UPDATE: An award-winning indie filmmaker, Fidel Ruiz Healy, returned to his Santa Monica home on September 16, 2025, to devastating news: his property had been ransacked by squatters who also burglarized his belongings. After a week and a half in New York for a work project, Healy discovered his metal gate wide open—his first sign that something was gravely wrong.
Upon entering, Healy was met with chaos. “Immediately walked in and my house was trashed,” he told KTLA. Every room had been ransacked, with his personal items tossed around, and surprising items—like bottles of alcohol and knives—found in his bed. Disturbingly, Healy noted, “There was still fresh food, like coffee and donuts with receipts from earlier that day,” indicating that the intruders had likely been living in his home for several days.
The most significant loss for Healy was his valuable camera equipment, essential for his work, along with hard drives containing much of his artistic content. He expressed concern over the financial and emotional toll this break-in has caused, stating, “I would love to get as much of it back as I can.”
In an alarming twist, Healy revealed that the thieves had even managed to access the area beneath his home, ripping out copper pipes from the ground. Following his unsettling discovery, Healy promptly contacted the police and secured his property. However, later that night, a neighbor heard someone attempting to re-enter the home, suggesting the squatters were eager to return to what they believed was their temporary residence.
Healy emphasized the support he’s received from his community, as friends rallied to create a GoFundMe page to help him recover from this traumatic experience. “I’m at a loss for words. It’s just great to be part of an artistic community that is there to support you,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s just stuff and I’m safe.”
Currently, Healy is working to establish a security system for his home to prevent future incidents. The Santa Monica Police Department is actively investigating the break-in, but no suspects have been reported as of now.
This shocking incident highlights the urgent need for increased property security and community vigilance. As the investigation unfolds, residents are advised to remain alert and report any suspicious activity.
