Son Sentenced to Life for Murder of Mother in Beverly Hills

Daniel Yacobi found guilty of first-degree murder for financial gain in the death of his mother, Violet Yacobi.

In late August 2025, a Los Angeles jury convicted Daniel Yacobi of first-degree murder for financial gain in the death of his mother, Violet Yacobi. The charge carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. The trial began in July 2025 after Yacobi had been in custody for over seven years.

Case Background

Violet Yacobi, 67, was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her Beverly Hills home on the evening of October 10, 2017. Her son Daniel and daughter Dina reported discovering the body. Initial investigation considered suicide, but detectives noted that dust on the staircase railing showed no disturbance, inconsistent with a fall over the rail. The autopsy determined the cause of death as asphyxia by neck compression (strangulation), and the death was ruled a homicide.

Evidence Presented at Trial

Cell tower data placed Daniel in Beverly Hills on October 9, 2017, contrary to his claim of being at his dental office.

Cellphone and Digital Records

• Cell tower data placed Daniel in Beverly Hills on October 9, 2017, contrary to his claim of being at his dental office in Inglewood.
• Facebook location data and security camera footage tracked his movements, including driving past his mother's house multiple times and stopping in the alley behind it.
• Coordinates placed him at the house from 6:39 p.m. to 7:48 p.m. on the evening of the murder.

Internet Searches

DNA Evidence

Daniel Yacobi's DNA was found under Violet Yacobi's fingernails.

Financial Motive

Daniel stood to inherit half of the family fortune, estimated at $13 million. He had complained to a friend that he was financially dependent on his parents. A family friend testified that Daniel asked about inheritance tax a few weeks before the murder. On October 10, 2017, six hours before the body was found, Daniel contacted a financial investor writing: "If I get a mil id want you to manage it..."

Statements and Behavior

Daniel initially told detectives he had not been at his mother's house on October 9 or before finding the body on October 10. Phone records contradicted this. Detectives observed him trying to align stories with his sister about performing CPR, which they interpreted as concern about DNA evidence.

Defense Arguments

Defense forensic pathologist Dr. Lary Simms testified that Violet Yacobi died from a ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brain stem, not strangulation.

The defense argued that petechiae were sunspots, neck marks were skin folds, and that a patterned chin injury matched a star-shaped design on the staircase railing, suggesting a fall. Dr. Simms also cited autopsy omissions: a spinal fracture and rib fractures not documented in the report.

The prosecution's medical experts disputed the AVM theory, stating there was no hemorrhage and that other doctors reviewing the slides did not see an AVM. They argued that the absence of catastrophic injuries (skull, arm, leg fractures) was inconsistent with a fall from 13 feet onto marble.

Investigation and Arrest

Detectives Mark Schwartz and George Elwell of the Beverly Hills Police Department led the investigation. Daniel Yacobi was arrested on February 12, 2018, at his home. During the arrest, his first request was to retrieve his toupee.