Crypto influencer under Canadian investigation found dead in Montreal park

The body of Kevin Mirshahi, a crypto influencer abducted in June, has been found at Île-de-la-Visitation park in Montreal’s Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough. Reports have it that Mirshahi had been suspected dead since at least August of this year.

Crypto influencer meets death months after kidnapping

According to local media reports,  Kevin Mirshahi was abducted from a condo in June. The 25-year-old has been missing since he was abducted along with three others. The other abductees, two women and one man were located by police hours later.

According to Canadian authorities, Mirshahi owned and operated Crypto Paradise Island, an investment firm. Quebec’s investment regulator, Autorité des marchés financiers, sanctioned a probe into the firm in 2021. 

According to The Montreal Gazette, on July 4, 2024, the regulator barred Mirshahi, his firm, and two affiliated individuals from carrying out broker or investment adviser services or securities transactions and directed them to delete social media posts.

Joanie Lepage, 32, was accused in August of first-degree murder and abduction of Mirshahi and three others. It is unclear whether her actions are tied to Mirshahi’s crypto ventures.

The incident adds to a troubling trend of crypto executive and influencer kidnappings and killings. They are frequently driven by a desire to steal or recover huge amounts of money.

Last week, Dean Skurka, CEO of Canadian-based WonderFi, was allegedly kidnapped and forced to pay a $1 million ransom for his release.

Crypto Paradise Island investigations

Crypto Paradise Island was a paid-for Telegram group that provided investment advice. However, it was eventually embroiled in a pump-and-dump operation involving a token called Marsan ($MRS), which resulted in the loss of thousands of dollars for its 2,300 members, many of whom were between the ages of 16 and 20 (Le Journal de Montréal). 

Antoine Marsan and Bastien Francoeur founded Marsan Exchange, which launched the token on April 14, 2021. They paid Mirshahi in tokens to promote it.

Marsan peaked at Canadian dollar $5.14 ($3.67) three days after the opening, but on April 18, two significant holders cashed out, causing the value to plummet to $0.39.