Widow, 96, preparing to celebrate her birthday was killed in alleged murder-for-hire plot at her home

A "vibrant" 96-year-old widow preparing to bake cookies for her birthday was killed at her Montecito, California, home in an alleged murder-for-hire plot, according to authorities who said the case involved a "tangled evil web of financial exploitation."

Widow, 96, preparing to celebrate her birthday was killed in alleged murder-for-hire plot at her home
A "vibrant" 96-year-old widow preparing to bake cookies for her birthday was killed at her Montecito, California, home in an alleged murder-for-hire plot, according to authorities who said the case involved a "tangled evil web of financial exploitation."