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Montreal police have confirmed the tragic discovery of crypto influencer Kevin Mirshahi’s body in the Île-de-la-Visitation park on October 30. According to the Montreal Gazette, Mirshahi’s disappearance dates back to June 21 when he was abducted along with three others from a condominium in Montreal. Although the other three victims were located shortly after, Mirshahi remained missing for months, prompting a lengthy investigation.
In August, Montreal authorities charged 32-year-old Joanie Lepage with first-degree murder in connection with Mirshahi’s death, as well as the abductions of the other individuals. However, it remains uncertain if Lepage’s actions were tied to Mirshahi’s cryptocurrency activities.
Mirshahi, 25, operated a cryptocurrency investment platform called Crypto Paradise Island, a private Telegram group where he advised users on digital asset investments. His group, with approximately 2,300 members—many between 16 and 20 years old—was later entangled in a “pump-and-dump” scheme involving a cryptocurrency token known as Marsan ($MRS). Created by Antoine Marsan and Bastien Francoeur under their firm Marsan Exchange, the token’s value surged to CAD $5.14 ($3.67) shortly after its launch on April 14, 2021, before collapsing just days later to CAD $0.39. Mirshahi had reportedly been compensated in Marsan tokens for his promotion, which drew widespread criticism as many investors lost significant sums.
Due to these activities, Mirshahi and his platform were under investigation by Quebec’s Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the province’s securities regulator, since 2021. The AMF had imposed restrictions on him, banning him from performing brokerage or advisory activities and ordering the removal of certain social media posts. Despite the ban, Mirshahi reportedly continued operating under a Telegram group using the alias “Amir,” promoting crypto ventures.
The confirmation of Mirshahi’s death came just days after another high-profile crypto-related abduction in Canada. In Toronto, WonderFi CEO Dean Skurka was kidnapped, and a ransom of nearly $720,660 was demanded for his release. Fortunately, Skurka was released after paying the ransom.
As the investigation into Mirshahi’s death and his controversial crypto dealings continues, the case adds to Kevin Mirshahi troubling pattern of crime within the cryptocurrency industry, raising further concerns about investor protection in an increasingly volatile market.