Twisted Plot: The Murder of Tahereh Ghassemi and the End of the Men Involved
This story reveals the seedy truth of the murder of Tahereh Ghassemi and the three men involved — Tyler Ashpaugh / Skyler Williams / Daniel Richter. What had initially been a missing person case had become a murder-for-hire conspiracy connected to her ex-husband, Hamid Ghassemi. Investigators tracked digital breadcrumbs and found a horrifying history of abuse.
Each suspect had different functions, from conspiring to implementing the act. One of the men has since died in prison, and all the others are serving long sentences. This is how it unfolded, how justice was ultimately done, and where the suspects are now. It’s a story that reminds us of the lasting damage of crime and how the truth can come out.
A Mysterious Phone Call That Altered Everything
Tahereh Ghassemi went missing on April 11, 2015, in Baton Rouge. Police quickly zeroed in on her former husband, Hamid Ghassemi. They discovered a 17-second phone call placed just after midnight on Hamid’s phone to someone named Tyler Ashpaugh. That stumped investigators — there was no apparent connection between Hamid and Tyler.
But that phone call cracked open the door to a more profound, darker mystery. Investigators subpoenaed Tyler’s phone and GPS records. They also saw he had driven to a desolate spot in St. Helena Parish that night.
Police tracked the digital trail and found original copies of Tahereh’s body, buried in a shallow grave. This was the evidence that incriminated Tyler. His confession would effectively unravel the rest of the case.
Tyler Ashpaugh Revealed The Plot To Kill Him
In a police interrogation, Tyler Ashpaugh confessed to assisting in the murder of Tahereh. He cited two others: his 17-year-old friend Skyler Williams and Daniel Richter, a mechanic at Hamid’s dealership. Richter “brought us in” but claimed the murder was ordered by Hamid himself, Tyler said.
They planned to kill Tahereh — and perhaps her 8-year-old son — for money. That night, the group drove a Chevrolet Tahoe from the dealership and sat outside her house. When Tahareh came out, they pushed her back in.
Richter allegedly shot up Tyler with insulin to knock her out, Tyler said. They bundled her in a blanket, put her in the trunk of her car, and drove to the woods. There, Tyler said that when she started to move, he shot her. The group later gathered $10,000 each from Hamid and cash for gasoline to incinerate the car.
Justice Catches Up: Arrests And Charges Ensue
Tyler’s confession also led cops to arrest all three men in May 2015. Tyler was offered a plea deal in exchange for his testimony against Hamid. He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 40 years. He was first incarcerated at Dixon Correctional Institute and later transferred to Louisiana State Penitentiary in 2021.
Skyler Williams and Daniel Richter were also charged. Richter pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2018, but in 2021, he changed his plea. Following Tyler’s death, prosecutors pressured Richter to testify against Hamid, and he did. He said Hamid had not wanted the body to be found. Skyler also pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2023 to 30 years.
Tyler Ashpaugh Dies Without Seeing Justice Through
In January 2023, Tyler Ashpaugh was discovered unresponsive in his cell by prison staff. He was transported to the infirmary and declared dead. Every day, despair. There was a joint in the car, and Milan experimented with the joint, which had been laced with fentanyl, a potent opioid. Document. Tyler’s killing was a seminal moment in the case.
In his absence, the state put on testimony from Daniel Richter. His court testimony was instrumental in keeping the case against Hamid Ghassemi alive. And while Tyler would never serve his whole sentence, his confession was enough to put the gears of justice into motion and provide closure for a portion of the investigation.
Skyler Williams and Daniel Richter Are In Jail Today
Skyler Williams, 27, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in March 2023 and was sentenced in August that year to 30 years in prison. He is now being held in jail with the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Officials have not disclosed his precise whereabouts or the terms of any prospective parole. Daniel Richter, 43, was convicted in September 2023 and received a 30-year sentence.
He is being held at the David Wade Correctional Center. His position as the middleman could have made him a critical witness against Hamid, the co-defendants, and the youths. His plea deal and courtroom statements helped put a bow on the case. Booth men are still in prison today, serving their debt for their involvement in a macabre scheme to kill.
FAQs
Who was Tahereh Ghassemi?
She was a mother from Baton Rouge who was killed in 2015. Her ex-husband had plotted her killing.
Who was Tyler Ashpaugh (and what role did he play)?
Tyler assisted in carrying out the murder and later came clean, telling police the entire scheme.
Is Tyler Ashpaugh Dead or Alive?
No. He died of a fentanyl overdose in prison in 2023.
Where is Daniel Richter now?
He is doing time at the David Wade Correctional Center in Louisiana.
What became of Skyler Williams?
Skyler is doing 30 years. It has not been publicly revealed where he is.
Final Words
For Tahereh Ghassemi, the murder was also a terrible betrayal by people she likely never met. The inquiry revealed a murder-for-hire plot motivated by greed, executed by burning young men who an older conspirator directed.
The truth emerged thanks to crucial digital evidence and honest confessions. One of the killers died before serving out the end of his term, but justice still caught up with the others. The story is a painful reminder of the depths to which betrayal can sink.
Table of Contents