The Parasites of Malibu

Anthony Flores and Anna Moore met Dr. Mark Sawusch at an ice-cream shop. A year later, he was dead and they were living in his oceanside house. [new york magazine logo](   [The Parasites of Malibu]( [Anthony Flores and Anna Moore met Dr. Mark Sawusch at an ice-cream shop. A year later, he was dead and they were living in his oceanside house.]( [By Justine Harman]( [The Parasites of Malibu]( [Audio: Listen to this article.]( [Audio: Listen to this article.]( Audio: Listen to this article. On a Friday afternoon in June 2017, Anthony Flores and his girlfriend, Anna Moore, decided to go out for vegan ice cream at Kippy’s. Though the pair lived 220 miles away, in Fresno, California, they were regulars at the Venice Beach ice-cream shop. “They came in all the time. They were striking,” says the owner, Kippy Miller. The couple did have a distinct look. Even for a casual trip, they tended to wear matching suits and ties. “I just don’t ever remember seeing them with another person,” Miller adds. As the couple looked at the flavors, a middle-aged man with closely cropped gray hair approached. Dr. Mark Sawusch, an ophthalmologist, had a question for the duo: “Do you know anything about this alkaline water?” They did, as it turned out. As far as anyone seems to know, the meeting at Kippy’s happened entirely by chance. Sawusch’s office was nearby, but otherwise he and the couple traveled in different circles. He examined eyes; they owned a yoga studio. In any case, by that evening, they had the keys to the doctor’s silver Tesla. A week later, Flores texted Sawusch to offer his and Moore’s help: “Our desire is to add ease and flow to your life and be of great service.” Sawusch responded, calling the couple “the BEST friends I have ever met in my entire life.” They moved from their apartment into his Malibu beach house that same day. In a few months, the doctor would be dead. For the next six years, people would wonder: Were Flores and Moore scammers who stumbled upon the perfect mark in a vegan-ice-cream shop? Or were they simply trying to help a man coming off the worst year of his life? [READ THE FULL STORY]( [Subscribe to New York Magfazine]( [Subscribe to New York Magfazine](     [Curbed]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Instagram]( [unsubscribe]( | [privacy notice]( This email was sent to {EMAIL}. View this email in your browser.Â]( Opt out of marketing emails [here.]( Reach the right online audience with us For advertising information on e-mail newsletters please contact AdOps@nymag.com Vox Media, LLC 1701 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.