Gordon Abas Goodarzi, a 66-year-old from Rolling Hills, California, was arrested on January 23, 2026, and charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, 58-year-old Aryan Papoli. Papoli’s body was found at the bottom of a 75-foot embankment in Crestline on November 18, 2025, initially ruled an accidental fall from blunt force injuries.
Investigation Timeline
An autopsy initially aligned with a fall, but after nearly two weeks, Papoli was identified as a missing Newport Beach resident reported on November 22.[query] Extensive probing by San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies reclassified her death as homicide, pinpointing Goodarzi as the suspect without disclosing method or motive.
Arrest and Charges
Goodarzi, a tech CEO at Magmotor Technologies, was taken into custody at his home and held without bail at San Bernardino Central Detention Center. He faces murder charges with aggravating factors like planning and financial motives, per documents; his first court appearance was scheduled for January 26, 2026.
Victim Background
Papoli, who fled Iran during the 1979 Revolution, was described by son Navid as vibrant and inspirational. He noted her optimism and wished to honor her online, amid grief over the investigation.
