CANADA • Margarita SHUMAKOVA, 18 ~ Toronto ON

Margarita Shumakova went missing a week ago. (DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE)

July 12, 2011 - The body of a young woman found over the weekend near Uxbridge, Ont., has been identified as a teenager from Toronto who disappeared just over a week ago.

And Margarita Shumakova is now thought to be Durham Region's second murder victim of the year.

Toronto cops had been looking for the 18-year-old since she was reported missing over the Canada Day long weekend, Durham police said Monday.

Durham officers responded to a rural stretch of road in Uxbridge, northeast of Toronto, around 9 p.m. Friday when a property owner called to report the discovery of a decomposing body.

Dental records had to be used to make a "tentative" identification.

Further forensic testing is being conducted, but Shumakova's family has been notified, police said.

Homicide detectives are now investigating the woman's death, with support from Toronto police. Few details were immediately available.

Police are urging anyone with information to call 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5247 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Still no answers in teen girl's death
July 14, 2011

TORONTO - There are still more questions than answers in the slaying of an 18-year-old girl who went missing on the Canada Day weekend.

Margarita Shumakova’s body was found decomposing in the woods near Uxbridge one week ago after last being seen alive outiside a downtown nightclub on July 3.

Durham Regional Police have said that even though their second murder victim of the year is only 18, she spent July 1 and July 2 at nightclubs in the entertainment district.

Between those nights, Shumakova went home to North York, where she lived with her mom, according to homicide detectives, who could not be reached Thursday.

She was seen by a friend around 1 a.m. on the Sunday, in a parking lot near City Nightclub at 296 Richmond St. W.

Shumakova’s body was found 80 km away last Friday in the trees just off Concession Rd. 8, near Wagg Rd., a rural area south of Uxbridge.

Investigators have been reviewing surveillance video from downtown nightclubs to determine what happened to Shumakova but they’ve so far released few new details.

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July 21, 2011 - Durham Regional Police have issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for a man in connection with the death of an 18-year-old Toronto woman.


Durham Regional Police issued a Canada-wide arrest warrant for Babak Ghanad on July 21, 2011.

The body of Margarita Shumakova, of Toronto, was found in the grass near a rural road in the Uxbridge area on July 9.

Shumakova was discovered by officers who were in the area on an unrelated matter. Police were walking on Concession Road 8 between Wagg and Reid Roads when her body was found.

Police said the body had been in the grass for several days.

On Thursday, Durham's homicide unit issued a first-degree murder warrant for Babak Ghanad, 35, of no fixed address.

Investigators ask anyone who knows Babak, has had contact with him or has information regarding the investigation, to contact Durham Regional Police Service's major crime homicide unit at 1-888-579-1520.

http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110721/margarita-shumakova-death-arrest-warrant-110721/20110721/?hub=TorontoNewHome

Police believe Uxbridge murder suspect has left Canada
August 4, 2011


Durham police are seeking Babak Ghanad, 35, of no fixed address.
He's wanted for the first-degree murder of Margarita Shumakova.

Police fear the suspect wanted for the murder of a Toronto teen whose body was discovered in Uxbridge has fled the country.

Durham homicide investigators believe Babak Ghanad, 35, of no fixed address has left Canada and are looking to the public for information leading to his international whereabouts. He is currently wanted on a Canada-wide warrant for the first-degree murder of Margarita Shumakova.

The 18-year-old Toronto woman was last seen in Toronto's entertainment district early on July 3. Her remains were discovered five days later on a quiet stretch of Concession 8 in Uxbridge. Ms. Shumakova's death was Durham's second homicide of 2011.

Investigators are currently working with international police agencies to locate the suspect.

Police want to hear from anyone who knows of Mr. Ghanad, had contact with him or know his current whereabouts. Call 905-579-1520, extension 5247 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/crime/article/182756