Army veteran accused in Beanie Babies founder mansion break-in claimed pop star controlled him: report

Fox News Flash top headlines for December 21 Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com. A Nevada Army veteran accused of a violent break-in at billionaire Ty Warner’s California estate that left a woman comatose told investigators he believed pop star Katy Perry was controlling him, court testimony shows. Russell Maxwell Phay, 42, of Henderson, Nevada, is charged with first-degree attempted murder with premeditation and deliberation, kidnapping, residential burglary, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, and resisting a peace officer, according to the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office. Court records further show Phay is charged in a separate assault involving a second victim who was found unconscious earlier the same day. That charge also includes a special allegation for personally inflicting great bodily injury. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 1000 block of Fairway Road around 4:30 p.m. after reports of a possible home invasion or vehicle theft in progress. When deputies arrived, they found a female victim outside the residence suffering from severe injuries and requiring emergency medical care. EX-KENTUCKY SHERIFF ADMITS TO SHOOTING JUDGE BUT CLAIMS HE 'HAD NO CONTROL' OVER ACTIONS: REPORT Army veteran Russell Maxwell Phay's family warned authorities about his mental health crisis days before he allegedly attacked woman at billionaire Ty Warner's California estate, according to reports. (Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office) Investigators said Phay remained inside the home, prompting deputies to establish a perimeter and call in additional resources, including air support, armored vehicles and crisis negotiators, amid concerns there could be additional victims or hostages inside. Authorities later determined all other occupants had escaped safely. Deputies eventually located Phay barricaded inside an upstairs bathroom, according to the sheriff’s office. After refusing commands to surrender, Phay attempted to flee by climbing out of a second-story window before being apprehended by deputies and a Sheriff’s K-9 unit. Court records filed by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office identify the homeowner as Warner , the billionaire founder and former CEO of the Beanie Babies brand. Prosecutors said Warner was inside the home at the time of the alleged break-in but managed to escape and contact authorities. Katy Perry performs during the FireAid benefit concert on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) During a preliminary hearing, Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office Detective Matthew Maxwell testified that Phay told investigators he believed he was married to Katy Perry and shared what he described as a psychic "head link" with her, according to SFGate. Maxwell testified that Phay said he believed the singer instructed him to go to the Montecito home, which he thought belonged to her. When he encountered the woman inside, Phay allegedly believed she was Perry’s mother and thought she was abusive, according to the outlet. Perry has owned property in the Montecito area. Detective Maxwell also testified that the Warner estate attack was Phay’s second violent assault within days, the...

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