Kevin Mirshahi, a well-known crypto influencer from Montreal, who was abducted in June, has been found dead in a Montreal park. A passerby discovered the 25-year-old’s remains on October 30 in Île-de-la-Visitation Park. An autopsy later confirmed Mirshahi’s identity, and Montreal police have now launched a full investigation to uncover the details surrounding his death.
Mirshahi was last seen on June 21 when he and three others were abducted from a Montreal condo. While the other three managed to escape, Mirshahi’s whereabouts remained unknown until now. The discovery of his body months later has shocked both the crypto community and local residents.
Ongoing Investigation into Mirshahi’s Death Authorities have arrested Joanie Lepage, 32, who faces a first-degree murder charge related to the case. It remains unclear if Lepage had any direct ties to Mirshahi’s private crypto investment firm, Crypto Paradise Island. Mirshahi, a controversial figure within Montreal’s crypto circles, had previously faced legal issues with Québec’s securities regulator, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers, which banned him and two associates from working as brokers or investment advisers in 2021. This restriction also extended to his social media activity and added to the mystery surrounding his business activities and possible motives behind the abduction.
In the crypto community, Mirshahi faced allegations of misconduct, with one social media user claiming to have been scammed by him. These allegations add another complex layer as investigators explore potential motives behind his tragic death.
A Series of Crypto-Related Crimes Mirshahi’s case is not the only high-profile crime in the crypto world this year. In July, a Bitcoiner was murdered in Ukraine, and more recently, Dean Skurka, the Canadian CEO of WonderFi, narrowly escaped a kidnapping after being forced to pay a $1 million ransom. These incidents highlight the risks faced by some high-profile figures in the crypto space, especially as the industry grapples with challenges such as phishing attacks, kidnappings, and other security threats.
Mirshahi’s case also underscores the growing importance of personal safety within the cryptocurrency industry. Since 2021, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has retrieved billions of dollars in extorted cryptocurrency and disrupted numerous ransomware attacks targeting both private entities and government agencies. However, crypto users worldwide continue to face significant risks from phishing attacks and targeted crimes.
