High-Profile Californian Tech CEO Arrested for Alleged Murder of Estranged Wife

A prominent Southern California tech chief executive has been charged with murder in connection with the death of his estranged wife, whose body was discovered on a mountainside embankment last year. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office announced on 25 January 2026 that Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, is accused of killing 58‑year‑old Aryan Papoli of Newport Beach.

Goodarzi, who co‑founded and formerly led a clean energy technology firm, was arrested at his home in Rolling Hills Estates on 23 January 2026 and is being held without bail at the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino. He is scheduled to be arraigned at the San Bernardino Justice Center on 27 January.

Body Found Down Steep Embankment

Papoli's death dates back to 18 November 2025, when deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department responded to reports of a body near Highway 138 and Crestline Road, a mountainous area east of Los Angeles. The victim was located approximately 75 feet down a steep embankment off the road.

The specialised investigations division and San Bernardino County Fire Department recovered Papoli's remains from the mountainside before transporting them to the county coroner's office. She remained unidentified for roughly two weeks before being positively recognised on 1 December 2025.

An autopsy determined that her injuries were consistent with a fall, and the coroner ultimately ruled her death a homicide. Law enforcement officials did not disclose the specific cause in detail, but the ruling prompted a months‑long investigation that eventually led to Goodarzi being named a suspect.

Murder Charge Filed

On 23 January 2026, the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office filed a murder charge under Penal Code section 187(a) against Goodarzi. The filing also alleges aggravating circumstances under Penal Code section 1170(b)(2), although prosecutors have not publicly outlined the precise nature of those allegations.

District Attorney Jason Anderson stressed the coordinated effort that spanned multiple law enforcement agencies, including the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and the Newport Beach Police Department, in working the case from initial discovery of the body to the eventual charging decision.

Victim's Background

Papoli was reported missing from Newport Beach on 22 November 2025, shortly after her remains were found but before they were identified. Family members expressed shock and sorrow at the discovery, describing Papoli as a vibrant figure who had relocated to Newport Beach six months earlier to enjoy a peaceful retirement and focus on her creative pursuits.

She had built a successful career and later co‑founded a clean energy company with Goodarzi, with whom she shared a long history before they separated and filed for divorce in mid‑2025. The company they helped establish was later sold in a significant transaction, and Papoli had spent recent years cultivating her artistic interests and family life.

Next Steps in Legal Proceedings

Goodarzi's arraignment on 27 January will be his first appearance in court on the murder charge. If convicted, he could face decades in prison or even a life sentence, given the seriousness of the charge and the alleged aggravating circumstances cited by prosecutors.

The investigation remains active, and authorities have not publicly stated a possible motive. Law enforcement officials continue to appeal for any information related to Papoli's death as the case advances through the legal system.