HPD seeks tie in 2 deaths, 1 an Iranian activist

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Houston police are investigating whether there is a link between the killing of an Iranian activist nearly a year ago and the more recent shooting death of her boyfriend's twin brother.

Iranian-born Gelareh Bagherzadeh, a 30-year-old student of molecular genetics, was found shot to death inside her car near her Galleria area townhome in January. Her murder has been shrouded in mystery, though friends and family did not believe her outspoken opposition to her native country's human rights record was connected to her death.

The death of Coty Beavers, the twin brother of Bagherzadeh's boyfriend, Cory Beavers -- the last person to see her alive -- now adds to the unanswered questions.

Coty Beavers, 28, was found dead in his northwest Harris County apartment around 4:30pm Monday. Authorities say he was shot multiple times. According to officials, Beavers was last seen at 5:45am as he returned to his apartment after walking his wife to her vehicle.

Harris County Sheriff's Office spokesman Thomas Gilliland says investigators have not yet found a connection between Beavers' death and the killing of Bagherzadeh. He says they are pursuing leads.

Police have said Bagherzadeh was talking on her cell phone when she was killed. Nothing was taken from her car, and police say no evidence has been found linking her death to her background or political views, though they continue to explore that possibility.

You can read more about Bagherzadeh and the case at onlyjustice.org, a website her created by her family.

There is currently a $200,000 reward for information called in to 713-222-TIPS that leads to an arrest or filing of felony charges in the murder of Bagherzadeh. It's the largest reward in Crime Stoppers history.

There is also a $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward for information leading to an arrest and charges in Beavers' case. Anyone with information on his murder is urged to call the HCSO homicide unit at 713-967-5810 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.