Jennifer Aniston is relocating to her newly renovated $15 million Montecito mansion following a disturbing stalking incident that took place at her Bel-Air residence earlier this month. The ‘Friends’ star was reportedly inside her $21 million Bel-Air home on May 5 when a man identified as Jimmy Wayne Carwyle rammed through her gate in a vehicle. The break-in has shaken the 56-year-old actress, prompting her to accelerate the move to her Montecito property, which she purchased from Oprah Winfrey in 2022 through an off-market deal.
Aniston’s Montecito mansion, built in 1999, spans 4,320 square feet and features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a guesthouse, pool house, and cabana. Renovations included replacing the original blue windows with sleek white-framed ones, upgrading the balconies with dark metal railings, and adding a swimming pool. The estate boasts expansive grassy lawns, wooded surroundings for privacy, and parking space for up to 15 vehicles. Friends including Gwyneth Paltrow, Rob Lowe, and Jimmy Kimmel are said to be supportive of her move, offering to help her settle in. “Jen is happy to have a safe place to run to where she can let her hair down,” as per DailyMail
Alleged stalker faces felony charges
Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a 48-year-old Mississippi native, is currently held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles. He has been charged with felony stalking, felony vandalism, and an aggravating circumstance of posing a threat of great bodily harm. Prosecutors allege Carwyle harassed Aniston from March 2023 until his arrest in May 2025, sending her unsolicited messages across multiple platforms. A stay-away order has been issued, requiring Carwyle to remain at least 100 yards from Aniston. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 22 at the Hollywood Mental Health Division of Los Angeles Superior Court. If convicted, he could face up to three years in prison.
“He is not the same man”
Julia Carwyle, the estranged wife of the accused, has broken her silence about her ex-husband’s behavior. Speaking to Daily Mail, she described a disturbing descent into erratic behavior and substance abuse over the years. Julia claims she has had a restraining order against him since their separation and was unaware of his obsession with Aniston. “He had a secret life I knew nothing about,” she said, adding that they rarely watched television together and never discussed the actress. Julia believes mental illness and past substance abuse contributed to his actions. “It probably triggered him when we split up. It really messed him up mentally,” she said. Carwyle allegedly made several concerning online posts referring to Aniston as his “bride” and envisioning a spiritual union with her. Julia claims he believed he was communicating with Aniston via Facebook, further fueling his delusion. “He actually thought he was going to meet Jennifer,” she said. “He has been misled. Someone messed with his head.”
Legal proceedings continue
The case is being handled by Deputy District Attorney Sam Hulefeld of the DA’s Stalking and Threat Assessment Team. During a recent hearing, Judge Keith Schwartz questioned whether Carwyle fully understood the proceedings, suggesting a possible mental health evaluation. Aniston, known for maintaining a low profile, has not publicly commented on the incident. Her move to Montecito is seen as a necessary step toward regaining peace and safety after the traumatic event.