A woman is in a coma following a violent break-in at the Montecito mansion of Beanie Babies mogul Ty Warner. The incident occurred last Wednesday (May 21) when Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, from Henderson, Nevada, allegedly broke into Warner’s home. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, Phay violently attacked a stranger inside the residence, identified as L. Malek-Aslanian, who sustained severe injuries and was found outside the home.
Authorities quickly responded, and a significant law enforcement presence, including armored vehicles, surrounded the property. Phay barricaded himself in an upstairs bathroom before attempting to escape by climbing out of a second-story window. He was apprehended by deputies and a Sheriff’s K9 after jumping to the ground.
The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has charged Phay with multiple offenses, including first-degree attempted murder, residential burglary, kidnapping, and assault. He also faces special allegations for inflicting great bodily injury resulting in a coma. Phay has pleaded not guilty, and his bail is set at $1 million. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 2.
The criminal complaint indicates that Phay intended to burglarize the home and held Malek-Aslanian against her will, causing significant injury. Investigators have found no evidence that Phay and the victim knew each other.
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