Cash App^® Founder Fatally Stabbed by Acquaintance

The tech world was shaken when Nima Momeni, a trusted acquaintance and fellow entrepreneur, was convicted of brutally murdering Cash App^® founder Bob Lee. Nima's sister, Khazar Momeni, had introduced them, hoping Lee might collaborate with her brother on a project. What seemed like a promising connection would instead lead to a shocking and deadly betrayal.

The Night of the Tragedy

On April 4, 2023, Lee was discovered gravely injured on a deserted street in San Francisco, having been stabbed multiple times, including a fatal wound to the heart. Despite his efforts to seek help, Lee succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital. A blood trail led investigators to a 3 1/2-inch knife discarded near the crime scene, which was later identified as the murder weapon.

Unraveling the Motive

The investigation revealed a complex web of personal relationships and grievances. Prosecutors argued that Nima's anger stemmed from his sister, who alleged that she had been sexually assaulted during a gathering at the home of a man named Jeremy Boivin — who Lee had introduced her to — on April 3, 2023. She testified that she was under the influence of cocaine, LSD, and GHB, a drug often linked to sexual assaults, and that Boivin had slapped her butt inappropriately while she was unable to move.

After the alleged assault, Khazar confided in her brother, prompting a tense phone call between Nima and Lee. A witness later told authorities that Nima aggressively questioned Lee about what had occurred that night. Later, Nima met with Lee and his sister at her home, where prosecutors alleged that he took a paring knife from the kitchen before leaving with Lee. Investigators later determined that the knife used in the murder was the same brand as those found in Khazar's kitchen.

The Trial and Verdict

During the trial, the defense described Lee's death as an accident fueled by drugs and alcohol. Nima testified that, despite his initial anger over his sister's allegations, he later believed she had exaggerated the events. He claimed that after meeting with Lee, they planned to visit a strip club, consumed cocaine together, and continued partying into the night. According to Nima, Lee spilled a beer in the car, leading them to pull over to clean up. Nima stated that he teased Lee about spending time partying instead of being with his family, which allegedly enraged Lee and led to a physical confrontation.

Nima, who studied martial arts, claimed that Lee lunged at him with a knife first, forcing him to defend himself. He testified that he grabbed Lee's arm and in the struggle, accidentally pushed the blade into Lee's chest. Believing Lee was unharmed, Nima left the scene. However, prosecutors argued that Nima's story was riddled with inconsistencies and that the evidence did not support his self-defense claim.

Further damaging Nima's case was a text message his sister sent to Lee on the morning of April 4, before she knew he was dead. In the message, she acknowledged her brother had been particularly harsh toward Lee and thanked him for handling it with "class," according to KRON 4. Prosecutors pointed to this as evidence that Nima's confrontation with Lee was aggressive and premeditated rather than an act of self-defense.

After seven days of deliberation, a jury found Nima guilty of second-degree murder in December 2024. He now faces a sentence ranging from 16 years to life in prison, with sentencing set for May 16, 2025.

Community Reactions

The verdict has sparked strong reactions from both families. Lee's family expressed relief but had hoped for a first-degree murder conviction. They highlighted the devastating impact of his death, particularly on his children and the tech community. Meanwhile, Nima's family continues to maintain his innocence and plans to appeal the decision.

As Nima Momeni awaits sentencing, the tech world is left to process the shocking betrayal and its lasting impact.

References: Tech titan's murder rocked Silicon Valley. For his loved ones, it was personal. | Bob Lee murder: Nima Momeni's sentencing set for May | Nima Momeni guilty of murder in killing of Cash App founder Bob Lee | 'It's absolutely insane.' Bob Lee's family reacts to Nima Momeni's testimony