Actress Turned Detective: Justice for Survivors

Actress and animal rescuer Shira Scott Astrof shares her harrowing experience of being assaulted in March 2015 by Matthew Werner, who she states posed as a Swedish soccer player. Astrof recounts the attack in her Los Angeles apartment, detailing how Werner choked her and assaulted her before leaving.

For more than a decade, Astrof actively pursued Werner, providing evidence to law enforcement and advocating for other victims. Werner, suspected of multiple rapes under various aliases, was initially arrested in 2023. However, Astrof was the only victim willing to testify.

Werner pleaded no contest to assault and sexual battery in October 2023, receiving a suspended sentence and registering as a sex offender. Astrof, incensed by the plea deal, continued to monitor Werner's probation violations, reporting his return to online platforms under a false name.

Earlier this year, Werner was sentenced to four years in state prison following repeated probation violations. Astrof hopes her public stance will empower other survivors to come forward and share their experiences. Detective Brent Hopkins of the LAPD praised Astrof's strength and determination, stating her advocacy was pivotal.

In 2015, Astrof, then 35, met Werner through a dating app. He brought her soup when she felt unwell, but his demeanor quickly shifted to paranoia, and he consumed cocaine before attacking her. Police identified Werner immediately, noting he was a known psychopath and her third victim that week.

Astrof prepared to testify multiple times over the years, but other victims withdrew their support. In July 2023, she testified at a preliminary hearing, feeling a sense of catharsis despite Werner's eventual plea deal. She delivered a powerful victim impact statement at his sentencing hearing.

Her efforts led to Werner's imprisonment earlier this year for probation violations, a moment Astrof described as a "cathartic victory" with her "sobbing happy tears." Astrof now dedicates her time to animal rescue and advocacy, believing her work with survivors is far from over, aiming to save others from similar predators.