Investigators say the 58-year-old Newport Beach woman was identified two weeks after her body was recovered near Highway 138.
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — A Southern California tech executive has been charged with murder in the death of his estranged wife, whose body was recovered Nov. 18, 2025, about 75 feet down a steep mountainside off Highway 138 near Crestline, authorities said.
Prosecutors filed a single count of murder against Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, on Jan. 23, following a weeks-long investigation led by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office. The victim, 58-year-old Aryan Papoli of Newport Beach, had been reported missing days before deputies responding to a call found her down an embankment. She was not identified until Dec. 1. Goodarzi, arrested at his Rolling Hills Estates home, is being held without bail as the case moves into early court hearings.
According to officials, deputies from the Twin Peaks Station were called to the area of Highway 138 and Crestline Road on Nov. 18 for a report of a body. Fire crews helped recover the woman from the mountainside, and the coroner took custody. Investigators later identified the victim as Papoli, a businesswoman and artist who had lived in Orange County. Detectives worked through December and January, reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses. The District Attorney’s Office said its Homicide Unit filed a murder charge and alleged aggravating circumstances. “From the initial response on a steep mountain embankment to the extensive investigation that followed, this case reflects the joint efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said.
Authorities said Papoli was reported missing from Newport Beach on Nov. 22, four days after the body was found but before it was publicly identified. After identification, detectives released a forensic sketch for help with the case and continued gathering records related to the couple’s movements. Goodarzi, listed in public records as a longtime executive in robotics and electric-motor technology, was arrested Jan. 23 at his home in Rolling Hills Estates. He was booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino and is being held without bail. Court records show an arraignment scheduled for Jan. 27 at the San Bernardino Justice Center. Prosecutors have not publicly detailed what they believe happened on the mountain road, and investigators have not announced the discovery of a weapon.
Papoli and Goodarzi built careers in technology and clean energy ventures before living in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Public profiles show Goodarzi leading a motor and robotics company with ties to competitive robotics; Papoli previously held finance and operations roles and later worked with nonprofits while pursuing art. The location where Papoli’s body was found — a turnout near Highway 138 above the San Bernardino Mountains — is a winding corridor linking the Mojave Desert and mountain communities. Weather and traffic can make the road treacherous, though officials have not announced any crash evidence tied to this case. The Sheriff’s Department initially treated the death as a suspicious fall before the coroner and detectives determined it was a homicide.
Prosecutors filed the case under California Penal Code 187(a), alleging murder with aggravating circumstances under Penal Code 1170(b)(2). Goodarzi remained in custody over the past week and is expected to enter a plea at arraignment. If he seeks bail in a future hearing, a judge will consider factors including danger to the community and flight risk. The District Attorney’s Office said it coordinated with Newport Beach police and prosecutors in Orange County during the investigation. Additional filings, including potential special circumstance allegations or enhancements, could be considered after further review of the evidence. The court docket lists a post-arraignment status date pending assignment.
Friends and relatives described Papoli as energetic and generous, with a life story that stretched from Iran to Southern California. Her adult son said she “brought light and laughter to every room,” and family members have shared photos and stories honoring her love of painting and mentoring young people. Neighbors in Newport Beach said they were surprised when detectives canvassed the area in late fall, asking about the couple’s vehicles and any home-security footage. In Crestline, residents said traffic slowed on the day fire crews worked ropes down the slope to recover the body, and one shop owner recalled seeing sheriff’s vehicles lining the turnout in the late afternoon.
As of this week, investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive, detailed timeline, or additional suspects. The Sheriff’s Department and District Attorney’s Office said updates will be released through the court calendar. Goodarzi is due for arraignment on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the San Bernardino Justice Center. Further hearings are expected to be scheduled afterward as discovery begins.
Author note: Last updated 2026-02-03.