A tech CEO has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder with aggravating circumstances in connection with the death of his estranged wife.
Gordon Abas Goodarzi, president of Magmotor Technologies, was arrested on Friday, January 23, at his Rolling Hills Estates home in Los Angeles County after a coroner determined that his wife, Aryan Papoli, had been murdered. Her body was found at the bottom of a 75-foot embankment in Crestline, California, on November 18, 2025, but she was not identified for roughly two weeks.
Following an “extensive and persistent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death,” Goodarzi, 66, was named as a suspect.
Goodarzi stands accused of plotting his wife’s murder with “planning, sophistication, or professionalism” in a crime that was “an attempted or actual taking or damage of great monetary value,” according to charging documents obtained by the New York Post.
“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 in a statement. “We are grateful for their coordination throughout the investigation and extend our sincere appreciation to the Newport Beach Police Department and Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer for their assistance and collaboration.”
Goodarzi is currently being held at the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center, according to police records. He is ineligible for bail. (Individuals are often ineligible for bail if they are deemed a flight risk, a danger to their community or are highly likely to re-offend, according to Eisner Gorin LLP. Other circumstances, like failure to appear in court, a lengthy criminal record and more can also determine a person ineligible for bail.)
He is scheduled to appear in court at the San Bernardino Justice Center for his arraignment on Tuesday, January 27.
Papoli was born in Iran and moved to San Francisco, California, when she was 18 years old. She met Goodarzi roughly 10 years later and they welcomed two children, Navid and Milad Goodarzi, during their marriage.
Goodarzi and Papoli were not only romantic partners, they were also in business together. They founded a clean energy company, US Hybrid, in the late ‘90s. The company was later bought by Ideanomics for $50 million in a cash-and-stock deal in 2021.
In 2008, Goodarzi became the CEO of Magmotor Technologies Inc., according to his LinkedIn account.
The pair was reportedly separated at the time of Papoli’s death.
Reflecting on her life, Navid described his mother as a “supermom” and a “ray of light” who “always gave 150% to herself and to everyone,” in a recent interview with The Los Angeles Times.
“It’s hard when I see my mom’s name and it’s just a sketch of this person who’s not her,” he told the outlet. “She was so full of inspiration and optimism at this moment of her life. Building a website to showcase her is something I wish I could have done when she was alive.”
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
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