The police arrived just as the lock broke.
While the police were taking Eleanor’s statement at my gate, she was simultaneously destroying herself on social media.
Her Facebook post at 11:47 a.m. read:
Unbelievable. At my new Malibu beach house, and my ungrateful daughter-in-law has locked me out. Marcus bought this for me, and she’s trying to steal it. The police are here now to sort this out. Everyone, please share this injustice.
Within an hour, she tagged over 200 people from the California social elite.
The comments started supportive, but quickly turned skeptical as Patricia Worthington posted:
“Eleanor, the police just confirmed you don’t own this property. This is embarrassing.”
Undeterred, Eleanor went live on Instagram.
“I’m here at what should be the Drexler family beach house, and you won’t believe what’s happening.”
She streamed for 12 minutes, showing the police, the security guards, and her failed attempt to enter, all while claiming ownership.
Then she made the announcement that would seal her fate.
“Don’t worry, everyone. At the California Real Estate Association gala next week, where I’m a gold sponsor, I’ll be announcing the truth about this property and my ungrateful daughter-in-law’s schemes. Everyone who matters will be there.”
She’d also called Coastal Living magazine.
“I need to cancel the photo shoot for the Drexler beach house feature. There’s been a temporary delay, but we’ll reschedule after the gala.”
The editor, confused, responded publicly on Twitter.
We have no record of a Drexler beach house feature. Our October issue features Josephine Drexler’s stunning Malibu property. The shoot is still scheduled.
Eleanor’s narrative was crumbling publicly, but she doubled down.
