• Mary Carole McDonnell claimed to be heir to McDonnell Douglas aviation fortune
  • Bellum Entertainment produced syndicated shows including “It Takes a Killer” and “I Married a Murderer”
  • FBI believes fugitive CEO is hiding in Dubai after seven years on the run

BURBANK, CA (TDR) — A former television producer whose company created true crime programs was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list last week for allegedly defrauding financial institutions of nearly $30 million by posing as an heiress to a prominent aviation family. Mary Carole McDonnell, the former CEO of Bellum Entertainment Group, which produced syndicated shows such as “Corrupt Crimes” and “Murderous Affairs,” has been on the lam for nearly seven years after the FBI charged her with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft.

McDonnell, 73, is believed to be hiding in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, according to the FBI announcement made December 5. The former chief executive at Bellum Entertainment LLC based in Burbank produced popular true crime series including “It Takes a Killer” and “I Married a Murderer” before the alleged fraud scheme unraveled in 2018.

Fabricated Aviation Fortune

Between July 2017 and May 2018, McDonnell allegedly approached Banc of California and additional financial institutions claiming to be an heir to the McDonnell Aircraft Family, with an $80 million secret trust account at her disposal. Bellum Entertainment was experiencing significant financial difficulties in 2017 when McDonnell secured a $14.7 million loan from a bank after falsely claiming she was related to the founders of McDonnell Douglas, a leading aviation and aerospace company, and had $28 million in a trust account according to court documents.

“It is alleged that McDonnell also defrauded additional financial institutions in a similar fashion, with an estimated loss of over $15 million.”

The elaborate deception allowed McDonnell to obtain substantial financing by leveraging the prestigious aviation family name. Prosecutors allege she defrauded multiple banks using similar tactics, with total estimated losses exceeding $15 million beyond the initial Banc of California loan.

Grand Jury Indictment

A federal grand jury indicted McDonnell in 2018 on charges of fraud and identity theft. The case is filed in federal court in Santa Ana, California, but McDonnell has not been found despite law enforcement efforts spanning nearly seven years. The former entertainment executive allegedly fled before authorities could apprehend her following the indictment.

International Fugitive Status

Federal investigators believe McDonnell fled to the United Arab Emirates, where she has remained beyond the reach of U.S. law enforcement. The FBI’s decision to add her to the Most Wanted list signals renewed urgency in the manhunt for the fugitive producer who once created programming about criminals facing justice.

The irony of a true crime producer becoming a fugitive herself has not escaped observers familiar with Bellum Entertainment’s programming. The company produced multiple syndicated series exploring criminal cases and investigations before McDonnell’s alleged fraud scheme brought similar scrutiny to her own business practices.

Authorities continue seeking information about McDonnell’s whereabouts and activities since fleeing the United States. The FBI encourages anyone with knowledge of her location to contact local law enforcement or the nearest FBI field office.

Will international cooperation lead to McDonnell’s eventual apprehension and extradition from Dubai?

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