Months after his alleged kidnapping, a bystander in Montreal’s Île-de-la-Visitation Park discovered the body of well-known cryptocurrency influencer Kevin Mirshahi. A bystander made the discovery on October 30, ending a months-long hunt that began after his abduction in June. Later, Montreal officials verified the remains as Mirshahi’s through an autopsy.
On June 21, police seized Mirshahi, 25, and three other individuals from his Montreal condo, all of whom turned out to be safe. His unusual absence prompted a police inquiry. His case adds to the growing list of incidents, such as abductions and ransom demands, where criminal activity has targeted Bitcoin figures.
In connection with Mirshahi’s death, authorities charged 32-year-old Joanie Lepage with first-degree murder after her arrest in August. We still don’t know if the claimed motivation had anything to do with Mirshahi’s financial activities.
Managing a Telegram-based investment group known as “Crypto Paradise Island,” Mirshahi has developed a following in Montreal’s crypto scene. Still, he was investigated by Quebec’s financial authorities. Following allegations of running a “pump-and-drop” operation involving a crypto token, MRS, the Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) barred Mirshahi from working as an investment adviser or broker in 2021. Mirshahi allegedly kept on running under a pseudonym, breaking rules despite these restrictions.
The kidnapping and subsequent killing of him aligns with a troubling trend that increasingly targets influencers and crypto leaders for violent acts. Recent events in Canada, including the claimed kidnapping of WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka, point to a growing escalating shift in the crypto realm from online fraud to physical threats and violence.
The continuous research aims to uncover, if any, links between Mirshahi’s financial activity and his early death. His narrative reminds us soberly of the dangers connected with the high-stakes world of cryptocurrencies.
