Malibu homeowners are back in the spotlight this week after a Hulu docuseries revisited claims that a woman moved into multiple Point Dume houses and would not leave, turning casual stays into drawn-out courtroom battles. Victims allege the guest, identified in reporting as Ellie Mae McNulty, charmed her way into upscale homes, overstayed for weeks and left owners to slog through slow, costly evictions. The series' Malibu chapter has reignited local frustration over how tenant protections can leave property owners with months-long legal headaches.
Vanity Fair's investigation and the Marin case
Vanity Fair published a long feature tracing what it describes as a pattern of alleged squatting in and around Point Dume, reporting that McNulty, a British actress and screenwriter, stayed in homes for weeks, used hosts' credit cards and at times "trashed the place." That reporting says Alden Marin, a 65-year-old artist and stage-IV cancer patient, hosted McNulty in the fall of 2021 and later went to court, and that a judge ordered McNulty to vacate the property in 2022.
Hulu episode brings the fights to streaming
As ABC News Studios' press release notes, the six-episode series "Squatters: Get The F*** Out of My House" includes a Malibu installment titled "The Parasite of Malibu" and began streaming on Hulu in early June, according to the network's release. The show, executive produced by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, frames the cases as legal and emotional clashes between homeowners and occupants.
Why California law complicates removal
California law can treat long-term guests as tenants at will, which means owners often must file a formal unlawful-detainer case to evict someone, a process that can take months and that bars "self-help" lockouts, according to the California Courts. That procedural protection, intended to prevent unfair displacement, is the core legal hurdle homeowners in the episode say they faced.
Local victims and a pattern
Local reporting says the Marins' fight is one of several linked to McNulty. Patch reported that Mindy Marin discovered more than 10 legal actions involving McNulty stretching back nearly two decades. Other alleged victims, including an elderly Santa Monica widow and a yoga teacher who say they were stiffed or put through protracted disputes, are recounted in recent coverage that underscores a pattern neighbors find alarming.
What homeowners should know
Homeowners confronting an overstaying guest are advised to document interactions, preserve evidence of dates and expenditures and consult an attorney before attempting removal, as the California Courts materials make clear. The only lawful path to regain possession is a court judgment, and owners who use "self-help" measures such as changing locks or removing belongings can be penalized and can prolong the dispute.
With the Hulu episode now streaming, Point Dume residents say they hope the spotlight leads to clearer public guidance and faster ways to resolve these disputes. For now, the cases are a reminder that the line between guest and tenant can be legally messy and expensive for both sides.
