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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
