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Charges against one accused in Elnaz Hajtamiri abduction stayed

Charges against 35-year-old Etobicoke woman stayed in Collingwood court this week
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Elnaz Hajtamiri was abducted from her home in Wasaga Beach on Jan. 12.

The charges against a woman arrested and accused of being connected to the abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri from a Wasaga Beach home have been put on hold. 

Dominique Ewan was facing multiple charges in court related to the police investigation into the violent kidnapping of Hajtamiri, but those charges were stayed at the request of the Crown attorney. 

A news release from Ontario Provincial Police in April noted Ewan, 35, of Etobicoke, was arrested on April 3 and charged with kidnapping, fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. 

At that time, police confirmed Ewan was released from custody with conditions. 

The Ministry of the Attorney General confirmed all charges against Ewan were stayed during a court appearance on Oct. 10 in Collingwood.

A person whose charges are stayed is not convicted of the offence or offences and no longer needs to attend court, according to a definition included on the Government of Canada's justice website. 

"A withdrawal of charges means that the prosecution can never bring those charges back, but with a stay of proceedings, charges can be revived within a year," states the justice.gc.ca website. 

The Attorney General's office wouldn't specify why the charges were stayed or what, if any, next steps there will be. 

"As there are related matters before the court, it would be inappropriate to comment further," stated an email from Ministry of the Attorney General's office.

Hajtamiri was abducted Jan. 12, 2022 at approximately 8:30 p.m. from a Wasaga Beach residence by three suspects dressed in fake police gear. They fled in a white Lexus RX SUV.

She has not been seen or heard from since. 

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Police are still looking for Deshawn Davis as part of the OPP investigation into the violent abduction of Elnaz Hajtamiri from a Wasaga Beach home. | Supplied photo

Police are still looking for Deshawn Davis, 35, of Toronto, and the warrant for his arrest remains active. Police announced earlier this month Davis was wanted as a suspect in the abduction case. 

Davis is currently at-large and police are asking for the public's help in finding him. 

Police also reported on March 17, 2023, they had arrested Krystal P. Lawrence on March 16 and charged her with kidnapping. She was released with conditions and ordered to appear in court to face the charges. 

A $100,000 joint OPP and York Regional Police reward is still available for anyone with information that will lead to Elnaz Hajtamiri's whereabouts.

Hajtamiri is about five-foot-three (160 cm), with a slim build and shoulder-length black hair.  

On Dec. 20, 2021, Hajtamiri was attacked and struck with a frying pan in her underground parking garage on King William Crescent in Richmond Hill, near Yonge Street and Bantry Avenue. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

Since then, five people have been arrested in connection with that attack.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit tips online at ontariocrimestoppers.ca/submit-a-tip. Members of the public are strongly urged to help share our message on social media using the hashtag #BringElnazHome.

READ MORE: Woman abducted from Wasaga was violently attacked weeks before: family



Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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