Los Angeles County prosecutors have dropped kidnapping and false imprisonment charges against Mouayed Mansour, the former boyfriend of Amelia Salehpour, as the investigation into her 2022 death shifts toward a potential homicide case. The decision comes after years of advocacy from the Salehpours, who believe their 22-year-old daughter was murdered, despite initial findings by police that pointed to an accidental overdose.
Amelia Salehpour was found dead in her venice apartment in April 2022. The Los Angeles Police Department initially classified her death as an accidental overdose. Though, the Salehpours have consistently maintained that Mansour was responsible for their daughter’s death, alleging a pattern of coercive control and violence during their relationship.
Mansour was initially charged with kidnapping and false imprisonment related to an incident weeks before Amelia’s death, where she allegedly was held against her will. “The evidence did not support the allegations against my client,” said Mansour’s attorney, Mark Diaz, following the dismissal of the charges. “We are grateful that the legal process ultimately reflected that.”
The case gained renewed attention after Nathan Hochman was elected District Attorney. The Salehpours recently met with Hochman and nearly two dozen members of his office, where they say Hochman expressed belief that Amelia had been killed. however,Hochman explained that pursuing a murder case at this stage would require dropping the existing charges to avoid double jeopardy issues.
“Keeping the lesser charges in place risked running afoul of state laws that forbid ‘double jeopardy’ or prosecuting a defendant twice for the same alleged crime,” the Salehpours said, recounting the D.A.’s description. They reluctantly agreed to the dismissal of the kidnapping and false imprisonment charges.
Hochman reportedly assured the Salehpours that the case would be investigated by the major crimes unit and that he would coordinate with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell. LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton, who oversaw the Valley Bureau at the time of Amelia’s death, acknowledged his extensive familiarity with the case, stating before the charges were dropped, ”Money and influence equals power,” while noting limitations on what he could discuss due to the ongoing investigation.
Ali salehpour, Amelia’s father, expressed cautious optimism, but also lingering skepticism. “I don’t know if he did that just to appease us.That’s my biggest fear,” he said. “Did he just say that to make us happy,and to shut us up?”
