Neighborhood helps Pacific Palisades widow focused in $38,000 rip-off – NBC Los Angeles
A Pacific Palisades girl is rebuilding her life after what she calls one of many hardest years she has ever confronted—displaced by fireplace, widowed by most cancers and focused by hackers who stole almost $40,000 she had saved to restore her house.
Ellen Rudolph is at present dwelling in Playa Vista whereas she waits for repairs to be accomplished on her Pacific Palisades house.
In January 2025, heavy flames tore by Pacific Palisades, forcing Rudolph and her husband, Steve Lewis, to evacuate their house on Jacon Method. After they returned days later, the home was nonetheless standing however coated in ash with heavy smoke injury.
“Of the 55 homes on the block, half a dozen survived,” Rudolph stated. “Three are being lived in, a number of are being rebuilt now. However there’s no lighting on the road, it’s scary.”
The couple briefly relocated to Playa Vista whereas their house underwent in depth fireplace remediation and cleansing. Just a few months later, Lewis was recognized with Stage 4 lung most cancers. He died in October at age 81.
“We had a phenomenally wealthy and loving relationship we adored one another, and I’ve no remorse with how we left issues, I might say, however I miss him terribly,” Rudolph stated.
Lewis and Rudolph have been collectively for almost three many years.
Whereas nonetheless grieving, Rudolph stated she was focused by hackers in January. She stated they stole $38,000, cash she had been saving to restore her Pacific Palisades house.
“I went down essentially the most horrific nightmarish rabbit gap for 3 days as they took over my pc,” she stated.
That’s when the neighborhood stepped in to assist the 71-year-old.
Rudolph stated her synagogue gave her $10,000 and began an internet fundraising marketing campaign to assist get well the remaining funds. Donations poured in from buddies, household and strangers.
“It’s humbling, and it provides me some perception sooner or later and humankind,” Rudolph stated.
She stated the kindness of her neighborhood helps her discover energy after struggling what she described as unimaginable loss—and the considered her husband, who was all the time her greatest supporter.
“He actually believed in me once I didn’t all the time consider in myself, and this can be a second the place I’m actually struggling to consider in myself,” she stated.
Rudolph stated she hopes that by sharing her story, others will take steps to guard themselves from hackers. She urged folks to confirm with their financial institution, a trusted member of the family or regulation enforcement earlier than making any main monetary choice.
