Mississauga Woman's 2022 Disappearance Now Ruled a Homicide by Police
In a significant development, Peel Regional Police have officially reclassified the mysterious disappearance of Mezhgan Aini, a 38-year-old Mississauga resident, as a homicide. The case, which has puzzled investigators for years, took a grim turn as authorities now believe she was murdered, though her remains have not been located.
Public Assistance Sought in Solving the Case
Detectives are urgently appealing to the public for any information that could shed light on Aini's fate. She was last seen in June 2022, but her absence went unreported until June 2025, when family members in Afghanistan contacted police after being unable to reach her for an extended period. Aini, who also went by the names "Sara" or "Sarah," lived in the area of Queen Frederica Drive and Dundas Street East in Mississauga.
Investigators are specifically asking anyone who observed suspicious activity in that vicinity between June and September 2022 to come forward. They emphasize that even minor details could be crucial in piecing together the events leading to her disappearance.
A Troubled Past Resurfaces
This is not the first time Mezhgan Aini has been in the headlines. In 2017, she was involved in a highly publicized incident in Queens, New York, where she and her husband, Mohammad Yama Aini, an Afghan diplomat at the United Nations, were raising their three children. According to reports from the New York Post, she was treated at a hospital for injuries sustained from an alleged assault, including hair-pulling and being punched in the face, resulting in swelling and redness around her right eye.
Neighbors described her as quiet and often seen wearing a burka. While no charges were filed in New York, the Post indicated there might have been repercussions for the alleged attacker in Afghanistan. It remains unclear when Aini moved to Canada or whether she was accompanied by her husband and children.
Peel's History with Honour Killings
While detectives have not disclosed specific theories about Aini's case, Peel Regional Police have prior experience investigating honour killings—cases where cultural or religious taboos lead to violence. Notable past investigations include the murders of Poonan Litt, a 27-year-old woman stabbed to death, and Aqsa Parvez, a 16-year-old girl whose father and brother were convicted. These cases highlight the complex dynamics that can sometimes cross into Canadian communities.
As the investigation continues, police are treating Aini's disappearance with heightened urgency, now framed as a homicide. The lack of remains adds to the mystery, but authorities are determined to uncover the truth and bring closure to her family.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Peel Regional Police immediately. The case underscores the ongoing challenges in solving missing persons cases that evolve into criminal investigations, particularly when delays in reporting occur.
