Ex-Husband Sentenced to Life for Orchestrating Wife's Murder After Losing $1M Divorce Battle

In a case of marital betrayal and greed, Tahereh Ghassemi, a 54-year-old Iranian immigrant, was brutally murdered in April 2015 after her ex-husband, Hamid Ghassemi, hired hitmen to kill her. The crime stemmed from a bitter divorce settlement in which Hamid was ordered to pay over $1 million. Eight years later, justice was served as Hamid, a Baton Rouge businessman, was convicted of first-degree murder.

An American Dream Shattered

Tahereh Ghassemi's story began with hope and ambition. Born in Iran, she married Hamid Ghassemi and dreamed of moving to the United States. While Hamid initially left to study in America, he thrived and built a successful life, first opening a pizza shop and later a luxury car dealership. However, Tahereh remained in Iran for years, raising their son, Hamed, until they were finally able to join Hamid in the U.S. in 2005.

Her arrival marked the beginning of a harsh reality. Tahereh discovered that Hamid had secretly married two other women during her absence. Heartbroken, she divorced him and faced an eight-year legal battle over finances. The court eventually awarded her $1 million and two properties. Hamid, enraged by the ruling, plotted a sinister plan to avoid paying his dues.

The Disappearance of Tahereh

On the evening of April 11, 2015, Tahereh disappeared from her Baton Rouge home. Her son, Hamed, returned to find a pot of rice left on the stove, but no sign of his mother. Initially believing she had gone out, Hamed grew concerned when she failed to return. Days later, police uncovered evidence linking a Chevy Tahoe, tied to Hamid's car dealership, to the crime scene.

The investigation revealed that Hamid hired three men — Daniel Richter, Tyler Ashpaugh, and Skyler Williams — to carry out the murder. The hitmen kidnapped Tahereh, injected her with insulin to render her unconscious, and wrapped her in a comforter. When she showed signs of life, Ashpaugh fatally shot her before burying her in a shallow grave in St. Helena Parish.

When Greed Turns Deadly

The motives behind Tahereh's murder were as chilling as the act itself. Hamid feared losing money from the divorce settlement, especially with Tahereh planning to return to Iran. To make matters worse, evidence surfaced that Hamid also intended to kill their son, Hamed, to reclaim his wealth. Fortunately, Hamed's absence from the house on the night of his mother's abduction likely saved his life.

The case took years to resolve due to legal delays and conflicting testimonies. Hamid maintained his innocence, even attempting to blame Hamed for the crime. However, testimonies from one of the hitmen, Daniel Richter, and other evidence painted a clear picture of Hamid's role as the mastermind behind the murder.

Conviction Brings Justice

In August 2023, Hamid Ghassemi, 72, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The other men involved in the crime received varying sentences, with Ashpaugh dying in prison in 2023 from a fentanyl overdose.

For Hamed, the trial's conclusion marked an end to years of anguish. While grieving the loss of his mother and grappling with his father's betrayal, he has worked to rebuild his life. Now married and running a car dealership, Hamed honors his mother's dreams in his own loving way.

References: Mom Who Vanished from Louisiana Home Killed By Hitmen Hired By Her Ex After Divorce Settlement | Jury finds Baton Rouge businessman guilty of murder in his wife's 2015 killing