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
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.