Beverly Hills Sues Estate of Late Resident Over Hazardous Hoarding Conditions

Beverly Hills officials have filed a lawsuit against the estate of a late resident whose condominium was discovered filled with severe hoarding debris and human waste. The city is seeking a court order to remediate the hazardous conditions, which threaten neighboring residents and others.

According to the public nuisance action filed in Santa Monica Superior Court, the true names and capacities of Elizabeth Linda Paterson's estate members remain unknown, though pleadings will be updated once details become available. The city has not identified a probate proceeding or authorized personal representative besides Paterson.

Fire Department personnel originally uncovered the situation during a June 2025 welfare check at the 36-unit North Oakhurst Drive complex. The lawsuit states that Paterson was blind, suffered major medical conditions, and could not walk unassisted. She lived alone in the rear of her home, receiving virtually no help beyond a weekly food drop-off.

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.

The city says the property has unlawful, unsafe, substandard and unsanitary conditions that need to be addressed.

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.

The city is seeking court intervention under California law and Beverly Hills’ housing, building, fire, property-maintenance and nuisance codes.