Body found on embankment in Crestline ID’d as missing Newport Beach woman
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A woman found dead near the edge of a mountainside in San Bernardino County nearly two weeks ago has been identified as a Newport Beach resident who went missing last month.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Coroner’s officials reported on Saturday a body discovered about 75 feet down an embankment near the town of Crestline on Nov. 18 belongs to 58-year-old Aryan Papoli.
Sheriff’s deputies from the Twin Peaks station were called to an area near Highway 138 and Crestline Road about the discovery of a body shortly before 11:45 a.m. on Nov. 18. Authorities asked for the public’s help in identifying the woman, circulating a sketch of her likeness to news media outlets, including KTLA.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is overseeing the investigation into Papoli’s death, but officials said Saturday her injuries appear to indicate a fall.
Further details on the circumstances surrounding Papoli’s disappearance were not immediately available Monday. Newport Beach Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Steve Oberon confirmed a missing person’s report was filed with the department at 4:50 p.m. on Nov. 22 — four days after the discovery in Crestline — but could not provide further information.
In an email to the Daily Pilot Tuesday night, Papoli’s son, Navid Goodarzi, provided a link to a website he is reportedly building to pay tribute to his mother — aryanpapoli.net. The site contains photos of the Newport Beach resident, along with brief background information, indicating an obituary from the family will be forthcoming.
“Aryan Papoli, born 1969 in Tehran, spread light, love and joy wherever she went. A sister, mother, friend, and inspiration, Aryan’s passion for creative expression was only matched by her care for those she loved,” reads a message on the site’s home page.
“She died on November 18, 2025. She was living in Newport Beach. Aryan, we miss you so much. Maman, I love you.”
Assistant editor Sara Cardine contributed to this report.
Updates
9:20 a.m. Dec. 3, 2025: This story was updated to include information provided by the victim’s son.
