In a shocking turn of events, the tech world is reeling as a California-based CEO faces serious allegations. Gordon Abas Goodarzi, the head of Magmotor Technologies, is now accused of murdering his estranged wife, Aryan Papoli. This development comes over two months after Papoli’s body was found at the foot of a cliff in a remote area.

On January 25, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office announced that murder charges had been officially filed against the 66-year-old Goodarzi. Aryan Papoli, 58, was discovered dead on November 18, at the bottom of a steep embankment near Crestline Road and Highway 138, following her disappearance. Authorities confirmed her identity on December 1.

The tragic discovery has left Papoli’s son, Navid Goodarzi, grappling with an unimaginable loss. In an interview with ABC 7 on December 3, he expressed his deep sorrow, describing the situation as a “nightmare scenario.” He poignantly reflected on the common comfort people offer, “At least they passed in their sleep,” noting the newfound significance of this sentiment in light of his mother’s untimely death.

On Nov. 18, Papoli’s body was discovered lying 75 feet down a steep embankment near Crestline Road and Highway 138, days after she had gone missing, according to the press release. Papoli’s body was positively identified on Dec. 1 by authorities.

“It’s hard—it’s really hard,” Papoli’s son Navid Goodarzi told ABC 7 on Dec. 3. “This is like, nightmare scenario. I was sort of, morbidly joking that like, I understand now when someone is like, ‘At least they passed in their sleep’ … there’s a reason why people say that.”  

Navid told the outlet of his mother: “She was amazing. She loved people, she loved animals, she loved art.”

It is alleged that the crime may have “involved great violence, great bodily harm, threat of great bodily harm, or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness,” according to a felony complaint reviewed by Oxygen. It’s also alleged in the complaint that “The manner in which the crime was carried out indicates planning, sophistication, or professionalism.”

Gordon, who was arrested on Jan. 23, is currently housed at the San Bernardino County West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. 

He appeared in court on Jan. 26 in San Bernardino Superior Court and his bail is ineligible, according to documents reviewed by Oxygen. The DA’s press release lists Gordon’s arraignment date as Jan. 27, while a spokesperson from the Office of the District Attorney County of San Bernardino told Oxygen that a bail hearing will also take place at that time. It is unclear if Gordon has yet entered a plea. An attorney for Gordon did not return a request for comment from Oxygen.