Gordon Abas Goodarzi, the estranged husband of Newport Beach socialite Aryan Papoli, has been arrested in connection with her death after her body was found at the bottom of a 75-foot embankment in the San Bernardino Mountains. The 66-year-old was taken into custody at his Rolling Hills residence on Friday following what authorities describe as an extensive investigation.
Discovery and Investigation
Papoli, 58, was discovered deceased near Crestline on November 18, 2025, approximately 100 miles from her Rolling Hills estate. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest on Saturday, confirming that an autopsy had ruled her death a homicide with injuries consistent with a fall. Goodarzi is currently being held without bail at the Central Detention Center.
Background of the Victim
Aryan Papoli grew up in Iran before relocating to the United States with her family at the age of 18. She met Goodarzi nearly three decades ago in California, and the couple co-founded U.S. Hybrid, a clean energy company. They shared two sons, Navid and Milad, and purchased a five-bedroom home in Rolling Hills in 2017, which remained in their possession at the time of her death.
Six months prior to her passing, Papoli moved to Newport Beach to embrace a peaceful retirement focused on creativity. She volunteered with the South Coast Botanical Garden and UCLA's Fowler Museum while actively pursuing ceramics, photography, and dance. Before dedicating herself to the arts, she enjoyed a successful corporate career, holding a degree in Business and Coaching and serving as CFO and VP of Operations.
Family Reactions and Tributes
Navid, one of Papoli's sons, shared heartfelt memories with the Los Angeles Times in December, stating, "Growing up with them, I saw before my eyes that nothing is impossible." He declined to comment on the specifics of his mother's disappearance or death, citing the ongoing investigation at the time.
Navid revealed to ABC7 that he had not spoken to his mother for weeks due to demanding coursework for his master's degree at Harvard. Papoli was reported missing on November 22, 2025—four days after law enforcement discovered a body in Crestline. The sheriff's department confirmed to Navid two days before Thanksgiving that the body was his mother's.
Reflecting on the emotional turmoil, Navid said, "When she was missing, we were sort of going from this frantic pass, all engines flaring, like how can we find her? When we got the news, it sort of feels like the wind gets knocked out of you. The first day it's a lot of shock."
He plans to continue updating a tribute website in her honour, aiming to celebrate her vibrant life. "She was so full of inspiration and optimism at this moment of her life. Building a website to showcase her is something I wish I could have done when she was alive," he told the LA Times.
