In May 2022, an assailant shockingly killed 96-year-old Violet Alberts in her Montecito home amid her birthday preparations.
The well-loved widow, vibrant and active in her wealthy community, became the target of a murder-for-hire scheme driven by greed. After a detailed two-year probe, police arrested four people, uncovering a plot filled with deceit, exploitation, and planned murder.
In May 2022, someone killed 96-year-old Violet Alberts at her Montecito home amid her birthday preparations.
An autopsy later confirmed that Alberts died from asphyxiation, a finding that redirected the investigation towards homicide
The investigation revealed Pauline Macareno, 48, from Porter Ranch, led a scheme to exploit Alberts financially. Pretending to help with a reverse mortgage, Macareno deceitfully aimed to seize Alberts’ assets, including her $6 million home.
As the investigation deepened, it revealed Macareno plotted the widow’s murder, impatient for her delayed inheritance.
She enlisted the help of three men: Harry Basmadjian, Henry Rostomyan, and Ricardo MartinDelCampo, to execute the heinous act. The meticulous planning included a scouting trip to Alberts’ residence, underscoring the premeditated nature of the crime.
The involvement of a Porsche Cayenne, identified as the getaway vehicle, further implicated the suspects.
The arrests unfolded over months: first Macareno for elder abuse in June 2022, then Rostomyan, MartinDelCampo, and Basmadjian for plotting the murder.
Basmadjian became brain dead after a medical crisis in jail. The case exposed elder exploitation and extreme greed.
Violet Alberts, a widow since 1993, had a reputation for her resilience and strong community bond, despite facing memory issues.
Her murder left a void in Montecito, underscoring life’s fragility and the dark side of supposed help and friendship.
This case, mixing financial deceit and murder, shocked Montecito and serves as a warning to protect the vulnerable. As the trial progresses, many seek justice for Violet Alberts, tragically killed at home.