CRIME
Unraveling the Plot: The Shocking Murder of a Celebrity Hairstylist
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, USAThu Apr 17 2025
The shocking murder of a well-known hairstylist in Woodland Hills has finally reached a conclusion. Three individuals, including the victim's wife, have been found guilty of his murder. Fabio Sementilli was stabbed to death in his backyard in 2017. The case took a dramatic turn when investigators shifted their focus from a home invasion theory to the victim's wife, Monica, and her lover, Robert Baker.
The trial revealed a web of deceit and betrayal. Monica Sementilli, aged 53, was convicted of murder and conspiracy. The jury also agreed with the prosecutors that the murder was planned for financial gain and that Fabio was killed while he was unaware. The jury's decision came after about eight hours of deliberation over three days. This verdict means that Monica Sementilli will likely spend the rest of her life in prison, just like her lover, Robert Baker.
The initial investigation suggested a home invasion, but clues quickly pointed towards Monica and Baker. Baker, a convicted sex offender and former porn star, pleaded no contest and was already sentenced to life without parole. The sentencing for Monica is set for June 23. A third man, Chris Austin, who assisted in the murder, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and is serving a 16-year sentence.
The prosecution argued that Monica was the mastermind behind the plot. They claimed she wanted her husband dead to inherit his estate and be with Baker. Prosecutors presented evidence showing that Monica and Baker tried to cover their tracks by destroying and deleting evidence. They believed this would allow them to start a new life together. Baker and Austin testified during the trial, with Austin stating that Monica was involved in the plot. However, Baker claimed Monica had no knowledge of his plan to kill Fabio.
Monica's defense team maintains her innocence, arguing that she is only guilty of having an affair. They believe she used encrypted apps to hide her relationship with Baker, not to cover up a murder. Monica's attorney, Leonard Levine, plans to appeal the verdict, stating that Monica is a loving wife and mother who had no reason to want her husband dead. The defense team's argument is that Monica's actions were to protect her affair, not to plan a murder.
The victim's family expressed relief and joy at the verdict. Fabio's sister, Mirella, stated that justice has been served and that her brother can now rest in peace. Another sister, Lori Picillo, expressed happiness that Monica will spend the rest of her life in jail without parole. The family's hope is that this verdict brings some closure to their loss.
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questions
What specific actions did Monica Sementilli take that led investigators to suspect her involvement in the murder?
What if Fabio Sementilli's hairstyling skills were so bad that his wife decided to 'cut' him out of her life literally?
What evidence supports the claim that Monica Sementilli was the mastermind behind the plot to kill her husband?