The body of Kevin Mirshahi, a Montreal-based crypto influencer, was discovered in Île-de-la-Visitation park on October 30, 2024, months after he was abducted from his condo. The 32-year-old was reported missing in June 2024, and his remains were found in a decomposing state by a passerby, according to local news reports. An autopsy later confirmed the body was indeed Mirshahi’s.
Key Details:
- Abduction Incident:
- Mirshahi was last seen on June 21, 2024, when he, along with three others, was abducted from his condo in Montreal.
- The three other victims managed to escape, but Mirshahi was taken and held captive for months before his body was found.
- Investigation and Arrest:
- The investigation into Mirshahi’s death is ongoing, but local authorities have already arrested a 32-year-old woman, Joanie Lepage, in connection with his murder.
- Lepage has been charged with first-degree murder, but it is not clear whether the crime is related to Mirshahi’s crypto activities.
- Crypto Community Ties:
- Mirshahi was a well-known figure in the Montreal crypto community, having previously owned and operated a private crypto investment firm called “Crypto Paradise Island.”
- His involvement in the crypto space has led some to speculate that his abduction and murder might be tied to his activities, particularly his business dealings.
- Allegations of Scams:
- Some members of the crypto community, including an X user named “Bibi,” have accused Mirshahi of being a scammer.
- It is unclear if Joanie Lepage was involved as an investor in Mirshahi’s firm, but there were online claims from others suggesting that they were defrauded by him.
- Regulatory Issues:
- Mirshahi was known to Québec’s investment regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), which banned him from conducting business as a broker or investment adviser in 2021.
- This ban was extended in July 2024, just weeks after his abduction, preventing him from posting related content on social media.
- Context of Rising Crime in Crypto Space:
- Mirshahi’s death is part of a concerning trend of abductions and murders involving individuals in the crypto industry, often motivated by financial gain or the desire to recover stolen funds.
- In recent months, there have been reports of other crypto-related crimes, such as the abduction of CEO Dean Skurka of WonderFi for a $1 million ransom in Canada, and the kidnapping and murder of a 29-year-old Bitcoiner in Ukraine, in which $170,000 worth of Bitcoin was stolen.
- International Crypto Crimes:
- This pattern of violence in the crypto space is not isolated. Earlier in the year, six Malaysian nationals were charged with kidnapping a Chinese national, demanding a ransom in stablecoin Tether worth $1 million.
Ongoing Investigation:
While the police continue their investigation into Mirshahi’s abduction and death, the case has drawn attention to the potential risks and criminal activities that can be linked to crypto investments and digital assets. The circumstances surrounding Mirshahi’s death have not yet been fully explained, and it remains unclear whether his murder was directly related to his work in crypto, or whether it stemmed from personal or financial disputes.
