When the news broke about that horrific crash on the Pacific Coast Highway in October 2023, the focus was immediately on the four young lives lost. Niamh Rolston, Peyton Stewart, Asha Weir, and Deslyn Williams—all Pepperdine seniors—were gone in an instant. But as the legal gears began to grind, public attention shifted toward the driver of the red BMW. People started asking: Who is this kid? And more specifically, who are the fraser michael bohm parents?
It wasn't just idle curiosity. The case quickly became a flashpoint for conversations about wealth, privilege, and accountability in Malibu.
The Family Dynamic and That $8.7 Million Home
Fraser Bohm didn't come from nowhere. He grew up in the kind of environment most people only see on TV. His mother, Brooke Bohm, and his father, Chris Bohm, lived a life that was, by all outward appearances, peak Malibu.
For a long time, the family lived in a massive $8.7 million estate with sweeping views of the Pacific. You know the kind—floor-to-ceiling windows, infinity pool, the works. Honestly, it’s the kind of backdrop that makes the subsequent tragedy feel even more jarring. But the home life wasn't as perfect as the view.
Chris and Brooke Bohm went through a divorce that was finalized back in 2018. If you look at those old court records, you see the seeds of the very thing that would later become a focal point of the criminal trial: the BMW.
The BMW: A Birthday Gift With a Paper Trail
There’s been a lot of talk about the car Fraser was driving. It wasn't just a random vehicle; it was a 2016 BMW 6 Series. According to the divorce settlement between his parents, the car was a gift for Fraser’s 18th birthday.
The details are pretty specific. Brooke Bohm reportedly made a $25,000 down payment. Chris Bohm, who has worked for a medical technology company, was tasked with paying off the remaining installments. The plan was always to transfer the title to Fraser once he hit adulthood.
It’s a detail that hasn't sat well with the public. To many, it symbolized a "rich kid" lifestyle where high-powered machinery is handed over like a toy. Prosecutors later alleged that Fraser was clocked at 104 mph in a 45-mph zone just before the impact.
How the Parents Have Supported Him
Since the crash, the fraser michael bohm parents have been staples in the courtroom. If you’ve seen the footage from the Van Nuys Courthouse, you've likely seen Brooke Bohm walking closely beside her son. She’s often seen looking exhausted, clutching a designer handbag, while Fraser tries to shield his face from the cameras.
The family’s financial support has been massive, but it hasn't been easy. To get Fraser out on bail—which was initially set at a staggering $8 million before being lowered to $4 million—the family reportedly had to go to extreme lengths.
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- They sold the $8.7 million Malibu home.
- They reportedly drained retirement accounts.
- They sought help from friends and extended family to scrape together the bond.
His defense attorney, Alan Jackson (who you might recognize from the high-profile Karen Read trial), actually argued in court that the family’s assets shouldn’t be a factor in bail. He claimed they were essentially broke after trying to keep their son out of a cell while awaiting trial.
Chris Bohm: The Father’s Professional Background
While Brooke is the one most often photographed at the courthouse, Chris Bohm’s professional life has also come under the microscope. He’s spent years in the medical tech industry. This career provided the family with the affluent lifestyle they enjoyed in Malibu and their $700,000 vacation home in Palm Desert.
There’s a clear divide in how the public perceives this. On one side, you have a family doing what any parents would do—fighting for their child. On the other, there’s a feeling that their wealth allowed them to hire the "best of the best" to argue that this wasn't murder, but a tragic accident.
The Road Rage Defense
The defense team has been very vocal about a specific narrative. They claim Fraser wasn't just "joyriding." They argue he was being chased in a road-rage incident. According to his lawyers, another driver clipped Fraser’s car, causing him to lose control.
This is where the fraser michael bohm parents' investment in high-end legal counsel becomes apparent. They aren't just looking for a plea deal; they are fighting the murder charges head-on. The prosecution, however, points to the car’s "black box" data, which allegedly shows Fraser accelerating right before the crash.
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It’s a mess. A high-stakes, emotional, and incredibly public mess.
What’s Next for the Bohm Family?
As of early 2026, the legal battle is still dragging on. The judge recently denied a motion to toss the murder charges, meaning a trial is almost certain. For the parents, the financial and emotional toll is only going to grow.
They’ve moved out of the big Malibu estate. Their names are permanently linked to one of the most tragic events in recent California history. Regardless of the trial's outcome, the life they knew—the one with the $8 million views and the quiet prestige—is gone.
Key Takeaways for Following the Case
If you're keeping tabs on this, keep these points in mind:
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- Financial Shift: The family is no longer "Malibu wealthy" in the way they were; the legal fees and bail have reportedly liquidated most of their major assets.
- Legal Strategy: Watch for how the defense uses the "third-party culpability" (the road rage driver) to counter the "reckless speed" argument.
- Public Sentiment: The case remains a major talking point for PCH safety reforms, with many locals using Fraser as the "poster child" for why the road needs to be changed.
The trial will likely be one of the most-watched events in the Los Angeles court system this year. Stay tuned to local court dockets for the specific start date, as pretrial motions are currently wrapping up.