MURFREESBORO, TN - Eighteen years and one month ago, the city of Murfreesboro was shaken by a senseless act of violence on Memorial Boulevard. Across from what was then Jones Carwash (now Smith Brothers), a routine closing shift at O’Charley’s turned into a nightmare when an armed intruder stormed the restaurant. The suspect fatally shot the manager, Nader Bahmanziari, stole the night’s cash receipts, and fled on foot. The harrowing ordeal, including the fatal confrontation in the manager’s office, was partially captured on a recorded 911 call.

On February 3, 2008, Murfreesboro Police arrived at the scene to find traumatized employees and a critically wounded Bahmanziari. Paramedics rushed the local father and husband to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where he tragically passed away during the early morning hours of February 4, 2008. As detectives processed the restaurant, patrol officers scoured the parking lot for clues. Their quick work led them to a vehicle that didn't belong to any staff members—a discovery that became a pivotal break in the case...

Detective James Abbott, part of the MPD team that worked the case, noted that because the car was left behind, the shooter likely fled on foot. While an initial search in the dark yielded no results, the break of dawn brought new focus to the exterior of the property. Starting near a roll of duct tape found along the back fence, investigators followed a trail of dropped cash leading to an abandoned home on North Maple Street, situated directly behind the business... Inside the house, which was undergoing renovations, investigators hit a forensic goldmine...

Detectives believe the shooter hid in the empty residence immediately following the murder. Forensic teams focused on the heavy construction dust coating the floors, which perfectly preserved shoe prints. Within 24 hours of the crime, investigators shifted back to the abandoned van, which was registered to Antonio Alexander. Further investigation led police to a dumpster where Alexander had discarded his clothing and shoes... Police recovered the items and successfully matched the shoes to the dusty prints found in the North Maple Street home.

Just three days after Bahmanziari’s death, police moved to arrest Alexander at his place of employment, International Paper on Broad Street. He was taken into custody without incident, beginning a long judicial journey. Retired Assistant District Attorney J. Paul Newman, who prosecuted the case, reflected on the verdict that ensured Alexander would never walk free again...

Nader Bahmanziari was only 41 years old when his life was taken. He is remembered as a devoted husband and active father to his two children, as well as a beloved son and brother.

In the years following the conviction, Alexander filed numerous appeals, reaching as high as the Tennessee Supreme Court. All attempts were ultimately exhausted, with the final denial issued in April 2015.

Today, Alexander remains incarcerated at the Hardeman County Correctional Facility, serving a sentence of life without parole imposed by Judge Don Ash in October 2010. Alexander recently turned 64 behind bars. Meanwhile, the Bahmanziari family prepares for a bittersweet milestone; September 29th of this year would have been Nader’s 60th birthday.

• Hear the entire podcast about the murder, hosted by retired Assistant District Attorney J. Paul Newman HERE.