Estranged Husband Arrested, Charged in Death of Artist Aryan Papoli

San Bernardino County investigators arrested 66-year-old Gordon Abas Goodarzi and charged him with murder in the death of 58-year-old artist Aryan Papoli, authorities said after an extensive probe. Goodarzi was taken into custody at his Rolling Hills residence and is being held without bail.

Papoli’s body was discovered on November 18, 2025 at the bottom of a steep embankment off Highway 138 near Crestline, California. Initial efforts to identify the woman stalled, prompting investigators to release a forensic sketch to the public. The San Bernardino County coroner later ruled the death a homicide, and investigators continued an active inquiry that culminated in the January 25, 2026 arrest.

Investigators described the arrest as the result of an extensive investigation involving interviews, evidence development and analysis, though authorities have not released detailed information about what specific evidence led to the charge. Goodarzi now faces a murder charge in connection with Papoli’s death and will appear in court; court schedules list his first appearance on January 26, 2026.

Aryan Papoli was an immigrant and an active artist with family ties who is survived by at least one son. In the weeks after her body was found, Papoli’s son created a memorial website to honor her life and work and to keep the community informed as the case developed. The memorial has become a focal point for those who knew Papoli’s art and for community members tracking the case.

For the local true crime community and neighbors in Crestline and surrounding areas, this arrest closes an early phase of a case that began with an unidentified body and a public appeal for help. The transition from a forensic-sketch investigation to a murder charge underscores how tips, public awareness and investigative persistence can move a case forward. Follow-up will center on court proceedings and any formal charging documents that prosecutors file, which will reveal the alleged timeline, motive and evidence prosecutors intend to use.

Verify court calendars for updates on hearings and filings, and monitor statements from San Bernardino County investigators for official details. As the case moves into the judicial phase, expect more clarity about the circumstances of Papoli’s death, the evidence supporting the charge against Goodarzi, and whether additional arrests or charges will follow. For now, the community has a name attached to a case that began with an anonymous victim, and the next step is the court record.