IRVINE : Sad Holiday: Family Mourns Killing, Arrest

It was supposed to be a time for family and friends to gather in celebration of the Iranian New Year. Instead, the Haghighi family spent Sunday mourning a mother’s death and the arrest of her son on suspicion of murder.

Afshin Haghighi, 22, is being held for psychiatric evaluation after being arrested Saturday in the bludgeoning of his mother, Zahra Haghighi, 54, of Irvine, an Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesman said.

Her body was found early Saturday morning behind a garbage bin at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, the spokesman said.

A family friend said Sunday that Afshin Haghighi was having emotional problems earlier in the week and then disappeared for three days before police found him and returned him to his parents.

“He came home and then (left), this time with his mother,” said Bijan Sajadi, who described himself as a close family friend. “I don’t think anyone can explain what happened.”

Sajadi said the tragedy struck just as the Haghighis were celebrating the Iranian New Year.

“What can I say except we are torn apart?” Sajadi said. “We cannot be angry, just sad. We are all in mourning.”

Police said Afshin Haghighi was arrested Saturday during a robbery in San Diego. While being questioned, he admitted killing his mother, police said.

The case remains under investigation.