Four months ago, an Iranian-born medical researcher was gunned down in her car just a few steps from her family’s home in Texas. The murder remains unsolved and the motive is still a mystery.
Hoping to bring the investigation to a successful conclusion, the Crime Stoppers chapter of Houston announced the largest cash reward for any case in the organization's history, offering $200,000 for "information that leads to an arrest or the filing of felony charges" in the alleged murder of Gelareh Bagherzadeh, according to a statement released Tuesday.
"The Houston Police Department is still actively and aggressively pursuing this investigation," said JC Padilla of the department's homicide division. "We hope that this significant amount will help us get the general public's support."
The 30-year-old Bagherzadeh, who also volunteered her time as a human-rights activist, died on Jan. 15.
According to an Associated Press report published five days later, "The fatal shooting remains surrounded by mystery in part because nothing was taken from the vehicle, though authorities haven't ruled out the possibility it could have been a botched robbery. They also haven't found any evidence suggesting she was targeted for her nationality or activism."
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppers.org. Tips can also be sent in a text message by sending TIP610 plus the information to to CRIMES (274637).