Honestly, the Woodland Hills murder of Fabio Sementilli sounds like something ripped straight out of a low-budget noir script, but the reality was way darker. You’ve got a world-renowned hairstylist, a secret affair with a racquetball coach, and a cold-blooded ambush on a patio. For years, the names Robert Baker and Fabio Sementilli have been linked in a saga of betrayal that finally hit its legal endpoint in 2025.
It wasn't just a random act of violence. Not even close.
Fabio was a legend in the beauty industry, a VP for Wella who went by the nickname "Big Daddy." He was the guy everyone loved, the life of the party, and a devoted father. Then, on January 23, 2017, his daughter came home to find him slumped in his favorite chair on the back patio, stabbed seven times. No defensive wounds. No struggle. He never saw it coming.
Who is Robert Baker?
For a long time, Robert Baker was just the guy Monica Sementilli met at LA Fitness. He was a racquetball instructor and, as it turns out, a former pornographic actor with a criminal history. He and Monica started a "secret" affair about a year before the murder. But "secret" is a strong word when you’re connecting to your lover’s home Wi-Fi while his husband is still alive inside.
Prosecutors eventually laid out a timeline that showed Baker wasn't just a side piece; he was the muscle. He didn't work alone, either. He brought in an accomplice named Christopher Austin to act as a lookout. On the night of the killing, Baker sneaked onto the Sementilli property and used a knife he’d bought at Walmart to end Fabio’s life.
Why?
Baker eventually testified in 2025 that he did it because he "wanted her." He claimed he wanted easier access to Monica and more time with her. Prosecutors, however, saw a much more cynical motive: a $1.6 million life insurance policy and over $2 million in marital assets.
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The "Ride or Die" Pact
The evidence against Robert Baker was pretty much a slam dunk. He cut his finger during the struggle, leaving his DNA all over the crime scene. He eventually pleaded no contest in July 2023 and was sentenced to life without parole. But the real drama was his role in Monica Sementilli’s trial.
Even after they were both behind bars, the two were caught in a "secrecy pact." Police recorded them during sting operations in jail, where they engaged in "sex games" and used coded language like "LOML" (Love of My Life) and "R or D" (Ride or Die). They even referred to each other as "husband and wife" while the blood was barely dry on Fabio’s estate.
During the 2025 trial, Baker took the stand as a defense witness for Monica.
He tried to take the fall.
He told the jury that he planned the whole thing himself and that Monica had zero clue what he was up to. He even claimed he hid GPS trackers on Fabio’s Porsche without her knowing. It was a bold move, but the jury didn't buy it. The lead prosecutor, Beth Silverman, shredded the idea that a man Baker's age—who the judge later described as lacking the "intelligence to plan the slaughter"—could have masterminded such a complex conspiracy without the "architect" inside the house.
The Final Verdict for Robert Baker and Fabio Sementilli
In April 2025, the jury finally delivered their verdict for Monica. Guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy. On June 23, 2025, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, joining Baker in a permanent state of incarceration.
The judge, Ronald S. Coen, was pretty blunt during the sentencing. He called Monica the "mastermind" and noted that the crime was "cold and calculated." Fabio’s family didn't hold back either, calling Monica "demonic" and a "soul devoid of any humanity."
It’s a grim ending to a story that started with a man just trying to enjoy a cigar on his patio.
Key Facts You Should Know
- The Weapon: Baker used a knife purchased from Walmart; the weapon was never recovered by investigators.
- The DNA: Baker’s blood was found at the scene because he sliced his own hand during the attack.
- The Payout: The primary motive cited by the state was a $1.6 million life insurance payout, though the defense argued the children were the actual beneficiaries.
- The Sentences: Both Robert Baker and Monica Sementilli are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole in California state prisons.
If you are following the aftermath of this case, the most important takeaway is the depth of the digital trail. Investigators used everything from cell tower pings to Wi-Fi connection logs to prove that Baker was waiting in the wings long before the attack occurred. For those interested in true crime or legal proceedings, the trial transcripts from the 2025 CA v. Sementilli case offer a masterclass in how forensic accounting and digital forensics can dismantle a "perfect" alibi.
To stay updated on any potential appeals or further developments in the Sementilli estate litigation, you can monitor the Los Angeles County Superior Court's public records or follow Court TV’s archived coverage of the 2025 proceedings.