Gushiken Yona
A grim discovery in a Montreal park brings a tragic end to the search for abducted crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi. Months after his disappearance, authorities confirmed the worst, marking a somber turn in the investigation.
Mirshahi’s decomposing remains were found by a passerby at Île-de-la-Visitation park on October 30. Montreal police confirmed the identification through an autopsy, concluding the agonizing search for the 25-year-old.
His disappearance began with a harrowing quadruple kidnapping in Old Montreal on June 21. La Presse reported that Mirshahi and three companions were abducted from the underground parking lot of his condo building in the early morning hours.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene with vehicles speeding away, later found burned in Laval—a potential attempt to destroy evidence. While Mirshahi’s companions escaped, he remained captive, his fate unknown until the grim discovery.
The abduction followed a controversial period in Mirshahi’s life. In 2021, he became embroiled in a scandal surrounding the cryptocurrency “MRS,” which he aggressively promoted alongside its creator, Antoine Marsan. La Presse revealed Mirshahi’s boastful claims of using other influencers to hype the cryptocurrency, attracting thousands of investors, including minors.
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When a large investor dumped their holdings, the cryptocurrency’s value plummeted, wiping out nearly $2 million in investments and sparking outrage. This incident triggered scrutiny from Québec’s investment regulator, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
Finding the project and promotional campaign lacked regulatory approval, the AMF banned Mirshahi and Marsan from acting as brokers or investment advisors and trading securities. This ban, initially imposed in 2021, was extended weeks after Mirshahi’s abduction.
It was also reported that death threats against Mirshahi and Marsan followed the MRS debacle, leading to increased police surveillance of Mirshahi’s residence. This raises questions about whether the abduction was linked to disgruntled investors.
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In late August, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) arrested 32-year-old Joanie Lepage in connection with Mirshahi’s disappearance. A warrant issued at the Valleyfield courthouse alleges Lepage killed Mirshahi on June 21, the day of the abduction. She is also accused of kidnapping him and acting as an accomplice after his death. The SQ confirmed the ongoing investigation, but the precise motive remains unclear.
The arrest of Lepage provided some answers, but crucial questions linger. Investigators are working to uncover the full story behind Mirshahi’s abduction and murder, exploring links to his crypto dealings.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by prominent figures in the cryptocurrency world, where fortunes change rapidly, and the pursuit of digital riches can have deadly consequences. The crypto community awaits answers, seeking justice for Mirshahi and clarity surrounding his untimely death.
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YONA GUSHIKEN
Yona brings a decade of experience covering gaming, tech, and blockchain news. As one of the few women in crypto journalism, her mission is to demystify complex technical subjects for a wider audience. Her work blends professional insight with engaging narratives, aiming to educate and entertain.
