Man dresses as Santa Claus, visits ex, kills entire family

On Christmas morning in 2011, Grapevine, Texas, known for its festive spirit, witnessed a horrific murder-suicide that left the community in shock. Aziz Yazdanpanah, a 56-year-old Iranian-born man, arrived at his estranged wife’s apartment dressed as Santa Claus and carried out a massacre, killing six family members before taking his own life.

The Incident
Aziz showed up uninvited at his wife Fatemeh Rahmati’s Christmas gathering. His niece texted her boyfriend about Aziz’s unsettling presence, writing, “Now he wants to be all fatherly and win father of the year.” Within 20 minutes, Aziz opened fire, killing Fatemeh (55), their children Ali (14) and Nona (19), his wife’s sister Zohreh Rahmaty (58), her husband Mohamad Hossein Zarei (59), and their daughter Sahra (22). Aziz called 911, admitting to the killings before shooting himself.

The Aftermath
When police arrived, they found the victims amidst Christmas gifts, with two handguns at the scene. Aziz attempted to stage the scene by placing a gun in his brother-in-law’s hand. Financial struggles, marital discord, and a belief that his wife’s family influenced her against him were cited as possible motives.

This tragic event remains Grapevine’s deadliest crime, casting a shadow over a community renowned for its holiday celebrations.

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