Naman Shrestha
Iranian natives, Tahereh and her son, Hamed Ghassemi, lived together in one of the better neighborhoods in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but not always peacefully, as they shared a rather unstable mother-son relationship. So, when she went missing from their shared home, the investigators suspected Hamed to be involved in Tahereh’s disappearance. However, as the investigation progressed, his father, Hamid, turned out to be the primary perpetrator. In NBC’s ‘Dateline: The Ultimate Betrayal,’ the entire case is highlighted in detail, mainly thanks to the exclusive interview with Hamed Ghassemi, who shared his experience and perspective.
Hamed Ghassemi Was Not at Home When His Mother Was Abducted
Son of Hamid and Tahereh Ghassemi, Hamed was born and raised in Iran by his mother as his father moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in search of better opportunities. When he turned 18, his father arranged for him to relocate to the US, where he worked at his father’s car dealership firm for several years. However, the father-son relationship became strained, and he parted ways with his company. Once he earned his US citizenship, he brought his mother over to the US in 2005 and lived with her in Baton Rouge.
Although Hamed and his mother shared a loving bond, he felt his mother’s attention was too much at times. He claimed, “It was to the point that I was feeling like my mom wanted me to just like work and come and stay at the house and do nothing else.” Their relationship had grown so volatile that he even threatened to move out of the house on April 10, 2015. Thus, when Tahereh suddenly went missing on the following night, he checked with her workplace and friends. A couple of days later, he informed the police about his mother’s disappearance. At first, Hamed was deemed a person of interest in the case due to the recent tension between him and his mother.
The investigation later revealed that it was his father, Hamid, who had planned Tahereh’s death and hired three individuals, Daniel Richter, Skyler Williams, and Tyler Ashpaugh, to carry out the killing. After the woman’s remains were recovered from the wooded area in St. Helena Parish, Hamed traveled to his homeland, Iran, to bury her. While in Iran in 2015, he was reportedly arrested on allegations of becoming a Christian, as stated by his friends. By June 2016, he was released from jail and returned to Baton Rouge, only to learn that his father wanted him dead, too. Had he not been out on the fateful night, he was likely to meet his demise alongside his mother.
Hamed Ghassemi is Reportedly a Car Dealership Owner Today
After losing his mother, Hamed Ghassemi tried to get his life back on track. However, he found himself in trouble with the law again in March 2018, when he was pulled over by the authorities for speeding on I-10 near Port Allen. According to reports, police also found marijuana, cocaine, a pipe used to smoke weed, and a gun inside his vehicle. Thus, he was taken into custody for the possession of drugs and a gun. But soon enough, he seemingly paid the bail money and got himself out of the West Baton Rouge Parish jail.
The Louisiana State University graduate has been in the automobile industry, following in the footsteps of his convicted father. After working under his father’s wing at Import One as the Sales, Finance, and Operations Manager until 2006, he served as the General Manager at BR Autoplex from 2008 to 2011. As of today, he reportedly owns a car dealership in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Although he works in the same industry as his father, he claimed, “My way of doing business and his way are completely different.”
Hamed Ghassemi is Surrounded by the Love of His Wife and Friends
On the personal front, Hamed reunited with an Iranian woman named Behnoosh, someone he had known from his childhood. On April 2, 2022, the two tied the knot in a beautiful and intimate ceremony in the warm presence of their loved ones. Nicknamed Behi, his wife has showered him with love and support over the years and continues to do so. Leading a fulfilling life in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the two are parents to a furry little baby named Barfi, whom they consider an integral member of their family.
Hamed and Behi love celebrating all kinds of festivals, including Halloween and Christmas. They usually dress up and enjoy the festivities enthusiastically. Since both are outdoorsy in nature, they also regularly travel to unexplored places and spend quality time together. Having made many friends over the years, they love to meet them at a bar or restaurant and catch up every once in a while. In fact, in March 2025, the couple was joined by some of their friends on a trip to Clark Creek Natural Area in Woodville, Mississippi. From what we can tell, Hamed and Behi are looking forward to becoming parents in the near future and completing their family.
Read More: Hamid Ghassemi: What Happened to Tahereh Ghassemi’s Husband?
