Few California cases have drawn as much attention as the one surrounding Rebecca Grossman, the Hidden Hills philanthropist whose 2020 hit-and-run killed two young brothers in Westlake Village. From her second-degree murder conviction to the record-breaking civil verdict against her and former MLB pitcher Scott Erickson, this article breaks down everything confirmed about the case, her sentence, appeal, and current legal status.
Rebecca Grossman — Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rebecca Grossman |
| Age | 62 (as of 2026) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Socialite, philanthropist, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation |
| Spouse | Dr. Peter Grossman (plastic surgeon; divorce filed 2026) |
| Children | 2, including daughter Alexis Grossman |
| Notable Works | Co-founder and chair, Grossman Burn Foundation |
Who Is Rebecca Grossman?
Before 2020, Rebecca Grossman was best known as a Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist, co-founder and chair of the Grossman Burn Foundation alongside her husband, plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman. The foundation earned her recognition and awards across the philanthropic world, and she moved comfortably in Hidden Hills’ wealthy social circles.
That public image collapsed after September 29, 2020, when Grossman’s Mercedes-Benz SUV struck and killed two young brothers, Mark and Jacob Iskander, in a marked crosswalk in Westlake Village. The crash turned a well-known philanthropist into the defendant in one of California’s most closely watched vehicular homicide cases.
Today, “who is Rebecca Grossman” searches mostly return results tied to her criminal conviction and the massive civil judgment against her rather than her earlier philanthropic career — a shift that reflects just how thoroughly the case reshaped her public identity.
The Westlake Village Crash: What Happened
On the evening of September 29, 2020, Mark Iskander, 11, and his younger brother Jacob, 8, were crossing Triunfo Canyon Road in a marked crosswalk with their mother and younger sibling. Prosecutors said Grossman was driving as fast as 81 mph in a 45 mph residential zone at the moment of impact.
Investigators alleged Grossman and Scott Erickson, with whom she was romantically involved, had been drinking margaritas at a restaurant beforehand and were racing each other down the residential street. The boys had no chance to react; both were struck and killed almost instantly.
Grossman did not stop at the scene. Her SUV, with visible front-end damage, came to a halt roughly a third of a mile away after the engine gave out. She was arrested the same night and later released on $2 million bond, and the hit-and-run element became a central piece of the case prosecutors built against her.
Criminal Trial, Conviction, and Sentencing
Rebecca Grossman’s criminal trial unfolded in the Van Nuys Superior Court, presided over by Judge Joseph Brandolino. Prosecutors argued that her excessive speed on a residential street, after drinking, met the legal standard for implied malice — the basis for a murder charge rather than a lesser manslaughter count.
On February 23, 2024, a jury convicted Grossman on two felony counts of second-degree murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death. Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman’s office treated the verdict as a landmark accountability case involving excessive speed in a pedestrian zone.
She was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison. Her defense presented character witnesses tied to her philanthropy through the Grossman Burn Foundation, but the jury was ultimately unmoved by that presentation given the weight of the prosecution’s evidence on speed and intoxication.
The Appeal: Convictions Upheld in 2026
Grossman’s attorneys filed an appeal shortly after her 2024 sentencing, arguing the trial judge failed to properly instruct the jury on the legal definition of “implied malice” — the element needed to support second-degree murder rather than manslaughter. Oral arguments before a three-judge panel wrapped up in early February 2026.
A three-judge panel of California’s Second Appellate District upheld her conviction on March 17, 2026, affirming the original 2024 verdict in full and rejecting the defense’s argument. Grossman’s appellate attorney indicated she intended to seek review from the California Supreme Court, though that step is discretionary and not guaranteed to be heard.
With the appeal denied, Grossman remains incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Chino, continuing to serve her 15-years-to-life sentence. The ruling closed off her strongest legal avenue for overturning the murder convictions themselves.
The Civil Wrongful-Death Trial and Record Damages
While the criminal case was working through appeal, the Iskander family pursued a separate civil wrongful-death lawsuit against Rebecca Grossman, her husband Peter Grossman, and Scott Erickson. The trial, held in Los Angeles Superior Court under Judge Huey P. Cotton Jr., began in April 2026 and ran roughly five weeks.
Phase 2 — Punitive Damages
Jurors also found that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, sending the case into a punitive phase. On June 10, 2026, the jury ordered Grossman to pay an additional $21 million in punitive damages, while Erickson was ordered to pay $1.17 million, bringing the combined judgment to roughly $198 million. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Panish represented the Iskander family, while Grossman’s attorney Esther Holm argued the crash was an unintended accident. NBC Los Angeles
Scott Erickson’s Role in the Case
Scott Erickson, a former Los Angeles Dodgers and MLB pitcher, was romantically involved with Rebecca Grossman at the time of the crash. He was never charged criminally — the DA’s office pursued murder and manslaughter counts against Grossman only — but the civil trial treated him as a co-defendant.
Jurors determined that Grossman and Erickson acted with malice, oppression, and, in Erickson’s case, fraud during the incident, a finding tied largely to his admitted lies to investigators after the crash. His attorney conceded he made “stupid, stupid decisions,” a tactical move meant to limit the punitive damages jurors would ultimately impose.
Despite not striking the Iskander boys with his own vehicle, Erickson was found jointly liable for the $176 million compensatory award because his conduct — racing alongside Grossman — was ruled a substantial contributing factor in the fatal outcome.
Peter Grossman, Family Wealth, and Asset-Shielding Claims
Dr. Peter Grossman, Rebecca’s husband and a prominent plastic surgeon who directs the Grossman Burn Center locations, became a significant figure in the civil trial’s punitive phase. Plaintiffs’ attorney Brian Panish questioned him extensively about property transfers involving the couple’s 14,000-square-foot Hidden Hills mansion.
According to court testimony, ownership of the home was shifted from joint names to Peter Grossman alone through a promissory note, later placed into a trust. Panish argued this was a deliberate scheme to shield family assets from an anticipated judgment, pointing to recorded prison phone calls in which the couple discussed hiding home equity from what they called an “ambulance chaser.”
Peter Grossman denied intentionally hiding assets from the family, though jurors heard evidence connecting the couple’s wealth and business holdings, including the Grossman Burn Center, to the broader punitive-damages calculation. His testimony was widely described as evasive under cross-examination.
Rebecca Grossman’s Divorce
Amid the fallout from the civil verdicts, Peter Grossman filed for divorce from Rebecca Grossman, citing irreconcilable differences. The filing came after years of strain tied to the criminal case, the punitive-damages scrutiny of the family’s finances, and public criticism over the asset-transfer allegations raised at trial.
Court filings referenced a marriage dating back to May 28, 2000, though reports have varied on the exact separation timeline the couple cited. The divorce adds another layer to an already complicated legal picture, since marital assets and the civil judgment against Rebecca Grossman may intersect in future proceedings.
Panish, representing the Iskander family, has publicly suggested the divorce filing could itself be read as part of a broader effort to protect shared assets from collection, though the Grossmans have not confirmed that characterization.
Rebecca Grossman Net Worth
There’s no verified, official figure for Rebecca Grossman’s personal net worth. Estimates circulating online for the Grossman family’s combined wealth — largely built through Peter Grossman’s plastic surgery practice and the Grossman Burn Center network — vary widely and aren’t independently confirmed by court filings or financial disclosures.
What is documented is the family’s real estate holdings, including the 14,000-square-foot Hidden Hills mansion at the center of the asset-shielding testimony, along with a Westlake Village property. The couple’s finances came under direct scrutiny during the punitive-damages phase precisely because plaintiffs needed to establish an ability to pay a substantial award.
Given the $198 million combined civil judgment against her, along with the divorce proceedings now underway, Rebecca Grossman’s actual financial position going forward is likely to look very different from whatever her pre-2020 net worth may have been.
FAQs
How old were the Iskander brothers who died in the crash?
Mark Iskander was 11 and his younger brother Jacob was 8 at the time of the September 29, 2020 crash in Westlake Village.
What was Rebecca Grossman convicted of?
She was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter, and one count of hit-and-run driving resulting in death.
What is Rebecca Grossman’s sentence?
She was sentenced to 15 years to life in California state prison and is currently incarcerated at the California Institution for Women in Chino.
Did Rebecca Grossman appeal her conviction?
Yes. She appealed in 2024, arguing the jury was improperly instructed on implied malice. A California appellate court upheld her convictions on March 17, 2026.
What happened to Scott Erickson in the case?
Erickson was never criminally charged, but a civil jury found him negligent and jointly liable for the $176 million compensatory award, plus $1.17 million in punitive damages.
How much did the civil jury award in total?
The Iskander family was awarded $176 million in compensatory damages and an additional $21 million in punitive damages against Grossman ($1.17 million against Erickson), totaling roughly $198 million.
Is Rebecca Grossman still married?
No. Following the 2026 civil verdicts, her husband Dr. Peter Grossman filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
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