When Monica Sementilli and Robert Baker found themselves behind bars facing allegations of a murder conspiracy involving Monica's husband, Fabio Sementilli, 49, their romantic relationship persisted in jail as per documents unveiled in a "48 Hours" probe of the situation. Prosecutors claim that their continued love affair while incarcerated, captured in recordings from police sting operations, serves as additional proof of a premeditated murder plot between the couple.
"It kind of hurts to not be touched or f***** or licked or loved by you," expresses Monica, now 52, in a four-page letter to her fellow defendant. Baker, now 61, is straightforward, telling Sementilli while in custody months after their arrest, "I love you baby. I really do."
On June 14, 2017, Baker and Monica were taken into custody and later charged with Fabio's murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Baker entered a no contest plea last July, agreeing to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Monica is set to face trial by herself in April; she has pleaded not guilty. Their case is detailed by "48 Hours" contributor Michelle Miller in "The Monica Sementilli Affair" now available for streaming on Paramount+.
On the day of their arrest, according to a recording released by police, Monica tells a cellmate how much Baker means to her, "He's not just my lover, he's my confidant, he's my everything."
Police say they engaged in an elaborate series of sting operations to continue to investigate the alleged conspiracy between the defendants even while they were held in custody, a "48 Hours" has discovered. Police alternately used standard and creative means to intercept or record the defendants' interactions and statements, all of which is being offered as evidence of conspiracy in Monica's upcoming trial.
For instance, "48 Hours" has confirmed that the cellmate to whom Monica spoke when she was first detained was an undercover police officer posing as an inmate to catch Monica speaking candidly on surreptitious recordings. Police call these types of jailhouse setups where officers pose as inmates inside jail Perkins Operations, referring to the case law which guides how these in-jail, sting operations are conducted.
In the course of our investigation, "48 Hours" has learned that police went to even greater lengths than using undercover officers inside cells to ensnare Monica and Baker. As the two defendants were brought to courtrooms for their initial pre-trial hearings, detectives made arrangements for them to be held in adjoining cells prior to the hearings.
Waiting in nearby cells to be brought into the courtroom, Monica and Baker had an opportunity to speak directly to each other. On six different occasions, first at the Van Nuys Courthouse and then at the downtown Los Angeles criminal courthouse, interactions between Monica and Baker were recorded.
Beyond the sting operations, detectives also intercepted jail letters, referred to by inmates as "kites," and listened to recorded jail phone calls to establish facts about the enduring love affair between Monica and Baker.
"48 Hours" has obtained copies of three different jail love letters written from Monica to Baker which we have learned police intercepted while Monica intended to pass them to Baker in courthouse holding cells. "48 Hours" has learned that the detectives discovered the letters in holding cells while Monica and Baker attended the hearings. The detectives hastily made copies before carefully returning them for the inmates to retrieve after the hearings so that the defendants were unaware the love letters had been intercepted and copied.
Meanwhile, Monica's defense has repeatedly argued, "the sexual and romantic details of their affair were simply irrelevant to the question whether they conspired to murder Fabio Sementilli."
According to prosecutors the information gleaned from these operations establishes that the ongoing jailhouse love affair is further evidence of the murder conspiracy between the accused.
"In essence, the defendants have promised one another that neither will cooperate with law enforcement or testify against the other to save themselves. Rather, they have promised one another that neither will cooperate with law enforcement or testify against the other to save themselves," wrote Deputy District Attorney Beth Silverman.
The unusual situation where the two inmates could speak to each other while detained was designed by law enforcement purposely to record conversations between the unwitting defendants.
Monica Sementilli and Robert Baker used secret code to express love and commitment inside jail, prosecutors cite as evidence of murder conspiracy
According to a 2021 motion filed by the prosecutor, the recordings and intercepted love letters are evidence of an ongoing "secrecy pact" between the accused.
"The defendants often communicated with one another using cryptic language, phrases and codes created in order to secretly communicate without law enforcement's knowledge," including, "the phrases, 'OMM,' '9pm,' 'LOML,' and '100,'" according to a prosecution filing.
Prosecutors allege these coded phrases establish the defendants' love and commitment not only to each other, but also the "conspiracy" and "secrecy pact" between them. "OMM," they allege, means "On My Mind," while they say "9pm" is a reference to a secretive plan to break jail rules and set timing for a phone call where a third party will connect the two to speak directly. The prosecutors contend "LOML" is an "acronym meaning 'Love of My Life' and '100' indicates their 100% commitment to one another."
According to prosecutors, another significant phrase is the one written at the end of one of Monica's love letters, "R or D," an alleged abbreviation for the phrase "Ride or Die."
Detectives found a drawing "depicting a couple embracing one another wearing only underwear and ski masks while holding guns" in Baker's cellphone "entitled 'Ride or Die.'" There is a statement above the drawing, "A relationship where you both love, protect and spoil each other is the best."
"The phrase 'Ride or Die' was frequently used between the defendants as an expression of their commitment to one another and their secrecy pact. On several occasions defendants expressed that they would remain loyal to one another, and never 'talk' to law enforcement about their conspiracy; in their words, they would 'Ride or Die' for one another," the 2021 filing asserts.
Robert Baker and Monica Sementilli allegedly engage in intimate activities during monitored jailhouse meetings arranged and recorded by authorities
The pair utilized six planned meetings orchestrated by investigators, as detailed in court documents. Monica and Baker were captured on recordings "conversing and participating in self-pleasure and other intimate activities," as stated by the prosecutor. The judge has decided that the portions of the recordings involving alleged intimate activities will not be allowed as evidence. Nonetheless, these encounters purportedly showcase the intense bond of their ongoing relationship behind bars.
Following the conclusion of these meetings, the co-defendants and romantic partners in jail reportedly discovered ways to defy the regulations and maintain communication, according to the prosecution. In a filing from 2021, prosecutors mentioned that "over the past four years, the defendants placed numerous calls through intermediaries... enabling them to communicate with each other."
While these phone recordings have been provided to the defense as part of the legal process, they have not been released to the public.
Excerpts examined by "48 Hours" from two of the six recorded encounters include discussions about marriage, and Monica consistently identifies herself as "Mrs. Baker," "Monica Baker," and "your wifey" in her letters. Prosecutors claim that "MB" is a code for Monica Baker.
During their time in custody for the murder of Sementilli's husband, the defendants have consistently referred to each other as husband and wife, showcasing their unwavering dedication not only to each other but also to their sinister conspiracy.
Prosecutor Silverman argued before the grand jury that the strong bond between the lovers fueled their plot to kill Fabio in order to claim his substantial life insurance payout and live out their fairytale ending.
Despite Monica's attorneys attempting to dismiss the evidence of a romantic relationship as irrelevant to the murder conspiracy, it is evident that Monica and Baker's commitment to each other persisted even during their time behind bars, with the prosecutor suggesting it may have spanned years.
In a recorded conversation in lockup, Baker expresses his intentions to marry Monica, declaring her as the perfect wife for him, while Monica reciprocates the sentiment in a heartfelt letter, signing off as "Love your wifey… Monica Baker 'til death. R or D."
Furthermore, in a revealing jailhouse conversation, Robert Baker alludes to Monica Sementilli facing the challenge of potential disownment for her love and desire to marry him, hinting at underlying complexities within the case beyond the surface narrative.
Prosecutor Silverman argued during the grand jury hearings that divorce was not an option for Monica, leading the couple to consider murder as an alternative.
"She's from an Italian family, which means Catholic. They don't believe in divorce, her family won't, it won't be easy for them to take it … So again this provides a motive," said Silverman.
Monica's defense attorneys have disputed this claim, stating that the prosecutor's argument is weak and based on misinterpretation. They argue that there is no solid evidence to suggest that divorce was a concern for Monica.
However, in a recorded conversation between Baker and Monica on Aug. 31, 2017, referred to as "lockup overhears" by the police, Baker appears to hint at Monica's fear of being disowned for their relationship.
"So, when you gonna tell them … when you … when you gonna tell them … how we gonna tell 'em we're gonna get married? How we gonna do this? Then you'll really be officially disowned for loving somebody," Baker says, alluding to Monica potentially facing disownment. Monica replies, "I don't know … I think we may need to wait … until the trial, and see what happens with that."
Baker then adds, "I'm not the one that has the difficulty you do."
A Glimpse into the Complicated Relationship of Monica and Baker
The recently released transcript from the prosecutor's motion sheds light on the tumultuous relationship between Monica and Baker. The conversation, recorded by the Los Angeles Police Department, hints at Monica being "disowned" due to her love for Baker, which seems to have posed challenges for the couple. Baker himself acknowledges this as a "difficulty" for Monica, adding a layer of complexity to their dynamic. This snippet of conversation raises intriguing questions that are sure to be explored further during the trial.
Despite the passage of time and their incarceration, evidence suggests that Monica and Baker maintained a strong emotional connection even after their arrest, possibly lasting for years. Love letters, intimate games, and vows of commitment continued even after Monica became aware of incriminating evidence against Baker in her husband's murder case.
In an exclusive interview with "48 Hours" from jail, Baker revealed that they are now prohibited from communicating with each other. He recounted their last encounter in lockup, where Monica accused him of being a murderer. This accusation marks a stark contrast to their previous interactions, as documented in letters and recordings up to August 2017. During the interview, Baker maintained that Monica was not involved in any conspiracy and that he acted alone.
Prosecutors are adamant that Monica was not uninvolved, outlining 56 blatant acts that they claim show the conspiracy between the two lovers to kill the celebrity hairstylist turned beauty industry executive.
Monica's defense lawyers plan to have Baker testify during Monica's trial.
"We firmly believe that Robert Baker's admission of guilt and his honest testimony will finally prove once and for all that Monica Sementilli was not part of the planning or execution of the murder of her husband, Fabio Sementilli," said Levine following Baker's sentencing.
Whether Monica Sementilli's romantic involvement with the killer, Robert Baker, is seen as proof of a criminal conspiracy or just intense infidelity will be the focal point of Fabio's wife's trial for his murder. Prosecutors aim to present details of their affair starting a year before the crime, continuing after Fabio's death, and as uncovered by "48 Hours," even while they were in custody awaiting trial.
Greg Fisher is a development producer for "48 Hours." He has been following the Fabio Sementilli case since 2017.
