Two more arrests have been made in the case of Kevin Mirshahi, a popular cryptocurrency influencer whose body was found in a Montreal park last month. The Quebec provincial police revealed that Darius Perry, 27, and Nackael Hickey, 25, are facing charges of kidnapping and being an accessory to Mirshahi’s alleged murder. This news comes after the initial arrest of Joanie Lepage, 32, who has been charged with first-degree murder.
Mirshahi vanished on June 21 after he and three others were taken from a luxury condo in Old Montreal. While the other victims were located near a bus stop in Montreal’s west end later that day, Mirshahi remained missing. Four months later, on October 30, his body was discovered in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough. Police believe the murder took place in a home in Les Cèdres, a town in Quebec’s Montérégie region. A burned-out SUV believed to have been used in the abduction was also found.
The 25-year-old Mirshahi was known in Montreal’s cryptocurrency community as an influencer. He operated “Crypto Paradise Island,” a private Telegram group with over 2,500 members, and was active on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat, where he promoted investment opportunities. The Autorité des Marchés Financiers, Quebec’s financial regulatory body, started investigating Mirshahi in 2021 and imposed restrictions on him and his associates, preventing them from acting as investment advisors or engaging in securities transactions. These restrictions were extended in July 2024, shortly after his disappearance, with the removal of certain social media posts required.
Authorities are working to understand how Mirshahi’s involvement in cryptocurrency and regulatory issues may have played a role in his death. The police have not disclosed a motive for the crime at this time. Mirshahi’s death marks the 32nd homicide in Montreal in 2024, according to CBC reports.
The case of Kevin Mirshahi has shocked the Montreal community, especially those involved in the cryptocurrency scene. The mysterious circumstances surrounding his abduction and murder have raised concerns about the intersection of personal life and professional dealings in the world of digital currencies. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the impact of regulatory oversight on individuals like Mirshahi will likely come under scrutiny. It serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges associated with investing and promoting cryptocurrencies in today’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.
