The family of a missing Mississauga, Ont., woman is pleading for information they hope will bring justice for their loved one, as police say her disappearance is now considered a homicide.

Suleiman Ahmadi said his sister, Mezhgan Aini, was a kind and caring person who loved her children and “always” supported her family.

“She was strong even during difficult times,” Ahmadi said in an interview from Afghanistan. “We love her so much and we miss her.”

Aini and her husband, Mohammad Yama Aini, lived in the U.S. before moving to Canada in 2017.

Peel Regional Police Det. Kevin Robbie told Global News that Aini’s husband had an allegation of assault presented in New York against him, but it did not result in charges due to diplomatic immunity. Mohammad was a former United Nations diplomat.

“It was our understanding he was supposed to go back to Afghanistan to speak with government officials, and he, in turn, came to Canada instead,” Robbie said in an interview on Monday.

Court documents indicate in July 2017, Mohammad alleged his wife tripped on a broom and fell, bruising her face near her right eye, so he drove her to the hospital. The records say staff asked his wife about possible violence from her husband, but she denied he had harmed or abused her.

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Aini’s brother told Global News she was the type who “wants peace.”

“Mezhgan was a very kind person and she was a person that wants peace in her life,” he said. “She puts things down and said that, ‘It’s OK, we don’t have any problem,’ and continued living with her husband. We were worried for her safety.”

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She vanished in 2022. Peel police now treating her disappearance as homicide

Police said Monday in a news release that Aini, who also went by the names “Sara” or “Sarah,” was reported missing in June 2025 by family members in Afghanistan who had been unable to reach her for an extended period of time.

Robbie said 12 Division initially received the report and began a missing persons investigation. Investigators looked into her friends, family, coworkers, her banking, phone records and medical history.

“There was no signs of life that they were able to find out since June of 2022,” Robbie said.

According to her brother, they stopped communicating with Aini at some point in 2022.

He said her husband told the family she was sick, which they believed. But the family eventually became suspicious.

“(For) about three years we were unaware about Mezhgan’s life or about Mezhgan’s health,” he said. “We don’t have any photo of Mezhgan and we didn’t have any news (about) Mezhgan’s life.”

It’s what prompted the family to contact police.

The family says they’re also worried for Mezhgan’s children, who live with their father.

Authorities say Aini’s husband has been co-operating in the police investigation.

Asked if Aini’s husband is a person of interest in the investigation, Robbie said he “can’t say what his status is at this time.”

However, the detective confirmed to Global News they have “identified a suspect.”

“We want justice for our sister, because she deserves that,” Ahmadi said.

—With files from Global News’ Caryn Lieberman, Catherine McDonald and Aaron D’Andrea

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The investigations into two targeted shootings that killed two men in Toronto and Vaughan, Ont., earlier this year share the same suspect, police say.

Investigators with Toronto and York regional police told reporters Tuesday that the deaths of Chandan Kumar Raja Nandakumar and Sergio Lopes are connected.

Around 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 7, the 37-year-old Raja Nandakumar was shot in the parking lot of Woodbine Shopping Centre in Etobicoke.

Officers found the Brampton resident inside a car suffering from gunshot wounds, which police described as life-threatening. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

He was Toronto’s third homicide victim of the year. Global News learned Raja Nandakumar was a software engineer, and police believe he was targeted. Friends described him as a kind, helpful and soft-spoken person.

1:42
Police identify victim of Monday’s fatal daylight shooting in Vaughan

On Jan. 26, Lopes, 65, was shot and killed outside his carpentry business in Vaughan. It was just after 1 p.m. when police responded to 911 calls for the shooting.

The Richmond Hill resident had been shot multiple times; he was rushed to hospital, where he later died. Lopes was described as a respected member of the community and a loving father and husband.

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Police said the suspect or suspects fled in a black SUV, which was found on fire near Kipling and Woodbridge avenues.

Investigators said Tuesday that two 19-year-old men are wanted on first-degree murder and arson charges, and allege that one of them was involved in both homicides.

“It was similarities that led our services to speak to each other that then provided the situation we’re here today,” Toronto police Det-Sgt. Sandra Arruda said.

“I can’t get into the evidentiary nature of what seemed to be similar.”

Arruda did say one of those similarities was stolen vehicles that were used in the shootings.

Edmonton’s Isaiah Thomas Badger and Mississauga’s Jacob Wallace are the individuals wanted. Police believe they’re both in the Greater Toronto Area, and are asking the public not to approach them and to call 911.

“To Mr. Badger and Mr. Wallace, we’re coming for you. Turn yourselves in. Hire a lawyer,” Arruda said.

“To anyone else who has assisted these two individuals, including anyone who may be helping them evade police, you are committing a criminal offence. You will be investigated, arrested and charged where evidence supports it.”

Arruda alleged Badger acted alone in Raja Nandakumar’s homicide, while York Regional Police Det. Sgt. Jonathan Nauman alleged Wallace drove the getaway car in Lopes’ slaying.

Badger is also wanted by Edmonton police on outstanding weapons charges, Arruda said.

“It’s shocking to me that we’re standing here with two 19-year-olds wanted for first-degree murder, and for Mr. Isaiah Badger to be wanted for two separate homicides,” he said.

“It’s shocking to me.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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The 2022 disappearance of a Mississauga, Ont., woman is now being treated as a homicide, Peel Regional Police say.

Investigators said Monday that they’re asking for the public’s help in the case of 38-year-old Mezhgan Aini, who vanished in June 2022.

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Police in a news release said Aini, who also went by the names “Sara” or “Sarah,” lived near Queen Frederica Drive and Dundas Street East in Mississauga. Aini is described as standing five feet two inches tall and having a medium build with long, straight black hair.

She was reported missing last June by family members in Afghanistan who had been unable to reach her for an extended period, police said.

Investigators are asking anyone who has information, or who observed suspicious activity near her home between June and September 2022, to contact them.

An Ontario driver landed themselves in the penalty box an hour before puck drop between Canada and the U.S. Sunday for going 68 kilometres over the posted speed limit.

Greater Sudbury police said in a Facebook post Monday that the driver was nabbed just after 7 a.m. for going 148 kilometres per hour in a posted 80 km/h zone.

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They were charged with speeding, stunt driving, careless driving and possessing more than one licence; their vehicle has been impounded for 14 days, and their licence has also been suspended for 30 days.

“Someone was a little too excited for the hockey game yesterday morning,” police said in the post.

“Canada may have fallen short in the gold medal game, and yes, we’re all still grieving a little, but let’s not add traffic charges to the list of things we’re sad about. Stay safe out there, Sudbury.”

The driver is expected to appear in court in May.

Another Ontario police force is turning to drone technology for use as first responders for certain 911 calls.

The Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS) announced last week its pilot project will see remotely-piloted drones being deployed to assist in unknown‑risk or high‑risk calls, missing persons investigations, natural disasters or sudden emergencies or any situation where rapid aerial intelligence improves safety.

These drones can arrive on scene within roughly 60 seconds, and will provide first responders with immediate, real-time situational awareness, the force said.

“This rapid-response capability allows officers to assess risks earlier, plan safer approaches, and coordinate more effectively before arriving on scene,” the force said in a statement.

“The pilot will be supported by drone dock sites strategically positioned through-out the Region to provide continuous overlapping coverage. Several launch locations are already fully prepared, with additional sites nearing to come.”

Durham police appear to be following in the footsteps of Peel Regional Police, which announced last year it would be “one of, if not the first police service in Canada” to use drone technology in that capacity.

1:46
Corman Park Police drone helps with search and rescues

Over the last several years, police forces across Canada have been increasingly utilizing drones.

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Several police forces, including Halton Region and Peel, have utilized drones for search and rescue cases, collision reconstruction, tactical operations and disaster response.

In June, an Ontario Provincial Police drone was crucial in finding a three-year-old Quebec girl who was the subject of a frantic four-day search in both provinces.

The girl, who was reported missing in Coteau-du-Lac, Que., was spotted four days later by the police drone sitting alone in a ditch along the side of a highway near St. Albert, roughly 100 km from where she was reported missing.

2:07
Missing 3-year-old Quebec child found alive, spotted by drone in Ontario

Even in Vancouver — where the Vancouver Police Department’s (VPD) 20 drones flew 1,826 missions in 2024 — drones have been described as critical to daily policing.

One of their drones was key in capturing murder suspect Brendan Colin McBride, accused of killing a man in downtown Vancouver in September 2024 and of slicing off another person’s hand.

McBride was found on Habitat Island by the police drone.

2:20
Glimpse into VPD’s drone program

Durham police said its drones comply with Transport Canada authorizations, the approved Privacy Impact Assessment, and all provincial and federal privacy legislation. They will not be used for general surveillance, and do not contain facial recognition technology, it added.

“Public transparency is a core element of the project. DRPS will release public-facing materials—including previously collected video footage—to help the community understand how the system works and how privacy is protected. Presentation-style information sessions will also support community engagement,” the force said.

“Throughout the pilot period, DRPS will collect data on response times, operational efficiency, safety considerations, call types, and overall effectiveness. Findings will guide future decision‑making and inform upcoming funding applications.”

The force is holding a First Responder Community Information Night at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Education and Training Centre for residents to learn more about the pilot project.

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A small black dog that was kicked in a “disturbing and upsetting” viral video has been removed from the owner’s care, Sudbury, Ont., police say.

Investigators said they first learned of the incident on Saturday. A resident contacted them over an incident in which a man was seen kicking his dog on Bruce Avenue.

A video of the incident was later circulated online, police said.

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“We understand how disturbing and upsetting this video has been for many in our community and beyond, and we want to assure the public that we are actively investigating the incident,” police said in a news release Tuesday.

“The dog has since been removed from the individual’s care. Animal Welfare Services have been notified and are following up as part of the ongoing process.”

Police did not say if the owner was placed under arrest or if charges would be laid. An investigation is ongoing.

Investigators are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Police are also reminding community members not to call investigators unless they have first-hand information related to the incident.

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.