Ontario Police Release Photos of Suspects in Unsolved Kidnapping of Ontario Woman

Ontario Police Release Photos of Suspects in Unsolved Kidnapping of Ontario Woman
Ontario Provincial Police Det. Sergeant Jason Dinsmore provides additional information on the January 2022 abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri during a press conference in Mississauga, Ont., on Jan. 12, 2023. Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press
Marnie Cathcart
Updated:

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have released photographs of three suspects—two men and a woman—believed to be involved in an unsolved kidnapping of an Ontario woman, as well as photos of a white male “person of interest.”

Police said they believe the individuals live in the Greater Toronto Area, although the photographs were taken in Quebec. The OPP has asked for the public’s help in identifying the individuals.
Elnaz Hajtamiri, 37, who also uses the last name Tamiri, has been missing since approximately 8:32 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2022. Police said the woman was forcibly dragged from a relative’s home on Trailwood Place in Wasaga Beach, Ontario, by three men posing as police officers.

The suspects who grabbed Hajtamiri were dressed in police gear, according to the OPP, but not legitimate uniforms. They drove away in what police believe is a white Lexus RX sport utility vehicle.

Two suspects in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. (Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)
Two suspects in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police

Hajtamiri had been hiding with family members after she was repeatedly beaten with a frying pan in an underground parkade in December 2021, just a few weeks before her abduction. The woman reportedly suffered a head injury that required 40 stitches to her head.

Hajtamiri’s sister, Aysa Hajtamiri, who lives in Melbourne, Australia, said Hajtamiri was hiding because her former boyfriend had allegedly begun making threats.
The family said her vehicle had tracking devices on it when the parkade assault took place.
A suspect in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. (Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)
A suspect in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police

Her former boyfriend, 35-year-old Mohamad Lilo, was charged with abduction in relation to the woman’s January 2022 disappearance, as well as attempted murder and attempted abduction charges from the December 2021 assault.

Two other men were also charged in relation to the December parkade incident.

“We will do everything in our power as the police to locate Elnaz, identify and hold accountable those responsible for her kidnapping,” said OPP Det. Martin Graham, adding that a $100,000 reward has been offered for any information on the kidnapping.

Police are also searching for one, perhaps two, individuals of interest who rented vehicles in December 2021. They are not suspects, but police believe they may have information relevant to the case.

Two persons of interest who may have information regarding the January 2022 kidnapping/ disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. (Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)
Two persons of interest who may have information regarding the January 2022 kidnapping/ disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police

On Jan. 12, police released two composite sketches, both with suspects wearing dark jackets over fake police vests; a balaclava with white trim pulled up over their nose and mouth; a gold, red, and blue badge chained around their neck; and dark pants.

The first suspect was described as approximately six feet tall, skinny, with lighter black skin and a long narrow face. He was wearing a thick black belt with an attached handcuff pouch, and a holstered, worn, black gun with a magazine inserted.

The second suspect is 5'9” tall with lighter black skin, stocky, with skinny legs. The third suspect is a similar height, lighter coloured skin, possibly Middle Eastern, according to police, and thin. Police suspect he had a firearm in his jacket.

A suspect in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. (Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police)
A suspect in the January 2022 kidnapping or disappearance of Ontario woman Elnaz Hajtmari, in a photo released in February 2023. Courtesy of Ontario Provincial Police

Hatamari’s parents live in Iran. According to the OPP, Hajtamiri emigrated from Iran to Canada less than five years ago. She is 5'3” tall, slim, with short black hair.

“Nothing weighs more heavily on our souls than the idea that we may never know what happened to Elnaz. We know there are people out there who have information and who may be contemplating whether to come forward. We pray that you will do the right thing and help us out of this suffering and bring justice for Elnaz,” Fariba Hajtamiri, the missing woman’s mother, said in a January police press release.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.