- Kevin Mirshahi, missing since June, found dead in Île-de-la-Visitation Park; marks Montreal’s 32nd homicide of 2024.
- Joanie Lepage was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Mirshahi’s June abduction and subsequent death.
- Despite a regulatory ban, Mirshahi secretly promoted crypto investments, drawing scrutiny amid a pump-and-dump scandal.
Montreal police have confirmed the body discovered in Île-de-la-Visitation Park on October 30 belongs to missing crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi. Mirshahi, 25-year-old, had disappeared since his kidnapping in June. Unlike his recent high-profile involvement in cryptocurrency-related crimes, his case has raised security issues for individuals in the cryptocurrency industry.
Kevin Mirshahi’s Body Identified
A man in a car on 30th October noticed the dead decomposing body and an autopsy later identified him to be Kevin Mirshahi. He was identified on November 12 by the authorities, making it the 32nd murder in Montreal in the year. Mirshahi, who was a Montreal-based crypto influencer, went missing in Mirshahi after being kidnapped in Old Montreal on June 21.
According to the Sûreté du Québec, Mirshahi and three other individuals were reportedly taken from a condo building early that morning. Police responded to a disturbance call near de la Commune and St-Hubert Streets, but while the other three individuals were quickly located, Mirshahi remained missing.
In August, police charged Joanie Lepage, 32, of Les Cèdres, Quebec, with first-degree murder related to Mirshahi’s disappearance and death. Authorities claim that Lepage helped to hide the death, though other investigations continue the search for more evidence. The Sûreté du Québec continues investigating the case.
Mirshahi’s Cryptocurrency Ventures and Legal Troubles
Mirshahi was a well-known figure in Montreal’s cryptocurrency sector, primarily through his investment group, Crypto Paradise Island. However, his crypto dealings had attracted regulatory scrutiny from Quebec’s financial authority, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
Since 2021, the AMF has banned Mirshahi from acting as a broker, conducting securities transactions, and advising on investments. This regulatory restriction was reportedly due to his involvement in a pump-and-dump scheme involving the cryptocurrency Marsan ($MRS), which led to significant losses for young investors. Despite these restrictions, Mirshahi allegedly continued promoting cryptocurrency investments through a Telegram group under the alias “Amir.”
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The AMF reinforced its ban on Mirshahi two weeks after his disappearance in July 2024, reiterating that he must cease all promotional activities related to cryptocurrency on social media. The AMF’s ongoing investigation into Mirshahi’s activities reflects the complexities regulators face in the fast-paced crypto sector.
Rising Threats in the Crypto Community
Mirshahi’s case adds to a series of recent violent incidents targeting cryptocurrency figures. On November 6, the kidnapping of Dean Skurka, CEO of WonderFi, was investigated by Toronto police. He was abducted in Toronto and released only after paying a ransom of approximately $1 million. This trend of physical crimes has been growing globally, with numerous incidents of coercion, abduction, and physical assault involving high-profile crypto industry figures and investors.
Jameson Lopp, co-founder and Chief Security Officer of Casa, held a database that recorded 18 crypto-related attacks this year alone. These cases have ranged from home invasions and coercive demands for cryptocurrency transfers to violent robberies, often involving substantial financial stakes.
In another case, a cryptocurrency developer attending Devcon in Thailand was reportedly forced to transfer $250,000 in USDT under duress. Similarly, Rooch Network co-founder Haichao Zhu was robbed at knifepoint in Thailand. These incidents underscore the rising physical risks associated with the crypto industry, especially as digital assets gain mainstream attention and value.
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