Newport Beach woman found dead at bottom of mountain embankment. Tech CEO husband accused of murder
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After weeks investigating the death of a Newport Beach woman whose body was found along a steep embankment in a San Bernardino County mountain town, officials have arrested her estranged husband.
Gordon Abas Goodarzi, 66, of Rolling Hills, 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.
The department did not share details of how Goodarzi was linked to Papoli’s death or a possible motive, but said Papoli’s autopsy ruled her death a homicide and an “extensive and persistent investigation into the circumstances” led detectives to Goodarzi as a suspect.
Goodarzi, whose LinkedIn profile lists him as the longtime chief executive of a technology company, is being held without bail.
A war is raging between the tenants and landlord of 1430 Wright St., with both sides trading wild allegations of violence and harassment.
Papoli, 58, of Newport Beach, was found dead Nov. 18 about 75 feet down a steep embankment near Highway 138 and Crestline Road, in the mountain town of Crestline, officials reported. Her body wasn’t immediately identified, but days after it was found, Newport Beach police confirmed a missing person’s report was filed for Papoli.
The body was confirmed to be Papoli on Dec. 1.
In an interview with The Times last month, Papoli’s son Navid Goodarzi said his mother came to the U.S. from Tehran as a young woman and worked hard to make a new life for herself and improve the lives of others.
“My mom was a ray of light, sunshine manifested,” said Goodarzi, 25. “She always gave 150% to herself and to everyone.”
At the time, he did not comment on his parents’ relationship, but said they had worked together for years and started a clean energy company. In a local magazine, Papoli described her husband as a “pioneer in renewable energy and electric vehicles.” She said she had a long career as a business executive in the corporate world but was also dedicated to the arts and supporting nonprofits.
She said their family had lived in Rolling Hills since 2017. Their son told The Times that Papoli moved to Newport Beach about six months ago, seeking a serene place to thrive creatively in her retirement.
Times staff writer Sara Cardine contributed to this report.
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