The “execution-style” killing of Hamid Mirshojae was a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by the doctor’s ex-wife, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
Hochman held a press conference Monday afternoon to provide the latest on the investigation into the killing, which happened Aug. 23 as the 61-year-old was walking to his car in the parking lot outside of his clinic in Woodland Hills.
Five people have been arrested in connection with Mirshojae’s murder, including his ex-wife, 53-year-old Ahang Kelk.
On Monday, Hochman said charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon have been filed against Kelk, who is accused of hiring a hitman to kill her ex-husband in a financially motivated crime.
“The horror and betrayal of this crime are beyond words,” Hochman said in a statement released after the news conference. “The depth of the deceit and violence involved in this case is chilling, and we will not rest until justice is served.”
Kelk allegedly hired Evan Hardman, a 41-year-old resident of Tomball, Texas, to be the triggerman in her ex-husband’s slaying. Hardman was driven to and from the scene by 40-year-old Rose Sweeting of Reseda, Hochman added.
Hardman and Sweeting were the first to be arrested in connection with the killing. Three others, including Kelk, Shawn Randolph, 46, from Valley Village and Sarallah Jawed, 26, from Canoga Park, were arrested in the days that followed.
Authorities described them as a “local network of friends and acquaintances” of Kelk.
Both Jawed and Hardman face charges for murder and assault with a deadly weapon for their roles, which were also said to be financially motivated. Hochman said the two were previously hired by Kelk weeks prior to the murder to assault Mirshojae with a blunt object.
Sweeting faces charges for being an accessory to the killing and has pleaded not guilty.
Randolph was not mentioned during Monday’s press conference or ensuing statement, but jail records indicate he remains in custody without bail. Authorities later clarified that the case was sent back to police for further investigation.
Kelk pleaded not guilty to the charges at her arraignment, Hochman said. In August, she called any insinuation that she was involved in the crimes “all lies,” the L.A. Times reported.
Prosecutors are still awaiting the extradition of Hardman, who was arrested by local authorities in Texas.