Crypto Influencer Found Dead Months After Abduction in Montreal
Unsolved kidnapping ends in murder amid rising attacks on crypto figures worldwide
Kevin Mirshahi, a prominent figure in Montreal’s cryptocurrency community, was found dead months after his shocking abduction, marking another unsettling incident in the crypto world. His decomposed remains were discovered on Oct. 30 by a passerby at Île-de-la-Visitation Park, according to police statements to The Gazette, a Montreal-based news outlet. An autopsy later confirmed his identity.
The 25-year-old influencer was last seen on June 21, when he and three others were reportedly kidnapped from a Montreal condo. While the others managed to escape, Mirshahi did not. His death is part of a disturbing trend of violence targeting crypto executives and influencers, often driven by money-related motives.
The case has intensified following recent incidents, including the abduction of Dean Skurka, CEO of Canada’s WonderFi, who paid a $1 million ransom for his release just last week. Mirshahi’s death, however, remains under investigation. In August, police arrested Joanie Lepage, a 32-year-old woman now facing charges of first-degree murder in connection with Mirshahi's case.
Mirshahi previously ran a private crypto investment firm called Crypto Paradise Island. While his death leaves unanswered questions, his history in Montreal’s crypto circles drew mixed opinions. On social media, some claimed to have been defrauded by him, with one user alleging he had been “scammed.” He was also known to Québec’s financial regulator, which banned him from working as a broker or investment adviser in 2021 and later extended the ban after his disappearance.
The tragic end to Mirshahi’s story echoes other crypto-related kidnappings globally, adding to the growing concerns about the safety of individuals in the industry.