Tech Millionaire Faces Murder Charge After Estranged Wife Found Dead at Mountain Cliff
A prominent technology millionaire has been formally charged with first-degree murder, several months after his estranged wife was discovered deceased at the base of a steep 75-foot embankment within California's San Bernardino mountain range. The case has unfolded through what authorities describe as an extensive and persistent criminal investigation.
Discovery and Investigation Timeline
On November 18th, emergency responders from the Twin Peaks Station answered reports concerning a deceased individual located at the bottom of a rugged embankment along Highway 138 and Crestline Road. The San Bernardino County Fire Department recovered a fully clothed body from the mountainside, prompting the involvement of the Specialized Investigations Division.
The victim remained unidentified initially, described only as a white adult female approximately 25-35 years old, wearing blue pants, a blue sweatshirt, and white tennis shoes. In an effort to establish her identity, authorities released a composite facial sketch to the public.
Two days after the discovery, on November 22nd, a missing-person report was filed for 58-year-old Aryan Papoli of Newport Beach. Her body was not formally identified by the coroner's office until December 1st. The initial autopsy findings suggested injuries consistent with a fall, but a subsequent complete review ultimately determined the manner of death to be homicide.
Arrest and Allegations
Following what police termed a continued and diligent investigation, 68-year-old Gordon Abas Goodarzi was contacted at his residence and subsequently arrested. He was charged with first-degree murder on Saturday and is currently being held without bail at the San Bernardino Central Detention Center.
Charging documents, obtained by media outlets, present serious allegations against Goodarzi. They state that Papoli was particularly vulnerable and that her husband executed the killing with planning, sophistication and professionalism. The filings further allege the crime was financially motivated, involving an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary value.
Victim's Background and Family Tributes
Aryan Papoli was a socialite and philanthropist who had recently embarked on a creative retirement. According to her son, Navid Goodarzi, she spent her early years in Tehran, Iran, emigrating to the United States with her family at age 18 following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. She settled in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Approximately thirty years ago, she met Gordon Goodarzi. Together, they founded US Hybrid, a clean energy company specializing in zero-emission powertrain components for commercial and military vehicles. The couple sold this business in a $50 million deal in 2021.
Papoli and Goodarzi shared two sons, Navid and his older brother Milad. In 2017, they purchased a 2.2-acre, $3.5 million estate in Rolling Hills, drawn to the area's tranquility and natural beauty. However, property records and family statements indicate Papoli had moved to Newport Beach about six months prior to her death, seeking a serene environment to nurture her artistic pursuits in sculpture, painting, dance, and photography.
She was actively involved in cultural institutions, serving on the executive boards of the South Coast Botanic Garden and Palos Verdes Art Center, and as a Director's Council member at UCLA's Fowler Museum.
My mom was a ray of light, sunshine manifested, 25-year-old Navid Goodarzi told the Los Angeles Times in December. She always gave 150 percent to herself and to everyone. He described the moment of identification as having the wind gets knocked out of you, calling it a nightmare scenario.
In her memory, Navid has launched a tribute website, encouraging those who knew her to share remembrances so that together, we can conjure a spark of her brilliance.
Case Status and Location Details
The location where Papoli's remains were found is nearly 100 miles from the Rolling Hills estate she once shared with her husband. It remains unclear whether she was living at the estate at the time of her death.
Gordon Abas Goodarzi is scheduled for arraignment on the murder charges. The case continues to develop as legal proceedings commence.
