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Two years after a man went missing in Scarborough, Toronto police are renewing the investigation in hopes that the public will bring forward more information.
Investigators set up a command post near where he was last seen in Scarborough to renew the search, the Toronto Police Service said in a news release on Saturday.
“This will be Taron’s third Christmas away from his family, and police remain committed to finding answers for them,” police said.
Taron Stepanyan, 42, was seen leaving his home near Victoria Park Avenue and Sheppard Avenue E. on Dec. 23. 2023, and has not been found since, according to Saturday’s release.
Stepanyan’s sister, Tatev Stepanyan, said it’s been exactly two years since she last spoke with her brother.
“Taron is the most caring father, son and brother,” she told CBC Toronto in a statement. “My mom and I are waiting for a miracle every day.”
The family was getting very little information in the fall of this year and thought the investigation was not moving forward, the family’s lawyer Elina Marinosyan told CBC Toronto Saturday.
“However, we’ve been reassured that every possible step is being taken and that police are working tirelessly to get some answers to my clients,” she said.
Marinosyan said despite this, the family feels “horrible.”
“They know for sure that he would never [have] stopped communicating with them unless something really horrible happened to him,” she said. “He had no mental health issues and they suspect foul play here.”
Officers will be in the area where Stepanyan went missing to hand out flyers and speak with residents. Investigators are hopeful the anniversary may prompt renewed attention that could bring forward information that may help find the man, the release said.
Police describe Stepanyan as being five feet 11 inches tall, weighing about 229 pounds, with short brown hair, a brown-and-grey beard and brown eyes.
Toronto police said they are are concerned for the man’s safety.
“Anyone with information is encouraged to approach an officer in the area or contact police directly,” police said in the release.
