In a significant breakthrough, investigators have apprehended the estranged husband of a Newport Beach woman whose body was discovered at the base of a steep embankment in a mountain town of San Bernardino County, California.
Authorities have charged 66-year-old Gordon Abas Goodarzi, a resident of Rolling Hills Estates, with the murder of his long-term spouse and business associate, Aryan Papoli, according to information from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
The body of 58-year-old Papoli was located on November 18, roughly 75 feet beneath Highway 138 near Crestline Road in the mountainous area of Crestline. Initial reports suggested her injuries were consistent with a fall, but the San Bernardino County Coroner later classified her death as a homicide.
Officials have not revealed the specifics of how they connected Goodarzi to Papoli’s murder or if a motive has been determined. They only mentioned that a “thorough and relentless investigation” led to his identification as a suspect. Goodarzi is currently detained without bail at the Central Detention Center.
Her husband, Aryan Papoli, has been arrested on murder charges concerning her death. (Aryan Papoli)
Legal documents indicate that Papoli initiated divorce proceedings just five months before her death, citing “irreconcilable differences,” as reported by The California Post. The filing, dated June 12, 2025, requested spousal support and the division of their substantial joint assets.
More than $4.5 million in property was at stake, the outlet reported, including the Rolling Hills Estates home where Goodarzi was arrested, a residence in Chino Hills, industrial property in Massachusetts, vacant land in Southern California, and another property in Crestline — the same town where Papoli’s body was later found.
Papoli and Goodarzi had been married for 28 years. Goodarzi, an engineer and tech executive, sold his clean-energy company, US Hybrid, for $50 million in 2021, according to The California Post. Papoli’s divorce filing requested that Goodarzi pay her legal fees, while his response asked the court to have each party cover their own costs.
Aryan Papoli is shown in an undated photo. Her estranged husband has been charged with murder after Papoli’s body was found at the bottom of a cliff, authorities said. (Aryan Papoli)
The divorce proceedings were terminated Dec. 23 due to Papoli’s death, according to her attorney.
Charging documents filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office allege Papoli was “particularly vulnerable” and that the killing involved “planning, sophistication, and professionalism,” according to the filing.
Goodarzi’s arraignment, which was scheduled for Tuesday morning, was continued to Thursday, the DA’s office confirmed.
Papoli was not immediately identified when her body was discovered. Days later, Newport Beach police confirmed a missing person report had been filed for her, and authorities formally identified her remains on Dec. 1.
Aryan Papoli is shown in an undated photo. Authorities said her body was found at the bottom of a cliff, and her estranged husband has been charged in connection with her death. (Aryan Papoli)
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times last month, Papoli’s son, Navid Goodarzi, said his mother immigrated to the United States from Iran as a young woman and worked to build a life centered on creativity, service and entrepreneurship.
“My mom was a ray of light, sunshine manifested,” he said. “She always gave 150% to herself and to everyone.”
He declined to comment on his parents’ relationship but said they worked together for years and founded a clean energy company.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
