Update on the case: Monica Sementilli, the wife of famous hairdresser Fabio Sementilli, was found guilty of his murder on April 11, 2025. The jury determined that Monica was responsible for the beating and stabbing death of Fabio in their Los Angeles home in 2017.
It was a tense moment when I unexpectedly sat down with Robert Baker, who had previously pleaded no contest to the murder of Fabio Sementilli. Baker appeared puzzled as he approached the glass that separated us, asking, „who are you?“
As a producer for „48 Hours,“ I visited Baker at the North County Correctional Facility in Los Angeles on March 2 to discuss the crime and his alleged accomplice, Monica Sementilli. Monica, who was Fabio’s wife and Baker’s former lover, was also implicated in the murder. Despite the challenges of visiting the remote jail, our conversation began with Baker expressing surprise at my efforts to find him.
During our discussion, Baker denied Monica’s involvement in the murder, claiming she was unaware of his actions. Despite facing significant circumstantial evidence, Monica’s defense team hopes to secure a not guilty verdict at her upcoming trial.
When asked why he pleaded no contest without a deal, Baker cited „due process“ as his reason, despite knowing his chances of acquittal were slim. Our conversation revolved around his facial expressions, as he was cautious about being recorded discussing certain topics.
Baker’s decision to plead no contest had implications for Monica, as she was now set to stand trial alone. He dismissed the idea that his plea was a favor to Monica, emphasizing his belief in due process. Baker also denied allegations that he met Monica before the murder to plan the attack on Fabio.
Throughout our conversation, Baker expressed frustration with the prosecution’s evidence and maintained his innocence in certain aspects of the case. He and Monica used encrypted apps like WhatsApp and Viber to communicate, as well as sharing her family’s home security system credentials. When questioned about these actions, he simply shrugged them off as insignificant. Despite millions of Americans using similar apps and systems, the fact that they shared these details before Fabio’s murder could be seen as suspicious to an objective observer like a juror. However, Baker remained defensive and refused to acknowledge any potential wrongdoing.
Similarly, when confronted about his Facebook messages hinting at moving in with Monica, Baker dismissed them as casual conversations between friends. He failed to grasp the significance of these messages, especially considering the timing of Fabio’s murder shortly after. Baker’s nonchalant attitude towards these incriminating details was unsettling to the writer.
At his sentencing, Baker was faced with the emotional testimony of Fabio’s devastated family members, who expressed their grief and loss at the hands of his actions. Despite appearing remorseful during the hearing, Baker’s repeated response of „heartbreaking“ seemed insincere to those present. When asked if he wanted to apologize to Fabio’s family, Baker offered no response, only repeating his previous statement.
The writer also confronted Baker about the brutal details of Fabio’s murder, emphasizing the sheer violence and lack of chance for him to defend himself. Baker seemed to be affected by the crime scene photos, finally coming face to face with the reality of his actions. The image of Fabio in his familiar setting, brutally murdered, struck a chord with Baker, prompting him to acknowledge the gravity of his crime.
The possibility of Baker testifying at Monica’s trial was discussed, with her defense team considering his testimony as a potential game-changer. Baker’s insistence on telling the truth rather than supporting Monica raised doubts about his motives. Legal experts were skeptical of the impact his testimony might have, considering his criminal background and potential cross-examination.
Baker’s background in the porn industry was briefly touched upon, but the writer chose not to delve into his criminal history involving a minor. Instead, the focus was on Monica’s alleged double life post-Fabio’s murder, with prosecutors claiming she maintained a facade of grief while engaging in a secret romance with Baker. Baker defended Monica’s grief as genuine and intense, citing her severing ties with him upon learning of his involvement in the murder.
In a surprising turn, Baker claimed that their relationship was over and that Monica had cursed him upon discovering his role in Fabio’s death. This revelation contradicted previous evidence of love letters exchanged between them in jail, signed with endearing messages. The complex dynamics of their relationship and Monica’s alleged deception added another layer of intrigue to the case. Als plötzlich ein stellvertretender Sheriff auftauchte, drehte Baker sich um und verließ abrupt unser Interview. Draußen wartete ich neben einem Schild, auf dem stand „Vorsicht vor Berglöwen, lassen Sie Kinder nicht unbeaufsichtigt“. Den frischen, klaren Bergluft genießend, reflektierte ich über ein lebhaftes, aber zurückhaltendes Gespräch, das Einblicke in Offenheit lieferte, ob beabsichtigt oder unbeabsichtigt, von einem Mörder.
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