Renowned Hairstylist Found Dead In Upscale Woodland Hills Home
WOODLAND HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Was it a random or targeted attack? Los Angles police detectives Tuesday were trying to find out as they investigated the stabbing death of a renowned hairstylist in his Woodland Hills estate.
Fabio Sementilli, 49, was found dead around 5 p.m. Monday on the back patio of his home in the 5000 block of Queen Victoria Road.
The victim's wife and daughter discovered his body. He had been stabbed several times in the face, neck and upper body, police said.
They believed two men broke into Sementilli's home and drove off in his black 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera with paper plates.
Sementilli was Vice President of Education for Wella, a major German hair-care company.
He was affectionately called "big daddy" and passionate about mentoring others in the hair styling industry.
Wella Education posted on Facebook: "Our hearts are broken. He will be sorely missed."
At the victim's home, friends and family came and left but were too shocked and sad to say much.
If anyone knows what an impact Sementilli made on the hairstyling industry, it's certainly Eden Sassoon, the daughter of another industry icon Vidal Sassoon and star of Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
"A man that truly cared. Excuse my French, he gave a (expletive). It made a difference," said Sassoon, who called Sementilli a mentor and friend.
"To lose your father, your husband, your son to a crime like that, my heart truly just goes out to them. I don't know. I can't imagine," Sassoon said as she got choked up. "It's a huge loss for them, a huge loss. I don't know when and if in their lifetime those shoes can be filled. He really stood out. When you say his name, you smile."
It seems Sementilli will be remembered just as he had wanted.
In a 2015 Youtube video, he said: "I want to be remembered for the relationships I've built and how maybe I've made people feel."
Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact the LAPD's Homicide Bureau at (818) 374-1925.
