FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Case # 17CF0675
Date: November 9, 2017
OCDA SEEKING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF 73-YEAR-OLD WOMAN
SANTA ANA, Calif. –The Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA) is seeking additional information on the suspicious death of a 73-year-old woman who was in the care of William Marion “James” Carter at the time.
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Defendant |
Charges |
Court Date |
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William Marion “James” Carter, 67, Riverside |
Charged on March 17, 2017, with the following felony counts:
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Jury Trial
Nov. 15, 2017, at 9:00 a.m.
Department C-5, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana
Maximum Sentence 32 years in state prison |
Circumstances of the Case
- From March 10, 2016, to March 18, 2016, the defendant is accused of acting as a caretaker for his wife’s distant cousin, 73-year-old Carol Folz, by taking her to doctor appointments, running errands with her, and checking in on the victim.
- Sometime in March 2016, the victim passed away.
- The defendant is accused of contacting a private body removal service to transport the deceased victim from her home in Laguna Niguel to San Bernardino.
- Carter is further accused of cremating the victim’s body without notifying law enforcement, paramedics, or the coroner’s office after the defendant falsely claimed to be her brother and a doctor, and forged a notary’s signature on the cremation authorization.
The investigation in this case is ongoing. Anyone with additional information about the suspicious death of Carol Folz and/or anyone who believes they may have been a victim of the defendant is encouraged to contact OCDA Supervising District Attorney Investigator Damon Tucker at (714) 648-3615.
Click here to watch the video of defendant’s arrest.
Prosecutor: Deputy District Attorney George McFetridge, Major Fraud Unit