The widow of a Los Angeles doctor who was killed in an “ambush-style attack” outside his addiction treatment center last year has filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife, who is accused of orchestrating the murder, according to authorities.
On July 21, Ghazal Simorgh and her 1-year-old daughter with the late Dr. Hamid Mirshojae, 61, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ahang Mirshojae, 53, along with four others. The suit includes claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress, survival claims, and fraudulent asset transfers, KTLA 5 reports.
Simorgh’s legal team says the lawsuit is meant to protect assets they believe were hidden or moved by Ahang Mirshojae. “We also believe there’s currently, in the past year, some movement of the assets that’s going on right now,” attorney Arya Tahmassebi said during a press conference on Aug. 25, NBC4 reports and ABC 7 adds.
Dr. Mirshojae was gunned down on Aug. 23, 2024, as he was leaving his practice, Detox Woodland Hills, which his website says has treated patients including celebrities and athletes seeking recovery from alcohol and opioids.
On Dec. 12, 2024, Ahang Mirshojae was arrested on suspicion of arranging the murder, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) announced in a release. Authorities said “revenge and jealousy” motivated her to order the attack.
Two men — Evan Hardman, 41, and Sarallah Jawed, 26 — were arrested and charged with murder with special circumstances. Another suspect, Ashley Rose Sweeting, 40, was charged with accessory to murder.
“The [LAPD’s] investigation revealed that these five persons conspired to commit murder, culminating in the ambush and subsequent demise of Doctor Mirshojae,” authorities said.
According to the LAPD, the doctor was walking toward his car when a masked gunman emerged from hiding, ran toward him, and opened fire before fleeing.
At the press conference, Simorgh broke down while speaking about her husband. “It’s not fair for my 1-year-old baby to lose her dad at a very young age,” she said, NBC4 reports.
All defendants have pleaded not guilty and are awaiting trial. Their attorneys have not responded to requests for comment.
