“The Widow of Woodland Hills”: Dateline Reports on Fabio Sementilli Homicide April 11 2025

On Friday, NBC’s Dateline aired a gripping episode at 9 PM ET/PT that dove deep into the shocking murder of Fabio Sementilli, a beloved celebrity hairstylist who was found stabbed to death outside his Woodland Hills, Los Angeles home in 2017. Titled simply by the man whose name captivated headlines across the globe, the episode was reported by Josh Mankiewicz and featured new insight into a case marked by secrets, betrayal, and unexpected revelations.

Through emotional interviews and exclusive case footage, viewers were taken back to the day Fabio’s teenage daughter came home from school and discovered her father’s lifeless body on the patio. What initially appeared to be a robbery gone wrong quickly turned into a homicide investigation that exposed a conspiracy no one could have foreseen.

A Father, A Husband, A Star in the Beauty World

Fabio Sementilli, known professionally as “Big Daddy,” was an international figure in the world of hair styling. As vice president of education at Wella, his reputation extended far beyond Los Angeles. He mentored stylists across the globe, hosted shows, and inspired colleagues and friends with his warmth and larger-than-life personality. At home, he was a devoted father to three children and a husband to Monica Sementilli. By all appearances, the Sementillis were a successful and happy family.

That illusion was shattered on January 23, 2017. Fabio was found by one of his daughters, stabbed repeatedly in the neck, chest, and thigh. Blood stained the family’s pool deck. At first glance, detectives believed they were dealing with a home invasion—until inconsistencies emerged. Valuables were untouched, and there was no forced entry. A neighbor’s security camera helped piece together a chilling timeline that would change everything.

The Investigation Unfolds

Veteran LAPD Detective Mitzi Roberts led the case. Her team combed through the neighborhood and found video footage from a nearby residence that showed two men in hooded sweatshirts entering the Sementilli home. That discovery helped identify Robert Baker, Monica’s lover and a registered sex offender with a past in the adult film industry, as a suspect.

Investigators unearthed a digital trail of encrypted messages between Monica and Baker, exchanged before and after the murder. More than two hundred communications between the pair were recorded over two days. Prosecutors said Monica left doors unlocked and monitored the scene remotely to help Baker and his accomplice, Christopher Austin, access the property.

The break in the case came when DNA from the scene linked Baker directly to the killing. Further evidence suggested a romantic and financial motive: Monica and Baker were in a long-term affair, and Monica stood to benefit from her husband’s $1.6 million life insurance policy.

The Role of the Accomplices

Robert Baker was arrested five months after the murder. He ultimately pleaded no contest in 2023 to first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. His sentence: life in prison without the possibility of parole. During the trial, Baker claimed he acted alone and that Monica had no knowledge of the murder plan. He testified that his motive was love, not greed.

But Christopher Austin told a different story. A friend of Baker’s and a former probation officer, Austin testified that Baker claimed Monica wanted her husband “gone.” He said Monica made it easier for them to enter the home and carry out the plan. Austin accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to second-degree murder. He is currently serving a sixteen-year sentence.

Family, Friends, and the Fallout

Dateline gave voice to those closest to Fabio. His sisters, Mirella Sementilli and Lori Picillo, remembered a generous brother who devoted himself to his family and career. His friends Joe Mercurio and Pete Castellanos described the disbelief and grief that followed Fabio’s death. His niece, Stephanie Avola, shared how the tragedy left a permanent mark on their family.

They spoke of their anger and heartbreak after learning Monica had been arrested and charged in the conspiracy. Interviews with the Sementilli family made it clear that justice was the only path to healing. They described Monica’s betrayal not just of her husband but of the entire family who had embraced her for decades.

The Verdict and the Aftermath

In April 2025, Monica Sementilli was found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Jurors agreed on the special circumstance allegations: murder for financial gain and murder while lying in wait. Monica was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She sobbed in court as the verdict was read, while her defense attorney vowed to appeal.

Fabio’s family described the verdict as a long-awaited moment of justice. “Today marks the day of healing,” Mirella Sementilli said. “Justice was served today.” Lori Picillo added, “Our spirits are lifted. My brother can now rest in peace.”

A Story That Shocked and Moved a Nation

Josh Mankiewicz’s Dateline report highlighted not only the crime itself but the devastating emotional toll it took on those left behind. What began as a mysterious murder in a quiet neighborhood became a saga of lies, hidden motives, and shattered trust.

By speaking with detectives, relatives, and friends, Dateline painted a full picture of who Fabio was and what was lost in the act of violence. The story continues to resonate with audiences because it reflects how betrayal can emerge from within the most trusted circles—and how those seeking justice must navigate unbearable grief in the pursuit of truth.

This episode of Dateline is a powerful account of love turned deadly, and the consequences that follow when deception replaces loyalty.