JURY REACHES VERDICT IN MONICA SEMENTILLI MURDER TRIAL, AND ‘20/20’ IS IN THE COURTROOM

After a months-long, high-profile trial, a jury has reached a verdict in the case of Monica Sementilli, who was accused of orchestrating the brutal murder of her husband, renowned celebrity hairstylist Fabio “Big Daddy” Sementilli. Monica has maintained her innocence and pleaded not guilty to the charge. ABC News correspondent Chris Connelly reports on the dramatic courtroom proceedings and final decision in a compelling new two-hour episode of “20/20,” airing Friday, April 11 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC and streaming the next day on Hulu. The broadcast features exclusive access to those closest to the case and firsthand accounts from inside the courtroom.

Fabio was a beloved and sought-after hairstylist with a client roster that included Jennifer Lopez, Russell Crowe, Jackie Chan, Jennifer Love Hewitt and more. When he was discovered lying lifeless on his family’s pool deck with multiple stab wounds to his neck and back, his family, friends and the haircare industry were devastated. Initially, police suspected he had been a victim of a burglary gone wrong — until DNA led them to an unlikely suspect. After a months-long trial, Monica learned her fate when a jury rendered their decision.

The “20/20” episode features interviews with Mirella Sementilli, Fabio’s sister; Luigi Sementilli, Fabio’s son; Vanda Apostoli-Carino, Fabio’s first wife; and Fabio’s close friends Joe Mercurio, Antonio Quintieri, and Dominic and Connie Veroni. Additional interviews include Elyse Bleuel, a close friend of Monica, and Robert Villa, Los Angeles County deputy district attorney.

ABC News’ “20/20” is an award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Deborah Roberts. A proven leader as a long-form newsmagazine for over 45 years, “20/20” features unforgettable, character-driven true-crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports, and in-depth coverage of high-profile stories. Janice Johnston is the executive producer. The two-hour “20/20” events air Fridays from 9:01-11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and are available to stream on ABC News digital platforms and Hulu.

*COPYRIGHT ©2025 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted, or used for any other purposes without written permission of ABC. Images are distributed to the press to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.

ABC News Media Relations
Bridgette Maney
bridgette@bridgepr.net

For more information, follow ABC News PR on Facebook, X and Instagram.