The death of celebrity hairstylist Fabio Sementilli shocked people in and out of the entertainment business. In a very strange and disturbing case, his death was planned by his wife, Monica Sementilli, and her lover, Robert Louis Baker. “Sex, Knives, and Videotape,” an episode of ABC’s 20/20 that aired on April 11, 2025, talked about the terrible events that led to Sementilli’s death. This episode showed shocking new information about the plot to kill the beloved hairdresser. But where is the killer now? Robert Baker, a former porn actor, is currently serving a life sentence for his part in this horrible crime. But his story is much more complicated than most criminals’, and it hides a lot of dark secrets.
The Murder That Shocked Hollywood
It was found that Fabio Sementilli (49 yers old) was lying in a pool of blood on the patio of his Woodland Hills, California home on January 23, 2017. He had been severely stabbed several times in the face, chest, and neck. The strange and scary details about his death were revealed. Monica, Sementilli’s wife, and Robert Baker, her lover, planned to kill him so that they could get a lot of money from his $1.6 million life insurance and start a new life together.
The case quickly got a lot of attention from the media. It was well known in the business that Sementilli was a good stylist and vice president of education for Wella. It was clear that greed and betrayal were behind his death, which made it seem even more senseless and tragic.
The Conspiracy Behind the Murder
Robert Louis Baker and Monica Sementilli had been having an affair behind each other’s backs, which turned into a scary plan to kill Baker. Monica, who had three kids, was unhappy in her marriage to Fabio and tried to leave. Robert Baker walks in. He has a troubled past and has been through a lot.
There was a record for Robert Louis Baker because he was found guilty of lewd and lascivious behavior with a minor in the early 1990s. He was living a calmer life as a racquetball coach at the time of the murder. Baker had forgotten about his past, though and it would play a big part in his role in killing Fabio.
Around 2015, Baker and Monica began seeing each other. Even though Baker was in his 50s and Monica was much younger, they became close, and the relationship quickly became serious. They even talked about having a future together. But Monica was committed to her happy life with Fabio, and she was raised Catholic, so getting a divorce wasn’t likely. They instead planned to kill Fabio in cold blood.
The Murder Plot Unfolds
Robert and Monica carefully thought out their plan, which included several tries and careful steps to make sure they could get away with murder. At first, they planned for a friend, Christopher Austin, to kill Fabio while he was picking up dinner near a store. Austin changed his mind, though, so the couple had to carry out their plan on their own.
Monica Sementilli left her house on January 23, 2017, to find an alibi. While she was out shopping, she forgot to lock the door, letting Robert and Austin in. The two men waited outside for Fabio while Monica was away. They attacked him with knives and stabbed him several times when he did. Christopher said that Robert Baker stabbed Fabio twice and Austin then hit him so hard that he died.
After killing the man, the two tried to hide their crime by pretending to rob a store. The thieves took Fabio’s Porsche and then left it on a nearby street. Blood found in the car eventually led police to Baker, whose DNA was already in the system because he had been convicted before. This important evidence finally connected Baker to the murder, revealing the plot that had been going on behind closed doors.
Robert Louis Baker’s Conviction and Sentence
Once Fabio was dead, both Robert Baker and Monica Sementilli were caught and put in jail. Baker first said he was not guilty of the murder and conspiracy to murder charges that were brought against him. But as the investigation went on, more proof was found, which made the case against Baker stronger. Chris Austin’s testimony, in which he confirmed the details of the murder, helped the prosecution’s case.
Robert Louis Baker made a big choice in 2023: he pleaded “no contest” to all charges, even the special circumstance charges of murder for money and murder while lying in wait. Baker didn’t fight the charges, but he also didn’t say he was guilty either. He was given a life sentence in prison without the chance of parole in exchange for this plea.
After a 10-week jury trial, Monica was convicted on April 11, 2025. The trial, which was ongoing for several weeks, was marked by testimonies from friends, family, and law enforcement officials. Monica was seen breaking down in tears as the verdict was read, clearly shocked by the outcome.
Where is Fabio’s Killer Robert Baker Now?
Robert Louis Baker is still locked up at the medium-security Wasco State Prison in Kern County, California, even though he is 62 years old now. Because he is sentenced to life in prison, he will never be free. During Monica’s trial, he had to testify because it was part of the plea deal, but it didn’t really change anything. Monica was found guilty of first-degree murder and planning to kill her husband. Monica is scheduled for sentencing on June 23, 2025. She faces life in prison without the possibility of parole, the same sentence that was handed down to Robert Baker.
In the 48 Hours episode titled “The Sementilli Murder,” additional information came to light regarding Robert Baker’s mental state and his role in the murder. During his prison interview, Baker continued to deny Monica’s involvement in the killing, even though all evidence pointed to her. This denial has sparked a debate, especially considering Monica’s defense could use his testimony to weaken the prosecution’s case against her. The episode also revealed more about Baker’s troubled past, shedding light on his criminal history and the path that led him to commit such a horrific crime.
Robert Louis Baker and Monica Sementilli’s case is about murder, betrayal, and greed. A man was killed in cold blood because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. It all started with a passionate affair. Fabio Sementilli’s family is still grieving over his death and has to deal with the fact that he is no longer with them. It makes his son, Luigi, feel better to wear his father’s Rolex watch, which is a reminder of the tragic end of his life.
Fabio’s sister, Mirella, expressed grief but also pride in the legacy her brother left behind. “It’s hard to dig deep for a silver lining here,” she admitted. “We were blessed to have him, even for a short time.”
Robert Louis Baker’s role in this crime shows how dark people can be, even when they don’t seem like it. Baker’s troubled past, as a former porn star and convicted sex offender, came together with his desire for money and revenge, killing Fabio Sementilli in the end. He is in prison now, getting a life sentence for his part in the murder.
In a case that 20/20 and 48 Hours have gone into great detail about, viewers are left to deal with the horrifying fact that sometimes, the people closest to us can have the worst intentions. The Sementilli family is even more upset because they know that the people they trusted killed their loved one.
When we think about the terrible things that happened in 2017, they remind us of how complicated relationships are and what can happen when people make decisions based on greed and selfishness. If you betray someone, Robert Louis Baker will spend the rest of your life in prison.
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