Why Are Missing South Asian Men In Downtown Ending Up Dead In False Creek?

Why are missing South Asian men in downtown ending up dead in False Creek? Police and the public should be asking this question after another missing South Asian man’s body was found in False Creek following a similar incident in late April with that man’s body also found in False Creek. Police have so far not found any foul play but this seems suspicious  The remains of Suleiman Khawar were recovered from False Creek last week, bringing a tragic end to an 11-day search that began when the Vancouver man went missing late last month. Suleiman is the second missing South Asian man in a month to end up in the False Creek area following the death of Irshaad Ikbal, a Langley resident, who had been missing since a night out in downtown Vancouver late April, and who was also found deceased in False Creek.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

With News Files

VANCOUVER –Why are missing South Asian men in downtown ending up dead in False Creek?

Police and the public should be asking this question after another missing South Asian man’s body was found in False Creek following a similar incident in late April with that man’s body also found in False Creek. Police have so far not found any foul play but this seems suspicious 

The remains of Suleiman Khawar were recovered from False Creek last week, bringing a tragic end to an 11-day search that began when the Vancouver man went missing late last month.

Suleiman’s body was discovered by a boater near Granville Island just after 8:30 a.m. last Monday. The BC Coroners Service is now investigating.

Suleiman is the second missing South Asian man in a month to end up in the False Creek area following the death of Irshaad Ikbal, a Langley resident, who had been missing since a night out in downtown Vancouver late April, and who was also found deceased in False Creek.

Speaking to CityNews, Sgt. Steve Addison says while there are similarities between Khawar’s death and the death of Irshad Ikbaal, there is no “evidentiary link” that police have discovered between the two cases.

“They’re both very tragic cases that are still under investigation. But at this point, there’s no indication that the two cases are connected. Right now, it’s just a coincidence that this has happened. There’s no evidence or indication that the two cases are connected,” he said.

Ikbaal’s body was found in False Creek on May 18, just two weeks prior to the disappearance of Khawar. The cause of the man’s death has not yet been determined, with the VPD saying the coroner is also looking into the matter.

The VPD adds its “investigation into Irshaad’s disappearance remains open.”

The Vancouver Police extended their condolences to Suleiman’s loved ones, and thanked all of the community members who came together to search for Suleiman after he went missing on May 25.

The Vancouver Police investigation into his disappearance remains open. Anyone who saw or interacted with Suleiman just before midnight on May 25, or in the early hours of May 26, is asked to called VPD’s Missing Person Unit at 604-717-2530 or email vpd.missing@vpd.ca.

The 23-year-old was missing for 11 days after being last seen on May 25 at Mansion Night Club near West Georgia and Thurlow streets in downtown Vancouver.

On May 27, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said Khawar told his family he was on his way home but never showed. Similarly, Ikbal too never made it home after being in downtown with friends.

Police say a boater found Khawar around 8:30 a.m. near Granville Island. The BC Coroners Service is now investigating.

Addison says police are working on piecing together Khawar’s final moments so they can provide answers to his family, friends, and loved ones, to “help them fully understand what happened.”

“We have spoken to the people he was with. We’ve done everything that we always do in a missing persons investigation — which is now 12 days old — which involves looking at speaking to people he was with, looking for people that he may have interacted with around the time that he went missing, doing video canvases, looking at cell phone, bank records, social media, and we’ve gathered a significant level of understanding about what was going on, and what happened.

“We shared information with Suleiman’s family and his loved ones, but at this point, we still have some work to do to fully understand how he got from where he was last seen to the place where he was found,” Addison said.

In a statement Tuesday, Khawar’s family says it is going through a difficult time as they process the loss of the youngest member of their family, reported CityNews.

“Suleiman will be remembered for his kind, gentle, and empathetic nature, his sweet gestures, and his easy-going personality.”

“He will be remembered for his love of music, board games, and the outdoors. We would like to thank our friends, community members, the VPD, and businesses that have all supported us in the search for Suleiman.

“All your tireless efforts and dedication has meant so much to the family. We are incredibly grateful to all of you,” the Khawar family said.

Police say his disappearance is still under investigation and is urging anyone who saw or interacted with Khawar just before midnight on May 25, or in the early hours of May 26, to call the VPD’s Missing Person Unit at 604-717-2530 or email vpd.missing@vpd.ca.