Mississauga Mother's Disappearance Unreported for Years, Now a Homicide Case
Peel Regional Police have launched a homicide investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Mezhgan Aini, a 38-year-old Mississauga mother of three who vanished in 2022 but was not reported missing until 2025. The case has raised serious questions about how a person could be missing for so long without authorities being alerted.
A Mysterious Vanishing Act
Mezhgan Aini, who also went by the names "Sara" or "Sarah," was last seen sometime between June and September 2022. According to police, she was never reported missing in Canada until they received a call from Afghanistan in 2025.
"It was her family in Afghanistan who reported her missing," said Detective Kevin Robbie of the homicide and missing persons unit. "They said they had been trying to contact her with no success for years."
While Sarah was missing, her husband Mohammad Yama Aini continued to live in their apartment on Queen Frederica Drive in Mississauga with their three children, who are between the ages of eight and seventeen.
Family Concerns and Police Investigation
Sarah's sister, Benafsha Ahmadi, spoke to media in Afghanistan about the family's growing concerns. "Her communication with us stopped," she said. "Our entire family was worried and we would ask her husband where Mezhgan was. He allegedly told us that Mezhgan was sick, she was in the hospital, the doctor wouldn't let her communicate with anyone over the phone."
The sister continued: "How is it possible that a woman can be missing for three years and no one notices? These are questions that must be answered by the Canadian government."
Police said Mohammad has been "co-operative" with their investigation, though Sarah's family claims they did not receive such cooperation when inquiring about their loved one.
Troubled History and Diplomatic Immunity
The case becomes more complex when considering the couple's history. Before coming to Canada, the family lived in New York City where Mohammad worked as a diplomat stationed with the Afghan government at the United Nations.
In 2017, the couple made headlines when Mohammad drove Sarah to the hospital with a bloodied eye and facial wounds that police suspected were caused by her husband. According to New York Post reports, Sarah was wearing a burka at the time, though in Canada she was known to wear a hijab.
Due to "diplomatic immunity," no charges were filed against Mohammad. The Toronto Star reported that Sarah denied her husband had harmed her, with Mohammad claiming she tripped on a broom.
Refugee Status and Current Investigation
Following the incident, Mohammad was summoned to Afghanistan, but the family instead fled and claimed refugee status in Canada. In Mississauga, Sarah worked as a seamstress while her husband became a store clerk.
Detective Robbie explained that while police have not named a suspect, they do "have an open mind" with this investigation. "We are not getting into the details of why police believe she fell victim to homicide," he said, adding that they have a theory they are working on.
Police have not revealed a potential motive but are asking for public assistance. "Investigators are asking anyone who observed suspicious activity in the area of her residence between June 2022 and September 2022, who has not yet spoken with police or who has information about Aini or her family, to come forward," said Peel police.
The investigation continues as authorities search for answers in this perplexing case that remained hidden for years before coming to light.
