The Crown attorney has upgraded its charges against Mohamad Lilo to first-degree murder in the abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri.
The Crown confirmed to Global News Thursday that Lilo was charged by way of direct indictment with the first-degree murder of Hajtamiri.
“The investigation has, over the past 22 months, pursued the whereabouts of Elnaz Hajtamiri, and the OPP continues to actively investigate and provide updates to the public. We have investigated all public tips, and we want to bring resolution to the family,” Det. Insp. John Power told Global News on Thursday.
“A murder charge can be laid against a person when there is nobody when the circumstances of the evidence support the charge.”
Police said 37-year-old Hajtamiri has not been seen since she was abducted by three men from a relative’s home on Trailwood Place in Wasaga Beach, Ont., on Jan. 12, 2022.
Police said Hajtamiri was taken by three men wearing police gear — but not police uniforms. The suspects fled the scene in a white 2016 to 2022 model Lexus RX 350 sport utility vehicle.
Weeks before the abduction, on Dec. 20, 2021, York Regional Police said officers were called to King William Crescent in Richmond Hill for reports that a woman — later identified as Hajtamiri — had been attacked and struck with a frying pan in an underground parking garage.
In April 2022, two men were charged in connection with the “violent assault and attempted abduction” of Hajtamiri in Richmond Hill.
Months later in July 2022, OPP announced that Lilo, 35, from Brossard, Que., had been arrested and charged with kidnapping in connection with the incident in Wasaga Beach.
Police said he has also been charged with attempted murder and attempted kidnapping in connection with the attack in Richmond Hill.
Power says Lilo remains in custody.
Three other people have also been arrested and charged for the kidnapping.
Power says a fourth man named Deshawn Davis, aged 35, from Toronto, remains wanted on a Canada-wide warrant.
Hajtamiri is described as five feet three inches tall with a slim build and black hair that was cut to a short length before she was abducted. She also goes by the last name Tamiri.
“We sympathize with the friends and family of Elnaz Hajtamiri at this time with this difficult news as we continue the investigation to identify the persons responsible for her abduction and hold them accountable to bring resolution to the family.”
Power said police are continuing to look for information that could lead to the whereabouts of Hajtamiri to bring resolution to her family.
A $100,000 joint OPP and York Regional Police reward is available for anyone with information that will lead to her location.
— with files from Global News’ Gabby Rodrigues