Beverly Hills Sues Over Cleanup Of Home Where Woman Was Found Living In Waste, Hoarding Conditions

SANTA MONICA, CA — The city of Beverly Hills is suing the estate of an elderly woman who was found living in human waste and hoarding conditions in her condominium in 2025 and later died, saying a court order is needed to clean up conditions hazardous to neighboring residents and others.

The city's Santa Monica Superior Court public nuisance lawsuit states that the true names and capacities of the estate members of the late Elizabeth Linda Paterson are currently unknown and that the pleadings will be updated later when that information becomes available.

Paterson's North Oakhurst Drive condominium is part of a 36-unit complex and Paterson was found living in the rear of the unit during a June 2025 welfare check by Fire Department personnel, the suit states. Paterson was blind, suffered from major medical conditions, was unable to walk unassisted, lived alone, and had virtually no help other than a person who dropped off food weekly, the suit states.

Fire Department personnel further reported that among the severe hoarding conditions they discarded materials, old food, biological hazards, and waste presumed to be human because no animals were present. Paterson, who was in her mid-70s, was hospitalized and later died.

City personnel later visited the unit and found numerous boxes, papers, clothing, trash, discarded materials and other debris throughout the interior of the unit, including accumulations visible from common areas and/or adjoining premises as well as conditions likely to attract or harbor pests, insects, rodents and vermin, the suit states.

"Given the duration and nature of noncompliance, the deceased-owner posture, the absence of an identified probate representative or responsible person ... there is no basis to believe defendants will abate all unlawful conditions without orders of this court...," the suit further states.

"Absent the relief requested herein, the city, its residents, neighboring occupants, emergency responders and the public will suffer irreparable harm from ongoing threats to life, limb, health, property, safety and public welfare," according to the complaint filed June 1.

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