Toronto man was abducted before his remains were found in a hockey bag floating in a pond, police say
A Toronto man whose remains were found floating in an Uxbridge, Ont. pond last spring was abducted from Toronto before he was murdered and his body was put in a hockey bag, police say
“We now believe Mr. Kaplan was abducted from the area of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue in Toronto on August 29, 2021, before he was killed and his body was disposed of,” Det. Sgt. Doris Carriere said at a Durham Region Police Service (DRPS) news conference on Monday morning.
“Mr. Kaplan appeared to fear for his safety in the days and weeks that preceded his abduction,” Carriere said, later adding that police believe Kaplan felt that way because someone was trying to find him.
On the night of Kaplan’s disappearance, investigators say they believe he had dinner with several people at a Yorkville restaurant sometime after 9 p.m.
“We know from our interviews that Mr. Kaplan had ties to the Russian and Jewish communities, and further that he had business relationships with members of the Somalian, Italian and Mexican communities,” Carriere said.
This new information is based on more than 100 interviews, hundreds of thousands of data files and documents, along with cell phone data that corroborated witness accounts, social media posts, bank records and inquiries from Canada and abroad, according to police.
On May 10, DRPS were called to a rural area of Uxbridge, near Uxbridge Concession Road 6 and Allbright Road, after a local resident found human remains.
Ontario Forensic Pathology Services confirmed the remains are those of 32-year-old Ariel Kaplan, of Toronto.
Kaplan was reported missing in August 2021, police said.
Months earlier, in May 2021, he was charged with two counts of possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000 for his alleged involvement in the theft of a tractor-trailer that was carrying nearly $250,000 worth of juice bottles and washing machines.
Carriere said investigators don’t have “direct links” right now that connect these charges with Kaplan’s murder, but that some witnesses have supported this theory and officers “remain open” to following evidence if it leads in that direction.
Investigators are asking for anyone who was in contact with Kaplan around the time of his disappearance and in the weeks prior to call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5444 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
“Ariel Kaplan was a son, a brother and an uncle. His death has deeply affected his family, his friends and his community.”
With files from CTV News Toronto's Abby O'Brien.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.