🔪 "People Magazine Investigates" Tackles the Murders of Jody Loomis and Fabio Sementilli in Season 9

The true-crime series 'People Magazine Investigates' is returning for its ninth season, and the lineup promises a deep dive into two distinct and compelling cases that shocked the public decades apart: the 1972 cold-case murder of Jody Loomis and the 2017 slaying of celebrity hairstylist Fabio Sementilli.

The ninth season of the series, which utilizes original reporting from People Magazine's true crime team, is set to debut on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on Investigation Discovery (ID).

Here is a look at the two cases set to be featured:

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1. The Fabio Sementilli Murder (2017)

The episode focusing on Fabio Sementilli will explore the sensational and shocking murder of the renowned hair care executive and celebrity hairstylist.

Case Details:

• Victim: Fabio Sementilli, 49, a well-known figure in the global hair care industry and a Vice President of Education for the beauty products company Coty, Inc.

• The Crime: On January 23, 2017, Sementilli was found brutally stabbed to death on the back patio of his home in Woodland Hills, California. His body was discovered by his youngest daughter.

• The Investigation: Initially, police suspected a random home invasion robbery, as Sementilli’s luxury car (a Porsche) was stolen and the home security DVR was removed. However, the focus quickly shifted closer to home.

• The Twist: Authorities eventually arrested Sementilli's wife, Monica Sementilli, and her secret lover, Robert Baker, a convicted sex offender. Prosecutors alleged that the couple conspired to kill Fabio in order to collect his $1.6 million life insurance policy.

• Resolution: Robert Baker pleaded no contest to first-degree, special circumstances murder and was sentenced to life without parole. After a lengthy trial, Monica Sementilli was found guilty of murder and conspiracy in April 2025, with a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The episode is expected to feature exclusive details from the trial and the original investigation, highlighting the betrayal and greed that led to the murder of the beloved hairstylist.

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2. The Jody Loomis Murder (1972)

The series will also dedicate an episode to the decades-old cold case of Jody Loomis, demonstrating the program's focus on both high-profile and long-unsolved crimes.

Case Details:

• Victim: Jody Loomis, a young woman whose murder took place in 1972 in Washington State.

• The Crime: The specifics of the crime are not explicitly detailed in the synopsis, but Loomis's case is noted as one that spanned decades, remaining cold for years.

• Resolution: The fact that the case is now being featured on a show that often focuses on solved crimes suggests that new evidence or investigative techniques—likely genetic genealogy—played a role in identifying and apprehending a suspect, finally bringing justice to the victim's family after more than 50 years.

The episode will likely explore the initial investigation, the long period of uncertainty, and the modern forensic techniques that led to the breakthrough in the half-century-old case.

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📺 Season 9 Premiere Details

The ninth season of People Magazine Investigates promises 12 new episodes, utilizing interviews and new reporting to revisit headline-grabbing cases.

• Premiere Date: Monday, January 12, 2026

• Time: 9:00 PM ET

• Channel: Investigation Discovery (ID)

• Streaming: Episodes will be available to stream the next day on HBO Max.

The season premiere, "Vanished in the Heartland," will focus on the disappearance of 52-year-old Dee Warner from her Michigan home.