Santa Barbara, California – Authorities have apprehended four individuals in connection with the tragic demise of a 96-year-old woman in California. The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office revealed the arrests of Pauline Macareno, Harry Masmadjian, Henry Rostomyan, and Ricardo MarinDelCampo during a press conference on Thursday.
The investigations into the death of Violet Evelyn Alberts spanned over 22 months, beginning when she was discovered deceased in her Montecito residence by her caretaker in 2022. Detectives uncovered unsettling evidence pointing towards a premeditated murder plot targeting Alberts. It was revealed that the suspects orchestrated an intricate scheme involving a reverse mortgage scam as a means to unlawfully acquire control of her property.
Pauline Macareno received a six-year prison sentence for her fraudulent activities linked to Alberts’ case. While Basmadjian and Rostomyan were taken into custody earlier this year, MartinDelCampo was only apprehended recently. Rostomyan and MartinDelCampo are currently being held without bail at the Santa Barbara County Jail on charges of murder and conspiracy to murder Alberts.
Basmadjian faces similar charges and has encountered a severe medical emergency, rendering him incapacitated with a bleak prognosis. The exhaustive investigation into Alberts’ murder demanded a significant amount of resources, with detectives investing over 10,000 hours in the case. Despite the progress made by authorities, the investigation remains ongoing, encouraging individuals with any pertinent information to reach out to the designated hotline.
The community remains shocked by the heinous nature of the crime committed against Violet Evelyn Alberts, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice for the victim. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement and community members shed light on the relentless pursuit of truth and accountability in cases of such magnitude. As the judicial proceedings unfold, the memory of Alberts serves as a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities within society that must be safeguarded.