Body of Crypto Influencer Found Almost Half Year After Abduction
Local reports confirm that the body of Kevin Mirshahi, a 25-year-old crypto influencer abducted in June, has been discovered in Montreal's Île-de-la-Visitation park.
Enlevé dans le Vieux-Montréal: Le corps décomposé de Kevin Mirshahi retrouvé (@MaxDelandQMI) https://t.co/YRyHvL2Zas
— Le Journal de Québec (@JdeQuebec) November 12, 2024
His decomposing remains were found by a passerby on 30 October, and an autopsy verified his identity.
Mirshahi had last been seen on 21 June, when he and three others were kidnapped from a condo in Montreal.
While the three others managed to escape, Mirshahi remained missing and was presumed dead as early as August.
The investigation continues, but police had previously arrested 32-year-old Joanie Lepage in August, charging her with Mirshahi's first-degree murder.
Owner of Crypto Paradise Island
Mirshahi, a well-known figure in Montreal's crypto community, previously ran a private investment firm called "Crypto Paradise Island.”
While it remains unconfirmed whether Joanie Lepage, charged in connection with his death, had ties to the firm, X (formerly known as Twitter) user "Bibi" claimed to have been scammed by Mirshahi, with others echoing similar allegations.
He tried to scam me again after that saying I needed to buy a new one 💀 trow another 2.5 USD. Find out him and the person that robbed so many people in the city back in 2022 with the MRS token is the same person
— Bibi (@bibizyatitiz) June 24, 2024
Was it a work of revenge or something completely unrelated?
"Crypto influencer" Kevin Mirshahi was being investigated by Quebec’s investment regulator and had been blocked from operating as a broker or investment advisor. Sounds like he scammed the wrong person and they took justice into their own hands...https://t.co/xudz9tVCl4
— Jameson Lopp (@lopp) November 13, 2024
In 2021, Québec's financial regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF), banned Mirshahi and two associates from performing brokerage or advisory activities and from engaging in securities transactions.
They were also ordered to cease related social media posts.
Notably, on 4 July—just two weeks after his abduction—the AMF extended this prohibition.
CANADIAN CRYPTO INFLUENCER FOUND DEAD IN MONTREAL PARK AFTER JUNE ABDUCTION
- Kevin Mirshahi, a Canadian crypto influencer who went missing after his abduction in June, has been found dead.
- His body was discovered on October 30 in Montreal’s Île-de-la-Visitation park,… https://t.co/0nzOat8b5G pic.twitter.com/QRmEqx1dCZ
— BSCN (@BSCNews) November 14, 2024
Crypto Abductions on the Rise, Some End Up Dead
This incident highlights a troubling trend of abductions and attacks on crypto executives and influencers, frequently driven by attempts to steal or recover significant sums.
Just last week, reports emerged of Dean Skurka, CEO of Canada-based WonderFi, being kidnapped and forced to pay a $1 million ransom to secure his release.
