Beanie Babies Billionaire's Mansion Becomes Scene of Brutal Assault
In the quiet enclave of Montecito, California — a town known more for its celebrity residents than for violent crime — a horrifying home invasion has left one woman fighting for her life. While details continue to emerge, the incident has shaken even the most insulated corners of this coastal community.
A Violent Intrusion in a Secluded Mansion
On the morning of May 21, 2025, Santa Barbara County authorities responded to a distress call from the home of Ty Warner, the billionaire behind the Beanie Babies craze of the 1990s. By the time deputies arrived, the scene was already grim.
Outside the estate, first responders found a woman, identified as Linda Malek-Aslanian, critically injured and unresponsive. According to a criminal complaint filed by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, Malek-Aslanian suffered a brain injury that left her in a coma.
The alleged attacker, 42-year-old Russell Maxwell Phay of Nevada, had barricaded himself inside the mansion's second-floor bathroom. Authorities say they initially didn't know if he had taken any hostages, prompting the sheriff's office to call in crisis negotiators and a special enforcement team.
Phay eventually tried to escape by leaping from a second-story window but was apprehended on the property.
A Victim With Ties to the Homeowner
While officials have not provided specific details about why Malek-Aslanian was at Warner's home, public records and social media indicate she is a financial services professional with past ties to Warner's hospitality business. Her LinkedIn page lists her as having previously worked for Warner Hotels, a division of Ty Inc.
According to ABC News, the criminal complaint describes her as "particularly vulnerable" but offers no further explanation.
Her family has not publicly commented on the incident.
Warner himself was reportedly home during the break-in but was not injured. According to a report from NBC affiliate KSBY, he managed to flee the scene safely and alert authorities.
A Suspect With a Troubling Past
This is not Phay's first encounter with law enforcement. Records reveal a pattern of erratic behavior and previous arrests, including a 2017 incident in Mt. Shasta where he allegedly assaulted passengers aboard a bus after accusing them of stealing his tools. One of the victims was an elderly woman.
Phay also has a documented history with the courts regarding domestic issues. In 2014, he appeared in a San Francisco Chronicle article discussing a court program for military veterans. At the time, he had been accused of following and threatening his estranged wife.
Court documents now accuse him of entering Warner's residence with the intent to burglarize and allegedly assaulting Malek-Aslanian with such force that she was left comatose. He's charged with first-degree attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, and burglary — all felonies — along with special allegations of causing great bodily harm.
Phay has pleaded not guilty and is being held on a $1 million bond. It remains unclear whether he has retained legal counsel.
What Comes Next
As of the latest update, Malek-Aslanian remains in a coma. Officials have not provided further information on her prognosis. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.
Ty Warner, a notoriously private individual, has yet to release a public statement. Representatives from his company, Ty Inc., have not responded to media requests.
For a woman who once worked in financial services, a visit to a former employer's home turned into a life-threatening ordeal that now has an entire community waiting for answers.
References: Break-in at Beanie Babies billionaire's California home leaves woman in coma | Violent break-in at home of Beanie Babies tycoon leaves woman in a coma | Violent break-in at Beanie Babies mogul Ty Warner's California home left woman in coma: DA | Woman in coma after violent break-in at California home of Beanie Babies billionaire, officials say
