She walks into a room and basically glows. That’s the consensus from the people who met her. Ellie Mae McNulty, a British-born actress and screenwriter, didn't look like a "squatter" in the way most people imagine—no hoodies, no breaking and entering, no bolt cutters.
Instead, she allegedly used charm. A lot of it.
The story that has gripped Malibu and the wider Los Angeles area isn’t just about someone refusing to leave a house. It’s a messy, high-stakes saga of legal loopholes, "psychological terror," and a total breakdown of the California rental system. If you’ve been following the Ellie Mae McNulty squatter headlines, you probably think it’s a simple case of a guest who overstayed their welcome. Honestly? It's way weirder than that.
The Malibu "Guest" Who Never Left
Back in September 2021, a 65-year-old man named Alden Marin met McNulty on a beach at Point Dume. It’s a gorgeous spot. Very "Old Malibu." According to reports from Vanity Fair and local news outlets like Fox News Digital, the two hit it off. She was an English Rose—well-spoken, talented, and seemingly in a bit of a housing pinch while waiting for her "new place" to be ready.
Marin offered his guest room. Just for a few days.
Days became weeks. Weeks turned into months. The "spirited actress" who once trained at The Lee Strasberg Institute and The Groundlings allegedly transformed. Her passion for storytelling—which her own website claims focuses on "hope, humor, and courage"—took a dark turn in real life.
By the time Marin’s family realized what was happening, the situation had escalated from a roommate annoyance to a full-blown legal siege.
How the Law Actually Worked in Her Favor
You’ve probably heard people complain about California’s tenant-friendly laws. Well, this is the case study they use to prove their point.
Once someone has been in a home for 30 days, they aren't just a guest anymore. They are a tenant. It doesn't matter if they haven't paid a single cent in rent. It doesn't matter if there is no signed lease.
- The Lockout Problem: When Marin was eventually moved to a medical facility for care, his family claimed McNulty changed the locks.
- The Police Response: In California, if someone claims they live there, the police often won't intervene. They call it a "civil matter."
- The Burden of Proof: The homeowner has to go through a formal eviction process, which can take a year or more and cost tens of thousands in legal fees.
McNulty wasn't just some random person off the street. She was an insider. She knew how to navigate the system. While she was allegedly living rent-free in a multi-million dollar Malibu home, she was filing her own paperwork and reportedly using the court system to delay her exit for as long as possible.
🔗 Read more: F 18 Crash Today: Why Military Aviation Mishaps Are Spiking
It Wasn't Just One House
This is where the story gets really wild. Local real estate agent Liz Benichou told Fox News that McNulty may have been doing this for a decade. A decade!
She allegedly targeted "weak" or vulnerable individuals, charming her way into their spare rooms before becoming a "nightmare roommate." The tragedy here is that the victims often felt ashamed. Who wants to admit they were tricked by a polite British screenwriter into giving up their own home?
The community in Malibu is tight-knit. People talk. But the bubble they live in—that sense of "everyone is like us"—is exactly what a professional squatter exploits.
The Psychological Toll
We talk about the money and the property, but we rarely talk about the mental health of the homeowners. Alden Marin’s family described a "campaign of psychological terror."
Imagine coming home to find your own locks changed. Imagine a stranger telling you that you are the one trespassing. It’s gaslighting on a professional level. For a man in his mid-60s, the stress was reportedly enough to land him in a medical facility.
Eventually, a judge did order her to leave, but the damage was done. The house was a shell of its former self, and the family was left with a legal bill that would make most people's eyes water.
What Homeowners Need to Do Right Now
If you’re reading this because you have a "friend" staying in your guest room for a few weeks, pay attention. The Ellie Mae McNulty squatter situation is a warning.
Never let a stay exceed 29 days
Seriously. Once you hit day 30, you are in a different legal universe. If they aren't out by day 28, you need to start getting very loud about it.
Get it in writing
Even if it's a friend. Even if it's an "English Rose" you met at the beach. Write a simple guest agreement that states they have no tenancy rights and a firm move-out date.
Background checks are not just for landlords
If someone is moving into your house, you need to know who they are. A quick Google search for names like McNulty might have saved Marin a lot of heartache. Check for previous evictions. Check for "squatter" keywords.
Watch for the red flags
Does their story keep changing? Is their "new apartment" always "almost ready"? Do they get defensive or aggressive when you bring up a move-out date? These aren't just personality quirks. They are tactics.
The Reality of 2026 Squatting
The laws are slowly changing. In early 2025 and moving into 2026, states like Florida and Alabama have passed "Squatter Hunter" style laws that allow sheriffs to remove unauthorized occupants within 24 hours.
California, however, remains a battlefield.
The Ellie Mae McNulty saga proves that you don't need a crowbar to steal a house. You just need a good accent, a bit of acting talent, and a deep understanding of the California Code of Civil Procedure. It's a sobering reminder that in the world of high-end real estate, sometimes the most dangerous person is the one you invited in for tea.
Take Action:
If you find yourself in a similar situation, do not try to "self-help" the eviction. Do not change the locks yourself or throw their stuff on the lawn—that can actually get you sued. Contact a specialized eviction attorney immediately. Document every interaction. Save every text message. The longer you wait, the more power the squatter gains.