Investigators say the victim and accused knew each other.
Masood Masjoody (Photo courtesy IHIT)
A man reported missing in early February has been confirmed dead, and two people are now charged with first‑degree murder after investigators located his remains in Mission, B.C., following weeks of searches and forensic work.
Burnaby RCMP first began looking into the disappearance of 45‑year‑old Masood Masjoody on the evening of February 2, after concerned neighbours reported he had not been seen. Officers quickly determined his absence was out of character and that criminality was involved. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) took over the case and began working with Burnaby RCMP and forensic specialists to establish a timeline and determine what happened.
IHIT says investigators pursued multiple leads and conducted searches at several locations. On March 6, police located Masjoody’s remains in Mission. IHIT thanked Mission RCMP, Integrated Police Dog Services, the Integrated Emergency Response Team, Integrated Forensic Identification Services, and Mission Search and Rescue for their assistance in the search effort.
A week later, on March 13, investigators arrested two people in connection with the homicide: 48‑year‑old Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi of Maple Ridge and 45‑year‑old Arezou Soltani of North Vancouver. Both are charged with first‑degree murder.
IHIT says the victim and the two accused were known to one another. The motive remains under investigation.
“We understand this case has impacted the Iranian community and has generated widespread concern and public interest. While the motive is still under investigation, we can say the victim and two accused were known to each other,” says Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “The laying of first-degree murder charges marks a significant milestone and reflects the hard work undertaken over the past several weeks; however, much work remains as the prosecution process begins.”
Police say no further information will be released now that the matter is before the courts.
