Army Veteran Charged in Billionaire’s California Estate Break-In
A Nevada Army veteran faces serious charges in connection with a violent break-in at the California estate of billionaire Ty Warner. Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, is accused of attacking a woman, leaving her in a coma, while claiming to be under the control of pop star Katy Perry, according to court testimony.
This case raises significant questions about mental health interventions and public safety, especially considering Phay’s family had alerted authorities to his deteriorating mental state prior to the incident. The implications for mental health policies and law enforcement’s role in such crises are profound, making this a critical story for community oversight and advocacy.
Key Developments
- Phay is charged with first-degree attempted murder, kidnapping, residential burglary, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and resisting arrest.
- A separate assault charge is also under investigation involving another victim who was found unconscious on the same day.
- Phay’s family had previously warned authorities of his mental health crisis, claiming their concerns went unaddressed.
- He was reportedly found barricaded in a bathroom during police apprehension and attempted to escape through a window.
- Phay has a history of criminal behavior, including prior convictions for assault and stalking.
Full Report
Russell Maxwell Phay’s arrest stems from an incident that occurred on the 1000 block of Fairway Road in Santa Barbara County, where deputies were alerted to a possible home invasion. Upon arrival, deputies discovered a woman with severe injuries outside the home, requiring urgent medical attention.
Inside the residence, Phay had barricaded himself in an upstairs bathroom. After refusing to comply with police orders, he attempted to escape out of a second-story window but was apprehended by law enforcement, aided by a K-9 unit. It was later revealed that Ty Warner, the founder of the Beanie Babies brand, was present during the break-in but managed to escape unharmed.
During a preliminary hearing, Detective Matthew Maxwell disclosed that Phay believed he was married to Katy Perry and thought he shared a psychic connection with her. He claimed Perry instructed him to invade Warner’s home, wrongly assuming the female victim was Perry’s mother and that she was abusive. The female victim is currently in a coma as a result of the attack.
Phay’s family expressed their frustration and sorrow, stating they had alerted multiple authorities about his mental health crisis prior to the attack, yet felt their concerns were ignored. They mentioned attempts to contact Colorado’s Department of Corrections but reported receiving no response. Their efforts to warn against potential harm have turned into grief and horror at the consequences of inaction.
Context & Previous Events
Russell Phay has a documented history of criminal behavior across several states, including prior convictions related to assault and stalking. Before the current charges, he was on parole in Colorado due to a felony menacing conviction in 2021. Earlier, Phay was featured in a San Francisco Chronicle article highlighting his experiences in Veterans Court, a program aimed at providing rehabilitation for veterans facing criminal charges. In statements made at that time, he described his military training with alarming clarity.
Phay is currently held on a $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in Santa Barbara Superior Court for a preliminary hearing in June. Mental competency proceedings were conducted earlier this year.
