Netflix's latest true crime documentary series, Worst Neighbour Ever, explores the harrowing case of Caroline Herrling, a 'litigation consultant' who orchestrated an elaborate scheme to exploit a deceased man's estate. The series, which premiered on the streaming platform, chronicles four disturbing neighbour disputes, with episode four, The Executor, focusing on Herrling and the disappearance of Charles Wilding.
The Discovery of Charles Wilding's Death
In October 2021, Detective Mark O'Donnell of the Los Angeles Police Department received an anonymous tip about Charles Wilding, a 70-year-old wealthy homeowner in Sherman Oaks with no known relatives. The informant suspected Wilding was dead and his identity was being fraudulently used for financial gain. O'Donnell's investigation led him to Caroline Herrling, who claimed to be responsible for Wilding's estate. However, O'Donnell soon developed doubts about her story.
Caroline Herrling's Criminal Scheme
Herrling had a pattern of targeting neglected properties in affluent areas, aiming to exploit owners and steal their belongings. In 2020, her partner, Jason Kroth, a career criminal, broke into Wilding's home and found him already deceased. As Wilding's body decomposed, Herrling and her associates took control of the property and stripped it of valuables. She used a fraudulent power-of-attorney document to act on Wilding's behalf and loot his financial accounts.
When police questioned Herrling, she claimed to be a close friend of Wilding and the trustee of his family trust. She alleged Wilding had travelled to Carpinteria to stay with friends while she renovated his property, which had fallen into disrepair. Herrling orchestrated an elaborate scheme to ensure his body would never be found and that he would be presumed alive.
The Disposal of Wilding's Body
Herrling and her co-conspirators transported Wilding's body to her apartment, where they attempted to dissolve it in a bath of acid. When that failed, they dismembered the body using saws and disposed of the remains in San Francisco Bay.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
On March 15, 2024, Herrling pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison and ordered to pay $3.8 million in restitution to her victims. Kroth also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, receiving a sentence of 16 years and eight months, along with a $1.9 million restitution order.
US Attorney Martin Estrada commented on the case, stating, "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."
Herrling remains behind bars, serving her prison sentence. Worst Neighbour Ever is available for streaming on Netflix.
