96-Year-Old Widow Killed in Alleged Murder-for-Hire Plot While Baking Birthday Cookies

A 96-year-old widow in Montecito, California, was allegedly killed in a murder-for-hire plot involving financial exploitation and elder abuse. The victim, Violet Evelyn Alberts, was found dead in her home, and authorities uncovered a scheme where she was manipulated into signing over her valuable property. The central figure in the manipulation, Pauline Macareno, was recently sentenced to six years in prison for fraud related to the case. Three other individuals have been arrested in connection with the murder, and the investigation is ongoing.