Montecito, California – A 96-year-old woman, Violet Alberts, tragically found dead in her home in May 2022, was revealed by local authorities to be the victim of a deceptive fraud scheme that escalated into a murderous plot. Alberts, described as a warm and social elderly widow, fell victim to a convoluted financial exploitation scheme that ultimately led to her murder.
Sheriff Paul Brown disclosed during a press conference that Alberts’ death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy confirmed she died of asphyxiation. The investigation uncovered a complex web of deceit and manipulation used against the vulnerable victim, who was actively involved in her local community despite facing financial difficulties.
The scheme was orchestrated by Pauline Macareno, who deceitfully posed as a real estate agent to fraudulently acquire Alberts’ property. Through a series of deceptive transactions, including the forging of documents, Macareno gained control over Alberts’ assets unlawfully. The situation took a dark turn when Macareno, impatient for Alberts to pass away, conspired with three men to end her life and inherit her estate immediately.
The three men involved, Harry Basmadjian, Henry Rostomyan, and Ricardo MartinDelCampo, were arrested and charged with murder and conspiracy to murder. Rostomyan and MartinDelCampo are being held without bail, while Basmadjian remains in federal custody due to a life-threatening injury that left him incapacitated. Macareno, already serving a 6-year prison sentence for elder abuse, faces the possibility of additional charges in connection with the murder conspiracy.
The chilling details of Alberts’ tragic death highlight the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial exploitation and abuse. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable members of society from deceitful and malicious individuals who seek to take advantage of them for personal gain.
As the community mourns the loss of Violet Alberts, authorities continue to investigate and pursue justice for the heinous crimes committed against her. The revelation of the fraud scheme turned murder plot has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Montecito community, prompting a renewed focus on protecting elderly individuals from falling victim to similar schemes in the future.