The arrest of Gordon Abas Goodarzi, a 66-year-old clean energy executive, has brought renewed attention to the mysterious and tragic death of Aryan Papoli, a prominent Newport Beach socialite and business leader whose body was found at the bottom of a steep embankment in the San Bernardino Mountains in November 2025. After months of investigation, authorities announced that Goodarzi, Papoli’s estranged husband of nearly three decades, has been charged with murder in a case that has raised questions about domestic relationships, wealth, and the circumstances surrounding her final days.
Papoli, 58, was discovered dead near Crestline, nearly 100 miles from the Southern California estate she once shared with her husband, setting off a complex investigation that has now culminated in criminal charges. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Goodarzi was arrested at his Rolling Hills residence following what officials described as an “extensive and persistent investigation.”
He is currently being held at the Central Detention Center without bail. An autopsy previously ruled Papoli’s death a homicide, citing injuries consistent with a fall from a significant height. Investigators have not publicly detailed the evidence that led to Goodarzi’s arrest, but the development marks a major turning point in a case that had remained unresolved for months.
Papoli’s death shocked family, friends, and members of Southern California’s social and philanthropic circles. Known for her creative pursuits, volunteer work, and business acumen, she had recently embarked on what she described to friends as a peaceful and fulfilling new chapter of life. The contrast between that vision and the violent circumstances of her death has underscored the gravity of the allegations now facing her estranged husband.
The Discovery and Investigation into Aryan Papoli’s Death
Aryan Papoli was found dead shortly before noon on November 18, 2025, at the bottom of a 75-foot embankment near Crestline in the San Bernardino Mountains. The location, rugged and remote, immediately raised questions about how and why she came to be there. Law enforcement officials initially treated the incident with caution as they awaited autopsy results, which later determined that her death was a homicide rather than an accident.
Papoli had been reported missing several days after her body was discovered. On November 22, 2025, family members contacted authorities when they could not reach her. Two days before Thanksgiving, investigators confirmed to her son Navid that the body found near Crestline belonged to his mother. The timing added to the emotional toll on the family, as they were navigating both uncertainty and grief during what is traditionally a time of gathering and reflection.
Read : Indiana Judge Steven Meyer and Wife Kimberly Shot at Their Lafayette Home
The sheriff’s department has stated that the investigation involved months of evidence gathering, interviews, and forensic analysis. While details have been kept largely confidential, officials emphasized that the arrest of Goodarzi followed a sustained effort to reconstruct Papoli’s movements and interactions prior to her death. The distance between Crestline and Newport Beach, where Papoli had been living, further complicated the investigation and suggested that her death involved deliberate actions rather than a spontaneous or accidental event.
Read : Discover Europe’s Top Ten Most Beautiful Countries: A Visual Odyssey
Authorities have not publicly disclosed whether Papoli was alive when she went over the embankment or how she came to be in the mountainous area. What has been confirmed is that the injuries she sustained were consistent with a fall, and that the manner of death was ruled a homicide, indicating external involvement. The case remains under active investigation as prosecutors prepare for potential court proceedings.
Aryan Papoli’s Life, Career, and Final Chapter
Born in Iran, Aryan Papoli immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 18, beginning a life that would span corporate leadership, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and the arts. She met Gordon Abas Goodarzi nearly 30 years ago in California, and together they co-founded U.S. Hybrid, a clean energy company that became a notable player in its field. Their professional partnership mirrored their personal one for many years, and they went on to raise two sons, Navid and Milad.
Papoli built a successful corporate career, earning a degree in Business and Coaching and serving in senior executive roles, including Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations. Colleagues and acquaintances described her as disciplined, driven, and forward-thinking, qualities that helped her navigate both business and personal challenges. In 2017, she and Goodarzi purchased a five-bedroom home in Rolling Hills, which they still owned at the time of her death, though the couple had become estranged.
Six months before her death, Papoli relocated to Newport Beach, seeking what she described as a quieter, more creative retirement. She immersed herself in volunteer work with the South Coast Botanical Garden and UCLA’s Fowler Museum, and explored artistic pursuits such as ceramics, photography, and dance. Friends noted that she appeared optimistic and energized during this period, embracing opportunities for self-expression after decades in the corporate world.
Her son Navid has spoken publicly about his mother’s influence and spirit. In interviews with the Los Angeles Times and ABC7, he described her as a source of inspiration and resilience. He acknowledged that he had not spoken to her for weeks prior to her disappearance, citing the demands of his master’s program at Harvard. That gap in communication, he said, is something he continues to reflect on as he processes her loss.
Navid has chosen to honor his mother’s memory by maintaining a tribute website dedicated to celebrating her life and achievements. He has said that the project is meant to showcase her creativity, optimism, and the fullness of her experiences, offering a counterbalance to the circumstances of her death. His statements emphasize remembrance over speculation, even as the legal process unfolds.
The Arrest of Gordon Abas Goodarzi and the Path Ahead
The arrest of Gordon Abas Goodarzi on Friday marked the first time authorities publicly identified a suspect in Papoli’s death. Taken into custody at his Rolling Hills residence, Goodarzi now faces a murder charge tied to the November 2025 homicide. The sheriff’s department has not specified whether additional charges may be forthcoming or whether other individuals are under investigation.
Goodarzi and Papoli’s relationship history is likely to be a focal point as the case moves forward. As estranged spouses with shared business ventures, property, and family ties, their lives were deeply intertwined. Investigators are expected to examine financial records, communications, and travel histories to establish motive and opportunity. The fact that Papoli was found far from her Newport Beach home raises questions about how she traveled to Crestline and whether she did so voluntarily.
Legal experts note that cases involving alleged domestic homicide often hinge on circumstantial evidence, particularly when the crime scene does not directly identify a perpetrator. Prosecutors will need to demonstrate how Goodarzi is connected to the events leading to Papoli’s death, while defense attorneys are likely to challenge the interpretation of forensic findings and the conclusions drawn from them.
For Papoli’s family, the arrest represents both a step toward accountability and a continuation of a painful process. Navid has declined to comment extensively on the investigation, emphasizing respect for the legal process and his focus on honoring his mother’s life. His public remarks reflect the emotional complexity of seeking justice while grieving a profound personal loss.
As the case progresses through the judicial system, it is expected to draw significant public attention due to the prominence of those involved and the unresolved questions surrounding the crime. Court proceedings will likely provide additional insight into the months-long investigation and the evidence that led to Goodarzi’s arrest. For now, the charge underscores the seriousness with which authorities view the circumstances of Aryan Papoli’s death and signals that the search for answers has entered a new and consequential phase.