When Grief Meets Vulnerability: How Criminals Target the Recently Bereaved
In California’s South Bay, a disturbing trend has emerged that compounds the pain of losing a loved one. Several families have reported their homes being burglarized shortly after publishing obituaries, suggesting criminals are systematically exploiting public grief announcements to identify empty homes. While this tactic isn’t new, law enforcement experts believe it may be experiencing a resurgence as criminals become more sophisticated in gathering and analyzing publicly available information. These targeted burglaries represent a particularly cruel exploitation of families during their most vulnerable moments, turning the necessary rituals of mourning into opportunities for theft.
Retired Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Jeff Wenninger explains that these crimes are rarely personal but are instead calculated exploitations of predictability. “Using obituaries is just one method of casing a location,” Wenninger notes. “Really, we have to be pragmatic about predictability and vulnerability. Predictability is the suspect being able to predict when you will not be home.” The criminals aren’t acting on single pieces of information but are instead piecing together multiple indicators – obituaries, funeral announcements, social media posts, and disruptions to normal routines – to determine when homes will be vacant. This methodical approach allows them to target not just the deceased’s home but potentially the residences of multiple family members mentioned in obituaries who would likely be attending memorial services.
The pattern mirrors similar targeting strategies seen in high-profile burglaries of professional athletes, whose absences can be predicted through published game schedules. In both scenarios, criminals exploit publicly available information to create opportunities. In Saratoga, California, one family told NBC Bay Area that their mother-in-law’s home was burglarized just two days after her obituary appeared in a local newspaper. Security footage showed suspects entering the home and later departing with valuables, including a safe and sterling silverware. The criminals had used an ax to break through a rear sliding glass door, adding property damage to the emotional violation. “We’re already grappling with the loss of our mother-in-law, and this just adds insult to injury,” relative John Tuttle told reporters, describing the crime as “below human dignity.”
These burglaries typically involve planning rather than opportunistic theft, with criminals often belonging to organized groups that work efficiently and target specific items. “These groups are very specific about what they want,” Wenninger explains. “They’re not going in to ransack a place. They want jewelry, watches, cash, and they want to get in and out fast.” In a similar incident in nearby Los Gatos, thieves stole guns, sterling silverware, and irreplaceable family heirlooms from a recently deceased father’s home just one day after his obituary was published. What makes obituaries particularly useful to criminals is the wealth of information they typically contain – service details, locations, times, and family names – which can expose multiple residences at once. Modern technology has shifted the advantage toward criminals, who can quickly research additional information about family members mentioned in obituaries and determine their addresses.
Law enforcement and security experts recommend several precautions for families during times of loss. The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office advises “securing doors and windows, notifying trusted neighbors, and avoiding publicly sharing travel or funeral details until after the event.” Security expert Michael Leininger suggests limiting personal information in obituaries, particularly service logistics and family names that could expose additional homes while relatives are away. Practical measures include making homes appear occupied during funerals and memorial services by having trusted friends come and go, keeping lights on timers, and avoiding obvious signs of absence. Wenninger also cautions against sharing real-time information on social media: “People like to post things in real time, and really you’re potentially putting yourself in harm’s way because you’re making yourself predictable. Less is more. Post it after you get home.”
Despite the disturbing nature of these crimes, experts emphasize that awareness, not fear, should be the goal. “This isn’t about overreacting or allowing the threat of being burglarized to dictate what you do socially,” Wenninger notes. “It’s about being aware of what is being done to identify potential victims and taking the steps necessary to defeat those measures.” The violation of a home during a time of grief represents a particularly painful secondary trauma for families already dealing with loss. As one victim asked, “Who takes advantage of someone at the saddest and weakest moments of their life?” While law enforcement continues to investigate these cases, families are encouraged to take precautions with how they share information during periods of bereavement. By being mindful about what information becomes public and taking basic security measures, families can reduce their vulnerability during an already difficult time and protect themselves from those who would exploit their moments of grief.
