California authorities recently identified four suspects suspected of being involved in the 2022 murder of a 96-year-old woman in Santa Barbara County.
On Thursday, Pauline Macarreno, 48, of Porter Ranch, and Harry Basmajian, 58, of Van Nuys, were named as suspects in the murder of Violet Alberts, 96, of Monecito.
Ricardo Martin Delcampo, 41, of Los Angeles, and Henry Rostomian, 33, of Tujunga, were also listed as suspects.
Macarreno was charged with elder abuse, fraud and falsifying a legal document, according to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The remaining three suspects are charged with charges ranging from murder to conspiracy and abetting murder.
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Basmajian and Rostomian were arrested in January and February, respectively, while Martin Delcampo was most recently arrested on March 5. Sheriff Bill Brown said Maccareno targeted Alberts for his wealth.
Ricardo Martin Delcampo (left), Pauline Macarreno, and Henry Rostomian are all suspects in the murder of Violet Alberts. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
“Through deceptive means, Mr. Macareno orchestrated a series of transactions, including forging documents and establishing fraudulent entities, in order to gain illegal control over Mr. Alberts’ assets,” he said in detail.
Maccareno reportedly defrauded the victim by offering him a reverse mortgage in 2020. Authorities believe Macareno’s motive was Alberts’ advanced age.
“In Pauline Macarreno’s eyes, Miss Alberts has lived too long… She will probably die soon, and then… [Macareno] “They may have obtained this house through fraudulent means,” Brown said, “and what may have been behind the murder, what may have accelerated her death. Is it true?” he said.
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Mr. Alberts was found dead in his bed by his caregiver on May 24, 2022. Authorities later determined she died of asphyxiation and her death was ruled a homicide.
Violet Alberts, 96, is fondly remembered as a beloved resident of the Montecito community. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office)
When authorities investigated the scene, they found cookie ingredients on her kitchen table. The cookies were for her upcoming birthday.
Police found a broken window in Ms Alberts’ bedroom, which Sheriff Bill Brown said indicated “sinister intentions behind her tragic death”. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that they worked 10,424 hours to “unravel the complex web surrounding the tragic murder of Violet Alberts.”
Photographs of all suspects except Basmajian were released. The sheriff’s office said the man “subsequently suffered a life-threatening medical emergency that left him completely incapacitated and with a grim prognosis.”
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This aerial photo shows the Montecito neighborhood of Santa Barbara, California. (DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images)
At Thursday’s press conference, Alberts was fondly remembered as a beloved resident of the community.
“She was a vibrant 96-year-old widow and a cherished member of the Montecito community,” Sheriff Bill Brown said from the stage. “Despite her age, she was active and active and was known for her warm demeanor and sociability.”
“Her love for her home, complete with a pond filled with treasured koi fish brought from Beverly Hills, reflected her appreciation for life’s small pleasures. Faced with memory and cognitive challenges, Despite this, Violet’s spirit remained undaunted, and this was evident in her heart.”We plan to celebrate her upcoming birthday by baking fresh cookies. ”
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The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating this incident. (Google Maps)
Authorities are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call (805) 681-4150.
