Monica Sementilli Sentenced: A Deadly Love Triangle Ends in Justice

Posted: May 2, 2025 | By US Prison Guide Team

Monica Sementilli’s name became synonymous with betrayal and murder after she orchestrated the 2017 killing of her husband, Fabio Sementilli, a renowned celebrity hairstylist, in their Woodland Hills home. After a gripping trial that exposed a torrid affair, financial motives, and a chilling conspiracy, Monica Sementilli was convicted of murder and conspiracy in April 2025. On June 23, 2025, Monica Sementilli was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a verdict that brought closure to a case that shocked Los Angeles. Let’s unravel the details of this high-profile crime, the trial that captivated true crime followers, and the aftermath of Sementilli’s sentencing.

The Murder of Fabio Sementilli: A Brutal Betrayal

Fabio Sementilli, a 49-year-old executive at Wella and a celebrated hairstylist known for working with Hollywood stars, was found dead on January 23, 2017, at his luxury home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. The scene was gruesome—Fabio had been stabbed multiple times in his face, jawline, neck, chest, and thigh, suffering over a dozen wounds. Initially, police suspected a home invasion gone wrong, as “knock-knock burglars” had been targeting expensive homes in the San Fernando Valley at the time. Curiously, an $8,000 Rolex was left on Fabio’s wrist, raising doubts about the robbery theory.

Monica Sementilli, Fabio’s 45-year-old wife, appeared devastated, publicly grieving at his funeral in Toronto and portraying herself as a heartbroken widow. The couple, who shared two daughters, had been married for over 20 years, and Fabio was a beloved figure in the beauty industry, known for his charisma and talent. But beneath the surface, Monica was hiding a dark secret—a year-long affair with Robert Baker, a 53-year-old former porn star and convicted sex offender who had been her racquetball coach at a West Hills fitness club. The investigation would soon reveal that Monica Sementilli was sentenced for masterminding Fabio’s murder, driven by love and a $1.6 million life insurance payout.

DNA evidence at the crime scene quickly pointed to Baker, whose blood was found near Fabio’s body. Detectives uncovered Monica’s affair with Baker, which included explicit messages exchanged during Fabio’s funeral, as reported by L.A. County Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman. Video evidence showed Monica watching a live feed of the area shortly before the attack, ensuring Baker had a clear path to her husband. On June 14, 2017, both Monica Sementilli and Robert Baker were arrested and indicted for murder and conspiracy to commit murder, setting the stage for a legal battle that would culminate in Monica Sementilli being sentenced.

The Investigation: A Love Affair Turned Deadly

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office conducted a meticulous investigation into Fabio Sementilli’s murder, uncovering a conspiracy fueled by infidelity and greed. Detectives initially explored the home invasion angle but shifted focus when Baker’s DNA linked him to the crime scene. Baker, a former adult film actor with a criminal history, had begun an affair with Monica in 2016, meeting her at a fitness club where he coached racquetball. Their relationship was intense—prosecutors later revealed that Monica sent nude photos to Baker during Fabio’s funeral, a callous act that underscored her lack of remorse.

A third conspirator, Christopher Austin, a 45-year-old former Oregon probation officer, emerged as a key figure in the plot. Austin, arrested in October 2024, admitted to assisting Baker in the murder, though he claimed he never spoke directly to Monica. During a Perkins operation—a sting where Austin spoke with an undercover operative—he revealed that Baker had told him Monica wanted Fabio “gone,” a statement that implicated her as the mastermind. Austin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and use of a knife in January 2025, accepting a sentence of 16 years to life, scheduled for May 2025, in exchange for his testimony against Monica.

Prosecutors built a case around Monica’s motive: a $1.6 million life insurance policy on Fabio’s life, which she stood to gain upon his death. They also presented evidence of her active role in the conspiracy—intercepted jail letters and recordings between Monica and Baker revealed a “secrecy pact,” where they promised not to testify against each other. In one letter, Monica wrote to Baker, “It kind of hurts to not be touched or loved by you,” while Baker was recorded saying, “I love you baby. I really do.” These communications, obtained during six recorded interactions at the Van Nuys and downtown L.A. courthouses, solidified the prosecution’s argument that Monica Sementilli was sentenced for a crime she orchestrated with Baker.

The Trial: A Battle of Narratives

Monica Sementilli’s trial began in January 2025, following years of legal delays exacerbated by Baker’s plea and Austin’s cooperation. She faced charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, with special circumstances of murder for financial gain and lying in wait, which carried a potential life sentence without parole. The 2½-month trial, held at the Los Angeles Superior Court, was a media spectacle, drawing true crime enthusiasts and local reporters eager to see if Monica Sementilli would be sentenced for her husband’s murder.

Prosecutor Beth Silverman painted Monica as the “mastermind” of the plot, arguing that she directed Baker to kill Fabio to continue their affair and cash in on the $1.6 million insurance policy. Silverman presented damning evidence, including the video feed Monica monitored, her sexts during the funeral, and Austin’s testimony that Baker acted on Monica’s orders. Baker, who had pleaded no contest to first-degree murder and conspiracy in July 2023, accepting life without parole, took the stand and offered a conflicting narrative. “I murdered him because I wanted her,” Baker testified in March 2025, insisting, “She had nothing to do with it.” However, his earlier statements to Austin contradicted this claim, and jurors found his testimony unconvincing.

Monica’s defense, led by attorney Leonard Levine, argued that her affair with Baker was “irrelevant” to the murder, emphasizing that there was no direct evidence linking her to the planning of the crime. Levine highlighted Baker’s criminal history and Austin’s plea deal, suggesting they were unreliable witnesses motivated to shift blame. The defense requested a mistrial over a jury question about Baker’s sentencing order, but Judge Larry Coen denied the motion. On April 11, 2025, after nearly four hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Monica Sementilli of murder and conspiracy, finding the special circumstances true. Monica Sementilli was sentenced to face the consequences of her actions, a verdict that marked a turning point in the case.

Sentencing Day: A Life Sentence for Monica Sementilli

On June 23, 2025, Monica Sementilli was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a penalty reflecting the premeditated nature of her crime and the special circumstances of financial gain and lying in wait. The sentencing hearing, held at the Los Angeles Superior Court, was an emotional affair—Monica, now 51, gasped and broke down in tears, clutching her hands over her mouth as the verdict was read. She offered no statement, but her defense team reiterated her claim of innocence, vowing to appeal the conviction.

Judge Coen, in delivering the sentence, described the murder as a “ruthless act” that shattered a family and a community, emphasizing Monica’s role as the orchestrator. “You betrayed your husband in the most heinous way,” he said, noting the impact on Fabio’s daughters, who lost both parents—one to murder, the other to prison. L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón issued a statement, saying, “Today’s verdict ensures that those responsible for this ruthless act will be held accountable. We extend our deepest sympathies to Fabio Sementilli’s loved ones.” Monica Sementilli was sentenced to spend the rest of her life behind bars, a fate sealed by her own actions.

Aftermath: A Family and Community Left to Heal

The sentencing of Monica Sementilli brought a measure of closure to Fabio’s family, but the pain of his loss endures. His daughters, aged 16 and 20 at the time of the murder, have largely stayed out of the public eye, grappling with the loss of their father and the betrayal of their mother. Fabio’s colleagues at Wella, where he was a vice president, held a memorial scholarship in his name, raising over $100,000 by 2025 to support aspiring hairstylists, a testament to his legacy in the beauty industry.

The case also reverberated through Woodland Hills, a tight-knit community where the Sementillis were well-known. Neighbors expressed shock at Monica’s conviction, with one telling a local reporter in 2025, “She seemed so normal, always smiling and waving. It’s hard to believe she could do this.” The incident highlighted the hidden tensions in seemingly perfect lives, a theme that resonated with true crime audiences who followed the trial through outlets like Court TV. Monica Sementilli was sentenced, but the emotional scars on her community linger.

In Redwood County, Minnesota, where true crime stories often captivate locals, the Sementilli case sparked discussions at community events. At a 2025 book club meeting in Redwood Falls, a member reflected, “It’s a reminder that you never really know what’s going on behind closed doors,” noting the case’s parallels to local domestic disputes. The story of Monica Sementilli being sentenced became a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and infidelity, resonating far beyond Los Angeles.

Where Are the Conspirators Now?

As of May 2, 2025, Monica Sementilli is serving her life sentence without parole at the California Institution for Women in Chino, a women’s prison known for housing high-profile inmates. Now 51, she has reportedly struggled to adapt to prison life, facing isolation due to the notoriety of her case, according to a 2025 prison report. Robert Baker, 61, is at California State Prison, Los Angeles County, serving his life sentence without parole, where he has kept a low profile, participating in minimal prison programs. Christopher Austin, 46, was sentenced on May 30, 2025, to 16 years to life, and is currently at Mule Creek State Prison, where he is eligible for parole in 2033.

Monica Sementilli was sentenced to a lifetime behind bars, a fate shared by Baker, while Austin’s plea deal offered a chance at eventual release. The trio’s actions tore apart a family and a community, leaving a legacy of grief and a stark reminder of the consequences of betrayal.

A Case That Echoes Beyond the Courtroom

The case of Monica Sementilli, sentenced to life without parole, is a chilling tale of a love triangle turned deadly, driven by greed and deception. It highlights the devastating impact of domestic betrayal, as well as the justice system’s ability to hold conspirators accountable, even years after the crime. From Woodland Hills to Redwood County, the story of Monica Sementilli being sentenced resonates as a warning about the destructive power of infidelity and financial motives. While Fabio Sementilli’s loved ones continue to mourn, the verdict ensures that Monica will pay for her actions for the rest of her life, a somber conclusion to a tragedy that captivated the nation.