Neighbors charged in $20K theft from 88-year-old woman before and after her death

WARMINSTER TWP., Pa. (WPVI) -- Warminster police continue to investigate after they say suspects stole more than $20,000 from their neighbor, 88-year-old Lydia Sakaitis, before and after her death.

The investigation began in February after Sakaitis's niece saw suspicious charges on her aunt's bank account.

"She preyed on my aunt," said Sakaitis's niece, who lives in California and asked to remain anonymous. "I hope she goes to jail."

Gail Hills, 64, is facing felony charges, including financial exploitation of an older adult and conspiracy.

Hills was Sakaitis's neighbor at the Meadowood Condos in Warminster until she passed away at 88 years old in October 2024. Sakaitis's niece said her aunt never mentioned Hills.

"She was by herself and just relied on her friends that she made over the years," said the niece. "I guess she thought Gail was her friend, and turned out she wasn't"

The niece said Hills visited Sakaitis in the hospital and brought her rosary beads and her checkbook.

Warminster Police Chief Jim Donnelly said during that time, four checks were written out for nearly $12,000.

"We suspect Gail befriended the victim. She got her to either sign checks or forge her name on those checks, and cashed those checks to at least two different people," said Chief Donnelly.

Paul Gibbons, 45, and Wayne Hills, 68, who is Gail's former husband, are also charged.

Chief Donnelly said after Sakaitis died, the suspects withdrew nearly $1,500 from her bank account and sold her Hyundai Santa Fe. Now, they're trying to determine who notarized the vehicle title.

"It's upsetting. We all have parents. We all have family. We don't want to see our family taken advantage of," said Chief Donnelly.

The niece said Hills also emptied Sakaitis's apartment.

"I don't have anything because she got rid of everything," said the niece.

"The detective division is trying to get as much as they possibly can," said Chief Donnelly. "There could be missing jewelry, there could be missing cash, the whole apartment was cleared out."

After this incident, Chief Donnelly and the niece advise everyone to write a will and document valuable items.

"If you have elderly parents or grandparents, I would check in on them and make sure they're not being taken advantage of."

The Hills were released from jail on unsecured bail, while Gibbons is currently behind bars for an unrelated charge.

They're all due back in court in November.