Daughter in alleged honor killings appears in court
By Brian Rogers, Legal Affairs Reporter, Houston ChronicleUpdated
On Jan. 15, 2012, the Houston community was rocked by the mysterious murder of Iranian activist and M.D. Anderson student Gelareh Bagherzadeh. We've compiled every photo related to her case, including the suspects who would be identified three years later.Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Nadia Irsan, who is accused of stalking her sister, her sister's husband, and her best friend, whom were gunned down in 2013, appears in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Nadia Irsan, who is accused of stalking her sister, her sister's husband, and her best friend, whom were gunned down in 2013, appears in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Prosecutor points to Nadia Irsan, who is accused of stalking her sister, her sister's husband, and her best friend, whom were gunned down in 2013, appears in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Nadia Irsan and her defense attorney while she appears before Judge Jan Krocker in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Nadia Irsan, who is accused of stalking her sister, her sister's husband, and her best friend, whom were gunned down in 2013, appears in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 5, 2015:
Nadia Irsan, who is accused of stalking her sister, her sister's husband, and her best friend, whom were gunned down in 2013, appears in the 184th State District Court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
May 1, 2015:
Shmou Ali Alrawabdeh appears in the 184th state District court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
May 1, 2015:
Shmou Ali Alrawabdeh appears in the 184th state District court at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse in Houston.
Cody Duty/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, confers with his attorney John Floyd.
Karen Warren/Staff
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, chats with his federal attorney John Floyd, as he appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared before Judge Jan Krocker in the 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared before Judge Jan Krocker in the 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared before Judge Jan Krocker in the 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court on in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, is brought into the 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
April 30, 2015:
Ali Mahwood-Awad Irsan, 57, who is accused of gunning down an Iranian medical student, Gelareh Bagherzadeh in January 2012, chats with his federal attorney John Floyd, as he appeared in 184th state District court in Houston.
Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle
Nov. 13, 2009:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh during a protest outside the Islamic Education Center Friday in Houston.
Nov. 13, 2009:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh during a protest outside the Islamic Education Center Friday in Houston.
( James Nielsen / Chronicle )
Nov. 13, 2009:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh during a protest outside the Islamic Education Center Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, in Houston.
James Nielsen/wire
Nov. 13, 2009:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh during a protest outside the Islamic Education Center Friday in Houston.
James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle
Undated:
People gather at the Water Wall near the Galleria in vigil for Gelareh Bagherzadeh, who was killed Monday, Jan. 16, 2012, in Houston. The 30-year-old female student at the Texas Medical Center was found shot to death in a car at a residence in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill near the Galleria early Monday morning.
Melissa Phillip/Houston Chronicle
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was of Iranian descent and was very active in promoting Iranian women's rights, Houston Police Department spokesman Victor Senties said Bagherzadeh was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 12:30 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department.
Jason Witmer
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was of Iranian descent and was very active in promoting Iranian women's rights, Houston Police Department spokesman Victor Senties said Bagherzadeh was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 12:30 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department.
Jason Witmer
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was of Iranian descent and was very active in promoting Iranian women's rights, Houston Police Department spokesman Victor Senties said Bagherzadeh was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 12:30 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department.
Houston Chronicle
Undated:
Handout photo of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Houston. The reward for any information leading to an arrest is up to $200,000, the highest amount in Crime Stoppers history. Bagherzadeh was murdered on Jan. 15, 2012.
Nick de la Torre/Staff
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh was slain at her parents' condo complex in January 2012. Eleven months later, 28-year-old Coty Beavers was killed.
Jan. 18, 2012:
Ebrahim Bagherzadeh, 67, left, father of Gelareh Bagherzadeh walks with family members outside of Crime Stoppers offices after a press conference where the family was pleading for information into the murder of Gelareh in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Sgt. Padilla said the department had been frustrated because there were few leads and no suspects related to the incident. He said officials were coordinating with the FBI because of the international undertones of some of her more controversial positions. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
HPD Sgt. J.C. Padilla, left, talks with Ebrahim Bagherzadeh, 67, right, father of Gelareh Bagherzadeh outside of Crime Stoppers offices after a press conference where HPD and the family is looking for information into the murder of Gelareh in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Sgt. Padilla said the department had been frustrated because there were few leads and no suspects related to the incident. He said officials were coordinating with the FBI because of the international undertones of some of her more controversial positions. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
Ebrahim Bagherzadeh, 67, center, father of Gelareh Bagherzadeh walks with family members outside of Crime Stoppers offices after a press conference where the family was pleading for information into the murder of Gelareh in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Sgt. Padilla said the department had been frustrated because there were few leads and no suspects related to the incident. He said officials were coordinating with the FBI because of the international undertones of some of her more controversial positions. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
Ali Bagherzadeh, 27, left, younger brother of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, wipes tears from his eyes as he speaks to the media during a press conference next to his brother Kaveh Bagherzadeh, 38, and mother Monireh Zangeneh, 58, at Crime Stoppers offices pleading for information about her murder Wednesday in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Ali Bagherzadeh, 27, called on anyone with information about the death of his sister, 30-year-old Gelareh Bagherzadeh, to call the hotline and submit an anonymous tip. "She was the only close person that I had," he said.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
Kaveh Bagherzadeh, 38, and Monireh Zangeneh, 58, brother and mother of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, listen to HPD Sgt. J.C. Padilla speak to the media during a press conference at Crime Stoppers offices looking for help from the public for information about her murder Wednesday in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Sgt. Padilla said the department had been frustrated because there were few leads and no suspects related to the incident. He said officials were coordinating with the FBI because of the international undertones of some of her more controversial positions. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
HPD senior officer Richard Bolton stands next to a picture of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, during a press conference where family members plead for information about her murder at Crime Stoppers offices in Houston. Bagherzadeh was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
Jan. 18, 2012:
Kaveh Bagherzadeh, 38, and Monireh Zangeneh, 58, brother and mother of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, walk into a press conference at Crime Stoppers offices where family members plead for information about her murder in Houston. Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, was shot in the 800 block of Augusta near Sugar Hill about 11:40 p.m. Sunday according to the Houston Police Department. Bagherzadeh, of Iranian decent, was studying molecular genetic technology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She was also very active in promoting Iranian women's rights. Ali Bagherzadeh, 27, called on anyone with information about the death of his sister, 30-year-old Gelareh Bagherzadeh, to call the hotline and submit an anonymous tip. "She was the only close person that I had," he said. Anonymous information can be left at 713-222-TIPS.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
May 15, 2012:
A reporter takes a picture of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, 30, where family members pleaded for information about her murder at Crime Stoppers offices Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012, in Houston.
Johnny Hanson/Houston Chronicle
May 15, 2012:
Monireh Bagherzadeh cries as HPD Sgt. J.C. Padilla answers questions for the media concerning the murder of her daughter Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Houston. The reward for any information leading to an arrest is up to $200,000, the highest amount in Crime Stoppers history.
Nick de la Torre/Houston Chronicle
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh's mother, Monireh Zangeneh, second from left, cries at the vigil for her daughter at the Williams Waterwall on Post Oak on June 26.
James Nielsen
Undated:
Gelareh Bagherzadeh's mother, Monireh Zangeneh, second from left, cries at the vigil for her daughter at the Williams Waterwall on Post Oak on June 26.
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle
May 22, 2014:
Law enforcement officers investigate the scene in rural Montgomery County where the FBI arrested the alleged killer of Gelareh Bagherzadeh in Conroe. Bagherzadeh was shot to death outside her Galleria area town home in January of 2012.
Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle
Undated:
Federal authorities on Thursday searched the southeast Montgomery County home of Ali Mahmood-Awad Irsan, who's accused of killing Iranian student Gelareh Bagherzadeh.
Scott Engle
Undated:
Federal authorities on Thursday searched the southeast Montgomery County home of Ali Mahmood-Awad Irsan, who's accused of killing Iranian student Gelareh Bagherzadeh.
Scott Engle/Montgomery County Police Reporter
Undated:
Federal authorities on Thursday searched the southeast Montgomery County home of Ali Mahmood-Awad Irsan, who's accused of killing Iranian student Gelareh Bagherzadeh.
Scott Engle/Montgomery County Police Reporter
Nadia Irsan, part of a Montgomery County family accused in two fatal shootings in 2012, appeared in court Tuesday on felony charges that she stalked her sister, with a gun, for more than a year leading up to the shootings.
The 30-year-old appeared in an orange jail uniform, black head covering, handcuffs and leg irons, in state District Judge Jan Krocker's court.
Nadia Irsan is charged in the case where her father, Ali Mahwood-Awad and his wife and adult son, are accused of gunning down his daughter's husband and her best friend, Gelareh Bagherzadeh, in shootings months apart.
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Ali Irsan blamed Bagherzadeh for leading his daughter astray.
Nadia Irsan is accused of putting a GPS tracker on her sister's car and driving, on a daily basis, to the apartment where her sister and husband, Coty Beavers, lived. Those trips continued until the day Beavers was gunned down in the Harris County apartment in November 2012.
Prosecutor Tammy Thomas said in court that witnesses heard Nadia Irsan tell Beavers, "I can not wait until my dad puts a bullet between your eyes."
Krocker appointed two attorneys from the Harris County Public Defender's Office, Eric Davis and Jackie Carpenter, to defend Nadia Irsan.
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If convicted, Nadia Irsan faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the third-degree felony. The prosecutor also noted that the law of parties may allow the state to expand the charges if Nadia Irsan is accused of helping her father commit capital murder, which is what he is charged with. Nadia Irsan's mother is charged with murder, accused of helping Ali Irsan shoot Bagherzadeh in January 2012 through her passenger window as she drove to her parents' home.
In an earlier hearing, prosecutors said Irsan called his daughter, Nesreen Irsan, to threaten her after that shooting.
"He said, 'I killed that b----, and you're next. No one insults my honor as a Muslim and gets away with it,'" Thomas told the judge.
Nadia Irsan, like her father and mother, remains in federal custody, waiting to be sentenced in June in an unrelated case.
Brian Rogers covers Houston crime and courts. A licensed attorney who loves telling stories, Brian covers breaking news, civil and criminal trials, and the political underpinnings of criminal justice.
