News Summary
Daniel Yacobi, a 43-year-old former dentist, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the first-degree murder of his mother, Violet Yacobi, driven by financial motives. Despite his claims of innocence, evidence suggested premeditated intent, including a search history on asphyxiation methods. The case unravelled complex family dynamics, highlighting the tragic impact of greed on relationships.
Beverly Hills, California – A 43-year-old former dentist, Daniel Yacobi, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murder of his mother, Violet Yacobi, who was 67 at the time of her death on October 9, 2017. The conviction was rooted in financial motives, with a special-circumstance allegation that the murder was committed for financial gain.
Throughout the trial, Yacobi maintained his innocence, arguing that his mother’s death was an accident rather than homicide. He expressed regret for not taking the stand to testify in his own defense. The Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William Sadler stated that the financial motive was the predominant factor in the murder.
Authorities were alerted to Violet’s death when Daniel and his sister checked on her after she did not respond to calls. She was discovered on the marble floor of her Beverly Hills home, near the staircase. Initially, police did not suspect foul play, but further investigation led a coroner to rule her death a homicide, concluding she died from asphyxiation.
In February 2018, Yacobi was arrested after incriminating evidence suggested he had premeditated the murder. Prosecutors noted that Yacobi’s search history included terms related to chokeholds and choking-related deaths. Following the death of his father in 2016, Daniel stood to inherit a significant portion of Violet’s estimated $12 million estate, providing a possible financial incentive for the crime.
Yacobi’s defense team countered the prosecution’s claims, arguing that Violet’s death resulted from blunt force trauma related to a fall rather than strangulation. They suggested that Violet had taken several prescription medications and lacked any defensive wounds on her hands, indicating no struggle occurred during her passing.
Geo-location data placed Yacobi’s vehicle in the vicinity of his mother’s house around the time of her death. Testimony from the trial revealed that Yacobi had harbored resentment toward his mother and expressed a desire for financial independence, further contributing to the prosecution’s case against him.
The jury deliberated for just one day before reaching a guilty verdict against Yacobi on August 22, 2025. His arrest occurred more than four months after Violet’s tragic death, and the case highlighted disturbing family dynamics and the effects of financial greed.
The case drew significant attention due to its complexities involving familial relationships alongside the shocking details of financial motivation implicated in the murder. Friends and family of Yacobi expressed surprise at the conviction, considering his history of mental health struggles and ongoing relationship issues with his parents.
As the details surrounding the case unfold, it serves as a harrowing reminder of the lengths individuals may go to for financial gain and the tragic consequences that can result when family ties are severed by greed.
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Additional Resources
- People: Dentist Killed Mother in Beverly Hills Mansion
- Google Search: dentist murder case Beverly Hills
- Patch: Dentist Sentenced for Murdering Mother
- Wikipedia: Financial Motive in Criminal Cases
- ABC News: Los Angeles Dentist Arrested for Murder
- Google News: dentist Daniel Yacobi trial
- People: Wealthy Widow Found Dead, Son Convicted of Murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murder
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
