After weeks of investigation, authorities have arrested the estranged husband of a Newport Beach woman whose body was found down a steep embankment in a San Bernardino County mountain town in California.
Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, of Rolling Hills Estates, was arrested Friday on suspicion of murder in the death of his longtime wife and business partner, Aryan Papoli, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Papoli, 58, was found dead Nov. 18 about 75 feet below Highway 138 near Crestline Road in the mountain community of Crestline. While early findings noted injuries consistent with a fall, the San Bernardino County Coroner later ruled her death a homicide.
Sheriff’s officials have not disclosed how detectives linked Goodarzi to Papoli’s death or whether a motive has been identified, saying only that an "extensive and persistent investigation into the circumstances" led them to identify him as a suspect. Goodarzi is being held without bail at the Central Detention Center.
Court records show Papoli filed for divorce just five months before her death, citing "irreconcilable differences," according to documents 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 Dec. 1.
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