SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA — As a 66-year-old Rolling Hills tech pioneer prepared to make his initial court appearance Tuesday in San Bernardino to answer a charge of murder, a question is front and center: Why would he kill his longtime wife, whom he was estranged from?
Gordon Abas Goodarzi was charged with one count of murder with aggravating circumstances for the death of Aryan Papoli, 58, of Newport Beach. He is being held in a San Bernardino County jail without bail following his Jan. 23 afternoon arrest in Rolling Hills by sheriff’s deputies.
He was due to make his initial court appearance at the San Bernardino Justice Center.
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What is known about the case is that the couple was estranged at the time of Papoli’s death, which was announced as Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, after her body was found that day along Highway 138 and Crestline Road in Crestline, approximately 75 feet down a steep embankment.
Papoli was reported missing a few days earlier. But it took approximately two weeks before the “Jane Doe” found in Crestline was identified as Papoli. Prior to that, authorities released to the public an artist’s sketch of the deceased’s face in an effort to identify her.
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She was described as between 48 and 60 years old, 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 115 pounds, with bleached blonde hair, brown eyes, no tattoos, and wearing a blue sweatshirt, blue pants, and white and black New Balance shoes.
During the investigation, the Newport Beach Police Department confirmed a missing person’s report was filed for Papoli. On Dec. 1, the San Bernardino County coroner determined the Crestline body was Papoli.
It took more than a month, however, before Goodarzi was publicly named as a suspect and subsequently charged in San Bernardino County.
Authorities have not confirmed how Papoli died, only saying it was a homicide. Where she was killed was not disclosed either.
Goodarzi and Papoli appeared to be living comfortably, despite apparent estrangement. Rolling Hills is an affluent gated community on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Private roads dotted with large haciendas spread across expansive acreage push the cost of living in Rolling Hills to extremes. Plush living in Newport Beach, Orange County, is comparable.
It’s not clear why the couple lived separately. Goodarzi is described as a tech executive with ties to BattleBots and president and CEO of Magmotor, according to reporting from SFGate. Goodarzi’s LinkedIn states he previously worked as a research affiliate at UCLA’s B. John Garrick Institute for the Risk Sciences since 2023.
Papoli described herself as a corporate executive who worked as a chief financial officer and vice president of operations before stepping back to pursue her creative interests, according to her online posts.
Goodarzi and Papoli immigrated from Iran. In a December interview with The Los Angeles Times, Papoli’s son Navid Goodarzi, 25, said his mother came to the U.S. from Tehran as a young woman.
“My mom was a ray of light, sunshine manifested,” Goodarzi told the news outlet. “She always gave 150% to herself and to everyone.”
He did not comment on his parents’ relationship, but said they had worked together for years.
Papoli moved to Newport Beach about six months ago, according to her son.
In an article by Papoli, which appears to have been written while she lived in Rolling Hills with her family, she stated that she and her husband had two sons, Navid and Milad.
” … we have been proud to call Rolling Hills home since 2017. Originally from Iran, Abas and I met and married in the South Bay 28 years ago, and while the boys were both born here, our Persian heritage remains a vibrant part of our lives. We chose to settle in Rolling Hills because of its tranquility and natural beauty. There’s something magical about the winding roads lined with towering trees, creating a peaceful oasis, a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. What makes this community even more special is the warmth and kindness of our neighbors. It truly feels like an extended family where lifelong friendships are easily made.”
Papoli gushed lovingly about her sons and revealed details about her relationship with her husband.
“Abas and I have each built careers that are deeply fulfilling, and we’ve always tried to follow our passions, whether in our work or personal lives,” she wrote.
“Abas, a pioneer in renewable energy and electric vehicles, has dedicated over 40 years advocating sustainable technology. He’s a registered professional engineer with a PhD and has been a key player in the electric vehicle industry for decades,” she continued.
“Abas has always been passionate about sustainability, and it’s been inspiring to see how far he’s come in contributing to the transition toward cleaner energy, creative solutions for sustainability and mobility,” she shared.
A tribute to Papoli was posted online, featuring images of the woman and her artwork. According to the site, “Aryan Papoli spread light, love and joy wherever she went. A sister, mother, friend, wife, artist, business woman, philanthropist, environmentalist, and inspiration, Aryan’s passion for creative expression was only matched by her care for those she loved.”
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