Violent “Evelyn” Alberts, a wealthy 96-year-old woman killed in a plot to steal her lavish California home, made herself an easy target by isolating herself with a “mistrusting” attitude and fear that those around her wanted her money, her former stepson told Fox News Digital.

When she was found dead in bed at her Montecito home in May 2022, ingredients to bake cookies in celebration of her upcoming birthday were found laid out on the table.

Porter Ranch resident and caregiver Pauline Macareno, 48, was charged with elder abuse, fraud and manipulation of legal documents in relation to Alberts’ death, according to the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Department.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said at a press conference last Friday that she tricked Alberts by offering her a reverse mortgage and “orchestrated a series of transactions, including forging documents and establishing fraudulent entities to gain control over Alberts’ assets unlawfully” in 2022.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department did not return Fox News Digital’s requests for comment on the case at press time.