The Unseen Life: 5 Shocking Facts About Rachel Mae Buffett And Her Current Whereabouts (2025 Update)

Rachel Mae Buffett, a name once associated with the bright lights of Southern California's entertainment scene, is now inextricably linked to one of Orange County's most notorious double murder cases. As of December 2025, public curiosity remains high regarding the former actress and Disney princess performer who was convicted for her role in the aftermath of a shocking 2010 crime. The details of her involvement, her trial, and her current status paint a complex picture of deception, tragedy, and the devastating fallout from a high-profile murder plot.

The case, which involved her then-fiancé, Daniel Wozniak, a fellow actor and theater enthusiast, captivated the nation with its bizarre plot of financial desperation and cold-blooded murder. Buffett herself was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact, a conviction stemming from her deliberate lies to police that hindered the investigation into the deaths of two young people. Her story serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a life can change under the shadow of a horrific crime.

Rachel Mae Buffett: Full Biography and Case Profile

Rachel Mae Buffett’s life trajectory shifted dramatically from a promising career in acting and entertainment to a central figure in a major criminal investigation. Her biography is now defined by the events surrounding the 2010 murders.

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• Full Name: Rachel Mae Buffett
• Date of Birth: July 20, 1987
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 38 years old
• Place of Residence: Costa Mesa, California (at the time of the crime)
• Profession: Actress, entertainer, and former Disney Princess performer (specifically known for performing as a character at Disneyland).
• Key Relationship: Ex-fiancée of convicted double murderer Daniel Wozniak.
• The Crime: The double murder of Afghanistan veteran Samuel "Sam" Herr (26) and his friend Juri "Julie" Kibuishi (23) in May 2010.
• Motive for Murders: Daniel Wozniak was deeply in debt and sought to steal money from Herr to finance his upcoming wedding and honeymoon.
• Buffett's Charge: Two counts of Accessory After the Fact.
• Conviction Date: September 2018 (by an Orange County jury).
• Sentence: 32 months (2 years and 8 months) in jail.
• Release Status: Reportedly released from prison in 2019.

The Role of Deception: How Buffett Became an Accessory

The central question in Rachel Mae Buffett's separate trial was not whether she committed the murders, but whether she intentionally helped Daniel Wozniak evade justice. The prosecution argued that Buffett's actions went far beyond simple ignorance, painting a picture of a calculated effort to protect her fiancé.

The murders, which took place in May 2010, were horrific. Wozniak shot Sam Herr to steal his savings, then used Herr’s phone to lure Julie Kibuishi to Herr’s apartment, where he shot and killed her to frame Herr for Kibuishi’s murder. Wozniak then dismembered Herr’s body.

When questioned by the Costa Mesa Police Department, Buffett provided false information on multiple occasions. She claimed Wozniak had been with her when he was, in fact, committing the crimes. She also helped him dispose of key evidence, including a backpack containing the murder weapon and other items. Her defense maintained that she was simply a naive, manipulated fiancée who believed her partner's lies.

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However, the jury ultimately sided with the prosecution. In September 2018, Buffett was convicted of two counts of accessory after the fact. The Orange County District Attorney's Office emphasized that her lies significantly delayed the investigation, allowing Wozniak more time to cover his tracks and causing immense emotional distress to the victims' families, including Sam Herr’s father, Steve Herr.

The Sentence and Current Status: Where Is Rachel Mae Buffett Now?

In November 2018, Judge Hanson sentenced Rachel Mae Buffett to 32 months in jail. The judge noted that while Buffett had no prior criminal record, her role was significant, stating clearly that she "lied" and "acted on her own." The sentence included credit for time already served and a period of supervised release following her incarceration.

Due to California’s sentencing guidelines and credits for good behavior, Buffett served a fraction of her full sentence. She was reportedly released from a California jail in 2019. This means that as of the current date in 2025, she has been out of custody for several years, having completed her time for the accessory conviction.

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Uncertain Whereabouts and New Identity

Following her release, Rachel Mae Buffett’s current whereabouts and professional activities are unknown to the public. This is a common outcome for individuals released from high-profile cases, as many choose to pursue a life of strict privacy and anonymity to avoid media scrutiny and public condemnation.

It is highly probable that she has changed her name and moved away from the Costa Mesa and Orange County area to start a new, private life. The transition from a public-facing actress and Disney performer to a person seeking complete anonymity marks the final, dramatic chapter of her involvement in the Daniel Wozniak case. Her former fiancé, Daniel Wozniak, remains on death row in San Quentin State Prison, having been sentenced to death in 2016 for the capital murders.

The Legacy of the Case and Topical Entities

The Daniel Wozniak and Rachel Mae Buffett case remains a highly discussed topic in true crime circles, often featured on major network shows like Dateline and 48 Hours. The investigation uncovered numerous entities and details that contributed to its notoriety, establishing a wide topical authority around the events:

• Victims: Sam Herr and Julie Kibuishi.
• The Killer: Daniel Wozniak (convicted and on death row).
• The Crime Scene: Herr’s apartment in Costa Mesa.
• Legal Terminology: Accessory After the Fact, Capital Murder, Death Penalty.
• The Motive: Financial Debt, Wedding Money, Honeymoon.
• Key Evidence: The murder weapon, Herr's dismembered body, the staged crime scene.
• Court System: Orange County Superior Court.
• Law Enforcement: Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD).
• Victim Advocates: Steve Herr (Sam Herr’s father).
• Buffett's Defense: Claim of being manipulated and unaware of the full scope of the murders.

The story of Rachel Mae Buffett is a cautionary tale of how proximity to a killer, coupled with a series of poor choices, can lead to a felony conviction and the complete collapse of a promising career, leaving behind a legacy forever shadowed by the actions of her ex-fiancé.