On Friday, a Los Angeles jury convicted Monica Sementilli of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the stabbing death of her husband, celebrity hairstylist Fabio Sementilli, in 2017.
Fabio Sementilli, 49, was found stabbed to death on the patio of his Woodland Hills, California, home on January 23, 2017. He had sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck, face, and chest. Monica Sementilli’s sentencing has been scheduled for June 23, 2025.
A recent episode of ABC’s “20/20,” titled Sex, Knives, and Videotape, delves into the details of the case, which is also available for streaming on Hulu. The episode explores how Monica and her lover, Robert Baker, conspired to kill Fabio in order to collect life insurance money and be together.
In 2023, Baker pled “no contest” to all charges related to the murder, including special circumstance allegations of murder for financial gain and murder while lying in wait. His plea led to a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Additionally, in October 2024, Christopher Austin was arrested in connection with the murder. Austin testified during Monica’s trial, claiming that he and Baker killed Fabio after Monica left the door unlocked. However, he denied receiving any deal from prosecutors in exchange for his testimony. Austin was convicted of second-degree murder and faces 16 years in prison at his sentencing in April.
The Sementilli family has expressed mixed emotions about the verdict. Fabio’s son, Luigi, who is Monica’s stepson, shared that he finds comfort in his father’s Rolex watch, which he wears on special occasions. “I wear it for special occasions when I wanna feel close to him,” Luigi said. Fabio’s sister, Mirella, added, “His legacy will live on. We were blessed to have him, even for a short time.”
Monica Sementilli is set to be sentenced later this year, as the case continues to unfold, providing some semblance of closure for the Sementilli family after years of grief.
