Former Soldier Charged After Executive Assault at Beanie Babies Tycoon's Montecito Mansion

Russell Maxwell Phay, a 42-year-old former Army combat veteran from Nevada, was charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, burglary, and resisting arrest after breaking into the Montecito mansion of Beanie Babies billionaire Ty Warner. Phay violently assaulted Linda Malek-Aslanian, a 60-year-old financial executive and former asset manager for Warner's hotels division, leaving her comatose due to a severe brain injury. Phay falsely claimed ownership of the estate and demanded that everyone inside leave, leading to a large-scale police response involving crisis negotiators, a BearCat armored vehicle, K-9 units, and a helicopter. Phay barricaded himself in a second-story bathroom and attempted to escape by jumping out a window but was apprehended by law enforcement. Warner was present at the mansion during the attack but was unharmed, and authorities believe Phay did not personally know either Warner or Malek-Aslanian. Phay is being held in Santa Barbara County Jail without bail amid concerns about his dangerousness given his military training and prior violent behavior.