California Man Gets 394 Years for Holding Elderly Woman Hostage and Torturing Her for 2 Years
A California man will spend the rest of his life behind bars for a shocking crime that authorities say is unlike anything they’ve seen before in San Mateo County.
57-year-old Ian Kroe was sentenced to a staggering 394 years to life after being convicted of 33 felonies, including repeated rape, torture, and imprisonment of a 74-year-old woman. The victim, who “survived beyond all odds,” spoke out at sentencing, reminding the world of her incredible resilience.
The nightmare began when Kroe befriended the woman in 2016, following his mother’s death. Their friendship grew, and the victim traveled from Minnesota to California. But in August 2020, Kroe trapped her in a hotel room, where he held her hostage for two years. During that time, he tortured and repeatedly raped her, threatening to kill her if she tried to escape.
When the woman broke her ankle, Kroe refused her medical care. He also drained her financial accounts, leaving her isolated and powerless. The abuse only stopped when the victim managed to reach out to a friend in 2022, who contacted police. Officers found her naked, bruised, and barely able to move, with a broken finger.
Throughout his trial, Kroe tried to delay justice by faking illness, but prosecutors saw through it. At sentencing, the judge made it clear: there will be no mercy.
District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe called this “an unusual case we have never encountered in San Mateo County.” Now, Kroe will never walk free again.
