Caroline Herrling Forged Financial Documents and Disposed of a Dead Body to Steal Millions. Here’s What Happened Next

A shocking fraud case out of California exposed how a multimillion-dollar financial scheme spiraled into one of the most disturbing criminal investigations in recent years. Caroline Joanne Herrling, also known as “Carrie Phenix,” admitted to forging legal documents, stealing millions of dollars from vulnerable victims, and helping conceal the death of an elderly man whose identity she continued to exploit for financial gain. The case gained renewed attention after being featured in Netflix’s Worst Neighbor Ever, leaving many wondering what happened to Herrling and how investigators uncovered the truth.

Who Is Caroline Herrling?

Caroline Joanne Herrling was a resident of West Hills, California, who portrayed herself as a professional working in trusts and estates. Neighbors described her as friendly and well-spoken when she first moved into Los Angeles.

However, by 2020, people living near her noticed a dramatic change in her behavior. They reported suspicious visitors, late-night gatherings, and increasingly unusual activity surrounding Herrling’s residence. Those observations eventually became part of a much larger criminal investigation.

How the Fraud Scheme Began

Federal prosecutors said Herrling and her associates specifically targeted vulnerable homeowners.

According to court documents, the group searched affluent neighborhoods for homes that appeared neglected or abandoned. Overgrown landscaping, algae-filled swimming pools, and signs of poor maintenance often indicated elderly or incapacitated owners.

One of those homes belonged to Charles Wilding, a longtime Sherman Oaks resident.

Authorities believe conspirators entered Wilding’s property in 2020 and eventually began taking control of his finances and real estate after his death, which investigators say occurred around September 2020 under circumstances that remain uncertain.

Forged Documents Helped Steal Millions

Rather than reporting Wilding’s death, prosecutors said Herrling orchestrated a sophisticated fraud scheme designed to make it appear that he was still alive.

Investigators discovered that Herrling:

• Forged power-of-attorney documents.
• Created fake trust paperwork.
• Made herself trustee and beneficiary.
• Accessed bank accounts.
• Attempted to sell valuable real estate.
• Controlled financial assets belonging to multiple victims.

Authorities estimated the overall fraud totaled approximately $3.9 million, including stolen real estate, bank accounts, and other financial assets.

Charles Wilding’s Disappearance

The investigation began after neighbors noticed they had not seen Charles Wilding for an extended period.

When police conducted a welfare check in late 2020, Herrling claimed she was managing Wilding’s affairs and insisted he was staying with friends.

Investigators later concluded those statements were false.

As detectives dug deeper into financial records, forged legal paperwork, and suspicious property transactions, they realized an extensive identity theft operation had been operating under Wilding’s name.

The Disturbing Discovery

Perhaps the most horrifying aspect of the case involved what happened after Wilding died.

According to Herrling’s later confession and federal prosecutors:

• Wilding’s body remained inside his home while conspirators stole his assets.
• The body was later moved to Herrling’s apartment.
• Attempts were made to dissolve the remains using chemicals.
• When that failed, the body was dismembered.
• The remains were sealed into vacuum bags.
• Another conspirator helped transport and dispose of them in San Francisco Bay.

Wilding’s remains have never been recovered.

Investigators emphasized they do not believe Herrling caused Wilding’s death. Instead, she admitted helping conceal it so the fraud scheme could continue without interruption.

Other Victims Were Also Targeted

The fraud conspiracy extended beyond Charles Wilding.

Federal prosecutors said Herrling also targeted another vulnerable homeowner, Robert Tascon.

Using forged identification documents and fake legal paperwork, conspirators sold Tascon’s home without his knowledge and diverted roughly $1.5 million in proceeds.

Court records state Tascon, who struggled with mental health issues, later died by suicide after losing his home. Prosecutors cited the devastating emotional impact the fraud had on victims and their families.

Investigation Uncovered the Scheme

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including:

• FBI
• U.S. Postal Inspection Service
• Los Angeles Police Department
• Adult Protective Services
• Federal prosecutors

Authorities executed search warrants in January 2023.

During the searches, investigators recovered:

• Forged legal documents.
• Financial records.
• Firearms.
• Narcotics.
• Identity theft evidence.
• Original paperwork belonging to victims.

The extensive paper trail ultimately revealed how the conspiracy manipulated trust documents and financial institutions to steal millions.

Caroline Herrling Pleaded Guilty

Herrling eventually pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

As part of her plea agreement, she admitted:

• Participating in the fraudulent financial scheme.
• Forging legal documents.
• Helping conceal Wilding’s death.
• Disposing of his remains.
• Continuing to impersonate him financially after his death.

Her confession became one of the key pieces of evidence supporting federal prosecutors’ case.

Sentence and Restitution

In March 2024, a federal judge sentenced Herrling to:

• 20 years (240 months) in federal prison
• Nearly $3.89 million in restitution

During sentencing, prosecutors described the crimes as motivated by greed and said vulnerable older adults had been specifically targeted.

The court emphasized the devastating consequences suffered by victims and their families.

Where Is Caroline Herrling Now?

As of 2026, Caroline Herrling is serving her federal prison sentence at FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas.

According to federal prison records cited by multiple reports, her projected release date is March 18, 2039, assuming no changes to her sentence.

Why the Case Drew National Attention

The Herrling investigation stood out because it combined several serious crimes into a single conspiracy:

• Identity theft
• Wire fraud
• Forgery
• Elder financial exploitation
• Real estate fraud
• Concealment of a death
• Disposal of human remains

The bizarre nature of the scheme later led to its inclusion in Netflix’s Worst Neighbor Ever, introducing the case to a much wider audience.

Final Thoughts

Caroline Herrling’s case remains one of the most disturbing financial fraud prosecutions in recent U.S. history. Prosecutors said she exploited vulnerable individuals, forged legal documents to seize millions of dollars in assets, and concealed a victim’s death so the scheme could continue. Her guilty plea, 20-year federal prison sentence, and multimillion-dollar restitution order brought the criminal case to a close, but the impact on the victims’ families continues to resonate years later.