Christmas Horror: Man in Santa Suit Kills Family in Grapevine Massacre
Texas – The quiet town of Grapevine, Texas—dubbed the Christmas Capital of Texas for its annual holiday celebrations—became the scene of a horrifying tragedy on Christmas morning in 2011. Aziz Yazdanpanah, a 56-year-old Iranian-born father, killed six members of his family before taking his own life, transforming a festive holiday gathering into the deadliest crime in the city’s history.
A Holiday Gathering Turns Deadly
The Yazdanpanah family had gathered to celebrate Christmas at an apartment in the Dallas suburb when Aziz, dressed as Santa Claus, opened fire. Just minutes before the massacre, his 22-year-old niece, Sara Fatemeh Zarei, texted her boyfriend:
“Soo we’re here. We just got here and my uncle is here too. Dressed as Santa. Awesome,” she wrote at 11 a.m. Fifteen minutes later, she added, “Now he wants to be all fatherly and win father of the year.”
By 11:34 a.m., Yazdanpanah had killed his estranged wife, Fatemeh Rahmati, 55; their two children, Nona, 19, and Ali, 14; his wife’s sister, Zohreh Rahmaty, 58; her husband, Mohamad Hossein Zarei, 59; and their daughter, Sara.
Amid the chaos, Yazdanpanah called 911, saying, “Help. I am shooting people,” before the call abruptly ended. When police arrived three minutes later, they found seven bodies amid scattered wrapping paper and unwrapped Christmas gifts.
Details of the Massacre
A medical examiner later revealed that Yazdanpanah’s wife was shot once in the head, while his brother-in-law was shot multiple times in the head, chest, and stomach. His children, niece, and sister-in-law each sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
Two handguns were recovered at the scene: a 9mm pistol registered to Yazdanpanah and a .40 caliber weapon. Investigators concluded that Yazdanpanah fired both guns and attempted to stage the scene by placing one weapon in his brother-in-law’s hand.
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Underlying Motives
Authorities believe marital discord and financial struggles fueled the horrific crime. Yazdanpanah, once a real estate professional, was unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. In 2010, he and his wife filed for bankruptcy. Friends revealed that Yazdanpanah had previously forbidden Rahmati from working, but as financial pressures mounted, she took jobs at two spas while raising their children.
Rahmati moved out of their family home in April 2011, leaving Yazdanpanah behind in a residence that often lacked electricity. According to a family friend, Yazdanpanah resented his wife’s sister, Zohreh, whom he believed had undue influence over his wife and children.
“They denied him his pride,” the friend stated. “They took his family away.”
A Shocking 911 Call
The 911 recording captures Yazdanpanah’s chilling admission: “I am shooting people.” Police later described the scene as overwhelming, with one victim still in pajamas and a television playing in the background.
Sgt. Robert Eberling of the Grapevine Police Department called the incident the city’s worst homicide.
Legacy of Tragedy
The Christmas morning massacre stunned the community and left friends and relatives of the victims grieving during what should have been a time of celebration. One friend of Rahmati described her as a hardworking mother who had done her best to provide for her children despite challenging circumstances.
The horrific event serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved conflict and financial despair, leaving Grapevine forever scarred by its darkest Christmas.
