A shocking turn of events in a California murder case has revealed a complex web of deceit

 

A shocking turn of events in a California murder case has revealed a complex web of deceit and exploitation. Violet Evelyn Alberts, a 96-year-old widow, was found dead in her Montecito home in May 2022, with an autopsy later determining that she died by asphyxiation. The investigation that followed uncovered a sinister plot to gain control of her valuable home through a reverse mortgage scam and ultimately, a murder-for-hire scheme.

The mastermind behind the scheme was identified as Pauline Macareno, 48, who offered Alberts a reverse mortgage on her home, taking advantage of her financially distressed situation. Macareno forged documents, established fraudulent entities, and made a series of transactions to illegally gain control of Alberts' property.

As the investigation progressed, detectives discovered that Alberts became the target of a murder-for-hire plot. Two men, Ricardo MartinDelCampo and Henry Rostomyan, were arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to murder Alberts. A third man, Harry Basmadjian, was also arrested for his alleged involvement in the conspiracy.

The suspects' plan was elaborate and premeditated. MartinDelCampo and Rostomyan were seen on surveillance footage conducting a "scouting trip" to Alberts' home just three days before her death. The sheriff described the case as "a particularly heinous" example of financial exploitation, with Macareno taking advantage of Alberts' vulnerable situation.

Alberts was a beloved member of the Montecito community, known for her warm demeanor and social nature. She was active and had plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday by baking cookies, but her life was tragically cut short.

The case highlights the growing issue of elder fraud, with California having the highest number of elderly victims in the country. In 2022, adults over 60 reported $3.1 billion in losses to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, an 84% increase from the previous year.

The sheriff's office has praised the diligent work of detectives in uncovering the complex scheme and bringing the perpetrators to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals from financial exploitation and the devastating consequences that can result from such crimes.