Los Angeles — In a turn of events that reads more like a thriller novel, authorities announced the arrest of a suspect in the murder of renowned hairstylist Fabio Sementilli, who was brutally killed at his Woodland Hills home seven years ago. Christopher Austin, implicated alongside Monica Sementilli, the victim’s wife, and her paramour, Robert Louis Baker, was recently extradited from Washington state facing multiple serious charges including murder and conspiracy.
Prosecutors allege that Austin was part of a sinister plot conceived by Monica and Baker in January 2017. Their motive was purportedly to claim Sementilli’s substantial $1.6 million life insurance by orchestrating his murder. Until his recent apprehension, Austin’s identity and whereabouts had remained a mystery, even as his alleged accomplices were incarcerated over the past five years.
Sementilli, a father of three and an influential executive at Wella, a major hair-care company, was found deceased on the back patio of his lavish residence, initially leading investigators to believe that a robbery had tragically escalated. However, as details emerged, the scenario shifted dramatically. Baker, 62, later confessed to attacking Sementilli, leaving him in a pool of blood in what he described was a planned assault, rather than a burglary gone awry. He is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
The relationship between Monica Sementilli and Baker began approximately a year and a half before the crime, with the two meeting at a LA Fitness center where Baker was a racquetball instructor. Baker, a registered sex offender due to prior convictions, subsequently played a central role in both the murder and subsequent investigations.
Following Baker’s confession, which implicated himself but absolved Monica Sementilli of direct involvement in the murder, the focus of the investigation shifted slightly. Despite his claims, evidence compiled by prosecutors and Los Angeles police suggested Monica was more involved than initially thought.
Her trial has faced delays and is pending further developments, intensified by Austin’s arrest, which might add new layers to the court’s understanding of the case. Authorities and legal representatives have curiously eyed Austin’s capture, speculating it could significantly affect the dynamics of the ongoing legal proceedings.
According to the charges, both Baker and Austin ambushed Sementilli, with the latter accused of delivering a fatal stab to the neck. It is alleged Baker had convinced Austin that the murder would financially benefit all involved through the life insurance payout. Post-murder, Baker reportedly facilitated Austin’s escape, providing funds for travel and additional compensation in the form of gold coins.
Found in Washington state, Austin faces over $2 million bail while awaiting further court procedures scheduled for early December. Initially, detectives considered famous knock-knock burglars as potential suspects, particularly as the crime scene had classic signs of a break-in. However, Sementilli’s expensive watch remained on his wrist, an anomaly that hinted at a different narrative.
Further investigation revealed that prior to the murder, the house’s surveillance system, which covered multiple angles of the property, was tampered with, believed to be by the assailants to eliminate any video evidence. This crucial system was later found to be a focal point in the alleged conspiracy, with Monica purportedly instructing Baker on how to disable it, allowing him access to execute the crime.
As the trials unravel, the complexities of this case continue to showcase the darker side of human motivations, tangled in greed, betrayal, and deceit. This case not only devastated a family but also sent ripples through the hairstyling community, where Fabio Sementilli had been a beloved figure and an icon of creative excellence.