The brutal killing of Tahereh Ghassemi in Baton Rouge in 2015 shocked everyone there. At first, it looked like a case of missing persons, but it quickly turned into a complicated murder-for-hire plot that even experienced detectives couldn’t figure out. There is a very disturbing plan on NBC’s Dateline: The Ultimate Betrayal. The show focuses on three young men—Tyler Ashpaugh, Skyler Williams, and Daniel Richter—who were all involved in the dark scheme that was planned by Tahereh’s ex-husband, Hamid Ghassemi.
A Phone Call That Unraveled the Truth
The case turned when detectives found a 17-second phone call made just after midnight on April 11, 2015—around the time Tahereh went missing. The call was from Hamid’s phone to a number linked to Tyler Ashpaugh, a 20-year-old who had recently moved from Wisconsin to Louisiana, hoping to turn his life around.
Investigators were baffled. There was no known connection between Hamid and Tyler, raising red flags. With subpoenas in hand, authorities combed through Tyler’s phone and Google Maps data. What they discovered next changed everything.
A Shallow Grave in the Woods
The information about Tyler’s location led police to a remote area in St. Helena Parish. That’s where Tahereh Ghassemi’s body was found, buried quickly and covered with a blanket. The discovery made their worst fears come true. The police quickly came to question Tyler. Even though he was reluctant at first, he finally gave in under pressure and told a terrible story.
Tyler’s Confession: A Killer Trio is Revealed
In a chilling confession, Tyler named two others involved in the crime: his 17-year-old friend Skyler Williams, and Daniel Richter, a 33-year-old mechanic at Import One, Hamid Ghassemi’s car dealership. According to Tyler, it was Richter who first brought them into the plot, allegedly on Hamid’s instructions. The motive? Financial gain and custody issues.
Tyler said the trio drove a vehicle stolen from the dealership to Tahereh’s home. Skyler and Tyler waited until she came outside, then forced her back inside at gunpoint. What followed was a sinister sequence. Tyler claimed Richter injected Tahereh with insulin to knock her out. Believing she was unconscious, they wrapped her in a blanket and stuffed her into the trunk of her own car. But when they reached the wooded area, Tahereh was still alive, moaning in pain. Tyler confessed he then shot her with a .22 caliber gun, ending her life.
A Deal Sealed in Blood
After the murder, Tyler said Richter used his phone to contact Hamid. At Hamid’s residence, they were paid $10,000 in cash, with extra money provided for gasoline to burn the car, destroying evidence. The level of planning and ruthlessness left investigators reeling.
Where Are Tahereh Ghassemi’s Killers Now?
All three men were arrested and charged in connection with Tahereh’s murder.
• Tyler Ashpaugh pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. His testimony became a key part of the prosecution’s case, and he received a life sentence without parole.
• Skyler Williams, only 17 at the time, was also sentenced to life in prison, with his juvenile status complicating his legal path.
• Daniel Richter, considered a major link between Hamid and the teens, was also sentenced to life after being found guilty of first-degree murder.
• Hamid Ghassemi, the mastermind, was also found guilty in the end. His plan to get rid of his ex-wife for money reasons went horribly wrong in the worst way possible.
Even though Tahereh Ghassemi was only killed, her family and the whole community of Baton Rouge were hurt by it. The involvement of young men who were tricked into killing by older people caused people to talk about how vulnerable people are, how greedy people can be, and how fair justice should be.
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Tahereh Ghassemi’s Killer Ex-husband: Where is Hamid Ghassemi Now?
