Celebrity Hair Stylist’s Wife Found Guilty of His Murder

The twisted murder case of beloved celebrity hair stylist Fabio Sementilli has finally reached a chilling conclusion. On Friday, a Los Angeles jury convicted his wife, Monica Sementilli, of first-degree murder and conspiracy in his brutal 2017 stabbing death—a plot prosecutors say was fueled by lust and greed.

Fabio, 49, was found with multiple stab wounds across his neck, face, and chest, lying lifeless on the patio of his upscale Woodland Hills home on January 23, 2017. The killing sent shockwaves through both the beauty world and the tight-knit Los Angeles community he had inspired for decades.

Prosecutors painted a dark picture of Monica’s double life—carrying on a secret affair with her lover, Robert Baker, while plotting her husband’s murder to cash in on his life insurance and start a new life together. In 2023, Baker pleaded no contest to charges of murder for financial gain and lying in wait. He was handed a life sentence without parole.

Monica, who has now been convicted, will be sentenced on June 23.

But the tangled web didn’t end there. A third man, Christopher Austin, was arrested in October and later took the stand against Monica during her March trial. He testified that Baker stabbed Fabio while he stood by—claiming Monica had left the door unlocked to let them in. Though defense lawyers grilled him about possible deals with prosecutors, Austin insisted he was testifying truthfully. He was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder and is expected to receive 16 years behind bars.

The case is now the focus of a gripping new episode of ABC’s 20/20, titled Sex, Knives, and Videotape, airing Friday, April 11, at 9 p.m. ET and streaming the next day on Hulu. Viewers can also dive deeper into the emotional aftermath on 20/20: The After Show podcast, hosted by Deborah Roberts.

For Fabio’s family, the verdict may bring a small sense of closure. His son Luigi, Monica’s stepson, clings to his father’s memory through a treasured watch.

“He wore this all the time. He wore it when he died,” Luigi said in an interview. “I wear it for special occasions when I want to feel close to him.”

His sister Mirella added, “It’s hard to find a silver lining in all of this. But his legacy will live on. We were blessed to have him, even for a short time.”