Accused killer Mohamad Lilo maintains he did not murder his ex-girlfriend Elnaz Hajtamiri, who disappeared nearly four years ago. Hajtamiri was abducted from a Wasaga Beach home by men impersonating police officers. In a series of jailhouse interviews, Lilo expressed hope that she is still alive and stated he would like to assist in the search for her. "That’s my hope and everyone’s hope," he said.

Lilo has consistently denied any involvement in Hajtamiri's disappearance. He is set to go on trial for her murder in the spring. Since their breakup in the fall of 2021, Lilo claims he has moved on with his life. "I’m innocent," he asserted. "I would like to bring Elnaz back to her family."

Lilo is also facing sentencing in Barrie court for aggravated assault after being found guilty of hiring men to follow and attack Hajtamiri on December 21, 2021. During that incident, she sustained severe injuries, requiring 40 stitches to her head. The attack was interrupted by a passerby, and the assailants fled in a stolen vehicle.

Following the assault, Hajtamiri changed her appearance and relocated to a relative's home in Wasaga Beach. On January 12, 2022, she was abducted again by men in tactical gear who claimed to have an arrest warrant for her. Since then, she has not been seen and is presumed dead.

Prior to her disappearance, tracking devices were discovered on Hajtamiri's vehicle, indicating she may have been followed. Both Lilo and Hajtamiri worked for an import-export company that dealt with shipping large containers overseas. Lilo is represented by prominent criminal defense attorney Tony Bryant, known for defending high-profile clients.

Hajtamiri, who moved to Canada from Iran in 2018 after her husband's death, had aspirations of starting a cake business. Lilo has been in custody since his arrest in Quebec in July 2022. He was charged with criminal harassment just nine days after Hajtamiri went missing. His charges include kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, and attempted murder.

In October 2025, Sukhpreet Singh, 25, from Mississauga, was extradited from Texas to face charges related to the parking lot attack on Hajtamiri. He is the eighth suspect arrested in connection with the case.

A year after Hajtamiri's disappearance, her mother, Fariba, made an emotional appeal for information regarding her daughter. "I just want to hug my daughter again," she said in Farsi through Canadian police. Fariba expressed her hope that Hajtamiri was still alive, stating, "Nothing weighs more heavily on our souls than the idea that we may never know what happened to Elnaz."

Fariba urged anyone with information to come forward, saying, "I beg you, as a mother, to guide us and tell us anything you know. We desperately need your help. If you have any information, please share with the police." The case has garnered international attention, highlighting the ongoing search for justice in Hajtamiri's disappearance.