiting toxicological reports before making a final determination on the cause of death.

With Helen Peterson

Originally published on June 24, 2003