In a shocking turn of events that has gripped Los Angeles, Caroline Joanne Herrling, a 44-year-old woman from West Hills, has been handed a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sophisticated real estate fraud scheme. This scheme not only involved illegal squatting but also escalated to the gruesome act of dismembering and disposing of a human body. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced that Herrling is also required to pay restitution amounting to $3,887,051 for her crimes.
Described by U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada as “greedy and grotesque,” Herrling’s actions have inflicted deep wounds on the victims and their families. Estrada emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable when they exploit vulnerable sectors of the community, particularly the elderly. He assured that his office is committed to ensuring justice for such predatory offenses.
Operating under the alias “Carrie Phenix,” Herrling, along with her accomplices, targeted properties in upscale neighborhoods that showed signs of neglect, such as algae-infested pools and overgrown gardens. Their method involved using online maps to scout for potential targets and physically visiting these neighborhoods to confirm the state of the properties.
In 2020, Herrling and her group set their sights on a luxurious home in Sherman Oaks, belonging to 71-year-old Charles Wilding. They broke into his home, and under mysterious circumstances, Wilding died in September of that year. Herrling and her associates then took over the property, leaving Wilding’s body to decompose as they plundered his assets. Utilizing a forged power-of-attorney document, Herrling falsely represented herself as acting on Wilding’s behalf to misappropriate his real estate and financial accounts.
The investigation into these heinous acts began in October 2021, following reports from neighbors about Wilding’s disappearance. Herrling deceitfully identified herself to the police as a close friend of Wilding and his family and claimed to be the trustee of Wilding’s family trust—a document later revealed to be forged.
The situation took a darker turn when Herrling and her co-conspirators attempted to dissolve Wilding’s body using chemicals. When this failed, they resorted to dismembering the body, sealing the parts in vacuum bags, and disposing of them in the San Francisco Bay with the help of an accomplice who owned a sailboat. Wilding’s remains have yet to be found.
In addition to the Wilding case, Herrling was involved in defrauding another victim, Robert Tascon, by selling his home without his consent. This fraudulent sale, facilitated by an accomplice posing as Tascon with a fake ID, netted approximately $1.5 million. The loss of his home, compounded by mental health issues, led Tascon to take his own life.
Herrling has been in federal custody since January 2023 and pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud two months following her arrest. Her accomplice, Matthew Jason Kroth, 50, has also pleaded guilty to related charges and awaits sentencing.
This case has not only highlighted the extreme lengths to which individuals will go for financial gain but also the devastating impact their actions can have on the lives of innocent people. As the legal proceedings continue, the community is left to grapple with the chilling reminder of the darkness that can lurk behind closed doors in seemingly peaceful neighborhoods.