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The decomposing remains of Kevin Mirshahi, a Montreal-based cryptocurrency influencer, were discovered in Île-de-la-Visitation park on October 30, five months after his reported abduction.
Montreal police confirmed the identity through an autopsy, and local news outlet The Gazette reported the discovery on November 13. Mirshahi, who went missing in June, was one of four individuals kidnapped from a condo in Montreal. While the others escaped, Mirshahi remained unaccounted for until recently.
At the time of his disappearance, Mirshahi ran a cryptocurrency investment firm known as Crypto Paradise Island. His operations had been flagged by Québec’s investment regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), for allegedly violating regulations on investment activities. In 2021, the AMF banned Mirshahi from offering investment advice or engaging in securities transactions and ordered him to halt related online promotions.
Mirshahi’s involvement in the controversial Marsan token promotion further escalated regulatory scrutiny. He had promoted the token, created by Marsan Exchange, through Crypto Paradise Island’s Telegram group. Shortly after Marsan’s launch in April 2021, two large token holders cashed out, leading to a significant value collapse. This incident reportedly led to substantial financial losses for young investors who participated in the pump-and-dump scheme, intensifying AMF’s regulatory actions against Mirshahi.
In August, Montreal police arrested 32-year-old Joanie Lepage, charging her with the first-degree murder of Mirshahi and the abduction of three other individuals. However, it remains unclear if her actions were directly tied to Mirshahi’s cryptocurrency business or other personal motives. Law enforcement agencies have kept on trying to find out how Mirshahi was abducted and killed, especially concerning his business dealings.
The case regarding Mirshahi’s death is one of the emerging cases of criminal activities directed towards cryptocurrency managers and key personalities. Only days before the discovery of M.irshahi’s body, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was kidnapped in Toronto and managed to free himself only after paying a ransom.
Crimes against crypto personalities have escalated, and 18 such incidents were recorded this year, as cited by Jameson Lopp, Casa co-founder and Chief Security Officer. More such cases are apparent and sensitive to the individuals participating in the cryptocurrency business and need proper measures and precautions.
