Charges Laid in 2022 Homicide Investigation

Investigators with the York Regional Police Cold Case Section have charged a man in relation to a 2022 missing person investigation which has now been deemed a homicide.

On August 30, 2022, Roman PERELSTEIN was reported missing by his family. He was last seen in the area of Bathurst Street and Orchard Heights Boulevard in the Town of Aurora several weeks prior. 

Before PERELSTEIN had been reported missing, on August 21, 2022, human remains were located along a trail in the area of Sideline 20 and Concession Road 8 in the City of Pickering. No identification could be made at the time, due to the conditions of the remains. 

In March 2025, through dental records, the remains were positively identified as Roman PERELSTEIN.

His death has been deemed a homicide. 

Following a lengthy investigation, Suren KHIZGUIIAEV, 49, of Harwich Township, was charged on May 21, 2026, with Accessory After the Fact to Murder and Indignity to a Dead Body. 

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police Cold Case Section at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 6000, or email the Cold Case Section at coldcase@yrp.ca. Anonymous tips can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or by visiting www.1800222tips.com.

Crime prevention is our shared responsibility: Find up-to-date crime data in York Region on the Community Safety Data Portal, or become a partner in community safety by signing up for the Security Camera Registry today.