Investigators in Los Angeles continue to try to unravel the pasts of two senior citizens who are suspected in the deaths of a pair of homeless men who were killed in hit-and-run accidents.

Olga Rutterschmidt, 73, and Helen Golay, 75, have pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud and aiding and abetting a crime in connection with life insurance statements.

Helen Golay, top, and Olga Rutterschmidt are being investigated in connection with the deaths of homeless men.
(LAPD/AP)

They were the beneficiaries on numerous policies each for the men, who were killed several years apart. Each man died at least two years after the policies were taken out, at which point under California law claims become harder to contest.

The women, who have been since dubbed "The Ghastly Grannies," netted more than $2 million US from the claims.

"The fact that these women would be able to befriend total strangers among the most down and out in society, turn around and use that, like planting them in the ground to harvest them later...it's chilling," said Lieut. Paul Vernon.

Kenneth McDavid, top, and Paul Vados, were homeless men killed in hit-run accidents.
(LAPD/AP)

Rutterschmidt and Golay allegedly befriended the men at shelters, provided them shelter and ultimately persuaded them to make them beneficiaries.

Rubber stamp

Police said after obtaining the signatures, they would go to a stationery store to get a rubber stamp made in order to fill out multiple policies.

"Because of the vulnerability of the homeless population, they're often taken advantage of," said Orlando Ward, director of the city's Midnight Mission. " But I've never heard of something so sinister."

Paul Vados, 73, was found dead in a Hollywood alley in late 1999.

Though the coroner's office had ruled the death accidental, the insurance company refused the claim due to a police detective's refusal to clear the two women as suspects.
 
However, the company was eventually forced to pay more than $150,000 US after a Superior Court judge awarded them part of a settlement.

More than five years after the death of Vados, Kenneth McDavid, 50, was fatally struck by a car.

Detectives said a chance conversation led to the discovery of the similarity of the cases.

"It is total serendipity," Vernon said. "As much as you'd like to say 'Oh wow, what great police work,' you know what? I'd rather be lucky than smart any day."

Police  search for vehicle

Police then found details about a 1999 Mercury Sable station wagon that neither woman owned in Golay's day planner. Prosecutors say she called an auto club to have the vehicle towed the night of McDavid's death.

Photos of the vehicle were released last week to the public.

Since the arrests, the pair's litigious past has been revealed: both have launched several lawsuits over the past two decades against supermarkets, health clubs, retail businesses and tenants over monies allegedly owed them.

Golay even sued her own daughter, accusing her of assault and trespassing.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Kecia Golay accused her mother in court papers of exhibiting "30 years of psychopathic behaviour."

While the exact nature and origin of the relationship between the two women has not been fully revealed, it is believed they met more than 20 years ago.

Police are trying to determine whether there are more victims.

The women are being detained in separate facilities.