Richmond Hill
November 20, 2008 11:50 PM
Joe Fantauzzi
Ontario Provincial Police remained tight-lipped this week about why they believe Thornhill resident Ali Garakan was murdered.
On Nov. 7 at about 12:25 a.m., Nottawasaga OPP officers received a 911 call from a driver about a fire burning in the ditch along the 6th Line of Essa Township, south of Barrie. Emergency workers converged on the area and found human remains, later identified by the OPP as those of Mr. Garakan.
An autopsy determined the cause of Mr. Garakan’s death as a stab wound to the chest.
His identity was proven through dental records, OPP said.
“We can’t speak to the motive because it forms part of the evidence that will be presented (in court),” OPP Sgt. Pierre Chamberland said Tuesday.
An investigation by the OPP with help from York Regional Police and Toronto police service led to arrest warrants being issued for three men in connection with the case. Mohammed Al Kazragy, 23, Payam Khastou, 25, and Arash Arashvand, 22, all of Toronto are charged with second degree murder.
The men remained at large as of Tuesday, Sgt. Chamberland confirmed.
The charges have not been proven.
If you have any information, call police at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.