Netflix's true crime documentary series Worst Neighbor Ever has captivated audiences with its disturbing tales of邻里冲突 and criminal deception. Episode four, titled The Executor, focuses on Caroline Herrling, a so-called 'litigation consultant' who orchestrated an elaborate scheme to loot the estate of a deceased elderly man, Charles Wilding, and dispose of his body.
The Disappearance of Charles Wilding
In October 2021, Detective Mark O’Donnell of the Los Angeles Police Department received an anonymous tip about 70-year-old Charles Wilding, a wealthy homeowner in Sherman Oaks with no known family. The caller expressed concern that Charles might be dead and his identity being used fraudulently for financial gain. O’Donnell's investigation into the potential homicide led him to Caroline Herrling, who claimed to be in charge of Wilding’s estate. However, O’Donnell quickly grew suspicious of her story.
What Did Caroline Herrling Do?
Herrling had a history of targeting unkempt properties in affluent neighborhoods, seeking to exploit the owners and steal their possessions. In 2020, her partner, career criminal Jason Kroth, broke into Charles Wilding's home and found him already dead. Instead of reporting the death, Herrling and her associates took over the property, looting his assets. She used a forged power-of-attorney document to pose as Charles's representative and steal from his financial accounts.
When police demanded to know Charles's whereabouts, Herrling claimed he had gone to Carpinteria to stay with friends while she worked to restore his house. She even recruited someone to impersonate Charles to maintain the illusion that he was alive. Meanwhile, Herrling and her co-conspirators moved Charles's body to her apartment, attempting to dissolve it in a tub of acid. When that failed, they dismembered the body and dumped the remains in San Francisco Bay. Herrling used Charles's money to buy a home after being evicted from her own apartment for non-payment of rent.
Where Is Caroline Herrling Now?
On March 15, 2024, Herrling pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.8 million in restitution to her victims. She is currently serving her sentence. Jason Kroth also admitted to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, receiving a sentence of 16 years and eight months, along with $1.9 million in restitution.
US Attorney Martin Estrada commented on Herrling's conviction, as quoted by ABC7 News: 'This defendant's misconduct was both greedy and grotesque, causing profound pain to the victims and their loved ones. There must be serious consequences for those who prey on vulnerable communities, such as older adults, and my office will remain steadfast in bringing these offenders to justice.'
Worst Neighbor Ever is available for streaming on Netflix.
