SNAPPED: Women Who Murder
Episode Title: Tikisha Upshaw
Original Air Date: August 31, 2025
Podcast by: Oxygen
Overview:
This episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder examines the complex and ultimately deadly conflict between business partners Adan Khatami and Takisha Upshaw, set against the backdrop of California’s newly legalized cannabis industry. What began as an ambitious venture to open a dispensary in San Francisco devolved into suspicion, betrayal, and murder—a plot orchestrated for greed and control but ending in senseless tragedy. The episode unravels the investigation, following detectives as they trace a trail of evidence from a brazen daytime shooting to its masterminds.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Crime: A Daylight Ambush
- 01:35–03:53 The episode opens with the murder of Adan Khatami, a 38-year-old father, shot dead in his truck during daylight at a busy Hayward, California intersection.
- Multiple witnesses report the shooter, later identified as Johnny Wright, fled the scene.
"He was in the driver's seat and he was slumped forward. He had a gunshot wound to his side."
— Detective/Interviewer (03:38)
2. Victim Background: Ambition and Family
-
05:16–08:54 Adan is portrayed as a driven, loving father, successful from a young age, with entrepreneurial ventures in real estate and ultimately, cannabis.
"From a young age he always pushed himself to like, strive to be more and strive to be better."
— Family Member (05:47) -
He was dedicated to his children, with amicable relationships with both mothers of his children.
3. Business Opportunity Turns Sour
- 09:04–10:03, 26:16–32:06 Adan’s ambitions led him to the booming cannabis industry, where he partnered with Takisha Upshaw to open Green God's Compassion dispensary. Initial excitement gave way to tension and distrust.
"When Adhan and Kesha started this venture, he was the sole owner. At some later point in time, he put her name on the business, but then she wanted more."
— Family Member (30:47)
4. The Investigation: Random Act or Calculated Plan?
- 11:00–12:21, 18:42–21:04 Swift arrests are made: Johnny Wright, identified by witnesses, and his girlfriend, Chariot Burks, who drove the getaway car. However, detectives can’t discern any link between Adan and his assailants—suggesting the attack isn’t random.
"What in the world does this guy have to do with this guy? Adan Katami? There's no identifiable connection between the two of them."
— Case Analyst/Reporter (16:16)
5. Business Conflicts as Motive
-
26:09–32:13 Police and family consider the ongoing business dispute with Takisha Upshaw.
"He felt, I think he was being sort of iced out."
— Case Analyst/Reporter (31:09) -
Adan demanded to be bought out for $1 million as tensions peaked.
6. Connecting the Hit: Burners, Cell Towers, and Middlemen
- 32:47–38:04 Investigators uncover that Johnny Wright used a burner phone, which connected frequently near Takisha’s house. Wesley Brown, a friend of Takisha’s, is revealed as a facilitator, linking the burner phone to both the shooter and Takisha.
"It became obvious that this burner phone was making calls from where Tekesha Upshaw lived in the Bay Area."
— Case Analyst/Reporter (33:27)
7. Surveillance and Arrests
-
38:04–39:05 Surveillance and cell records clinch probable cause, leading to the arrest of Takisha and Wesley.
"When Takesha was arrested, we obviously formed a search warrant at her house. In the basement of her home was sophisticated indoor marijuana grow."
— Supporting Investigator/Officer (38:22) -
Takisha and Wesley are placed in adjoining jail cells, where Takisha urges silence.
"She says, don't say anything. I'll get us both great attorneys."
— Supporting Investigator/Officer (40:07)
8. Courtroom and Aftermath: Trial, Conviction, and Fallout
-
41:25–45:19 Takisha faces trial for premeditated murder, with phone records and business motives as primary evidence.
"Ms. Upshaw was convicted of first degree murder with an enhancement that she did for financial gain. Ms. Upshaw was sentenced to life in prison."
— Case Analyst/Reporter (45:05) -
The dispenser permit was denied days after the murder, rendering the motive tragically futile.
"She had Adan killed over a business that was worth nothing."
— Case Analyst/Reporter (41:13, again at 43:54) -
Co-conspirators: Johnny Wright took a plea deal (50 years to life), Chariot Burks was convicted as an accessory and later released, and charges against Wesley Brown were dropped for lack of evidence.
9. Impact on Family and Community
- 45:45–45:58 The episode closes with heartfelt reflections from Adan’s family, grieving the senseless loss.
"Adhan was taken from his family, from his children, from his friends, his community. For what? There was nothing to gain by it at all."
— Family Member (45:45) "It just changed our lives, like in such a big way and it was just so unnecessary."
— Family Member (45:58)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
The Unusual Suspect
- 15:02
"He asked if we had the death penalty and if there was a district attorney present that could essentially write up a plea agreement at that time where he would go straight to death row because he didn't want to spend a lot of time in prison..."
— Detective/Interviewer
The Motive for Murder
- 43:04
"The drive to commit a crime like this comes back to, you know, your deadly sins, greed, convincing yourself that you're gonna have this successful business and not wanting to share it with anybody."
— Case Analyst/Reporter
Futility of the Killing
- 43:54
"The planning Commission ended up ruling 70 against opening this dispensary ...The toughest part about this whole case is the fact that she had Adan killed over a business that was worth nothing."
— Case Analyst/Reporter
Important Timestamps for Major Segments:
- 01:35 — The crime occurs: Adan Khatami is shot.
- 03:53 — Victim is identified.
- 09:04 — Introduction to Adan’s cannabis business aspirations.
- 13:23 — Arrest of Johnny Wright.
- 17:13 — Questioning of Chariot Burks.
- 26:16 — Investigators focus on business disputes as potential motive.
- 29:20–30:10 — How Adan and Takisha’s partnership formed.
- 31:57 — Adan’s demand for a buyout; partnership collapse.
- 32:47 — Burner phone evidence surfaces.
- 38:22 — Arrest of Takisha Upshaw and search of her property.
- 40:30 — Charges announced; Takisha, Wesley, Johnny, and Chariot’s different roles and outcomes.
- 43:42–43:54 — The murder’s tragic futility revealed: business permit denied.
- 45:05 — Conviction and sentencing of Takisha Upshaw.
- 45:45 — Family’s closing reflections.
Tone & Presentation
The episode blends methodical detective narration, firsthand interviews with family and friends, and expert analysis, balancing emotional gravity with investigative rigor. It highlights both procedural tenacity and the profound personal loss caused by the crime.
This summary provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the case, episode arc, pivotal revelations, and the emotional impact of Adan Khatami’s murder—unraveling how ambition, distrust, and greed led to a murder with nothing to gain.