The tragic murder of Tahereh Ghassemi by her ex-husband Hamid Ghassemi in 2015 left a lasting scar on the Baton Rouge community. A mother and entrepreneur, Tahereh fell victim to a chilling murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by her ex-husband.
The crime shocked everyone, revealing a grim tale of betrayal fueled by greed. After years of delays, Hamid was finally convicted in August 2023 for his role in the heinous act and sentenced to life in prison.
Hamid Ghassemi, the mastermind behind the hire-to-kill murder plot, was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder on September 19, 2023. He is currently serving his sentence at the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Daniel Richter and Skyler Williams were initially charged with first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and arson.
However, they pleaded guilty to reduced charges of manslaughter and are now serving 30-year prison sentences. The third hitman, Tyler Ashpaugh, faced a potential 40-year sentence but passed away in January 2023 while waiting to be sentenced.
Hamid and Tahereh’s divorce had been contentious. According to court documents, Hamid owed Tahereh over $1 million and two homes as part of their settlement. Prosecutors argued that Hamid Ghassemi planned the murder to escape these financial obligations, choosing a sinister path to resolve his problems.
Hamid Ghassemi and other accused
Hamid Ghassemi hired three hitmen, Daniel Richter, Tyler Ashpaugh, and Skyler Williams to kill Tahereh. He paid them $10,000 and even provided gasoline to burn her car. Evidence, including cell phone records, placed Hamid Ghassemi at the crime scenes, sealing his fate during the trial.
Hamid Ghassemi, the mastermind behind the murder-for-hire plot, was convicted of first-degree murder in August 2023. In September, he received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Hamid is currently serving his sentence in the Louisiana Department of Corrections, where he will remain for the rest of his life. His conviction was largely based on critical evidence and the testimony of Daniel Richter, one of the hired hitmen.
Daniel Richter played a significant role in both the crime and the trial. He was one of the three hitmen hired by Hamid Ghassemi and served as the prosecution’s star witness during the trial. Richter pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is serving a 30-year prison sentence. His detailed testimony provided crucial insight into how the murder was planned and executed.
Skyler Williams, another hitman involved in the murder, also pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Like Richter, he received a 30-year prison sentence. Williams admitted to helping carry out the crime, including assisting in the kidnapping and the burning of Tahereh’s car to destroy evidence.
Tyler Ashpaugh, the third hitman, confessed to being the one who fired the fatal shot that killed Tahereh. For his role, he was handed a 40-year prison sentence. However, Ashpaugh died while serving his time in prison. The circumstances of his death have not been widely disclosed.
Detectives used cell phone and tower records to place Hamid Ghassemi at Tahereh’s home and the wooded area on the night of the murder. This critical evidence, combined with confessions from the hitmen, helped build a strong case.
Daniel Richter testified that Hamid Ghassemi explicitly asked him to "help with a situation with his wife." His detailed account of the planning and execution of the murder was pivotal in securing Hamid’s conviction.
After years of delays, Hamid’s trial took place in August 2023. A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, and he received a life sentence in September. The trial provided closure for Tahereh’s grieving family.
The case sparked outrage and sadness within the Baton Rouge community. Media outlets extensively covered the trial, with Dateline NBC revisiting the crime in an episode titled “The Ultimate Betrayal.”
Scheduled for November 30, 2023, the episode promises to dive deep into the case, unraveling the chilling details and exploring how detectives cracked it.
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This case serves as a grim reminder of the destructive power of greed and betrayal. It also highlights the importance of relentless investigative work in delivering justice.
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