BC Mathematician Found Murdered: 2 Charged in Targeted Killing

B.C. Mathematician, Frequent Litigant, Found Dead. Two Charged with Murder

A British Columbia mathematician known for filing numerous lawsuits, often described as “vexatious litigation,” was found dead earlier this month, and two individuals have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with his death. Masood Masjoody, 45, was reported missing February 2nd and his remains were discovered near Mission, B.C., on March 6th. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced the charges Friday against Mehdi Ahmadzadeh Razavi, 48, of Maple Ridge, and Arezou Soltani, 45, of North Vancouver.

The case has triggered alarm within Canada’s Iranian diaspora, raising concerns about intimidation and potential transnational repression, according to reports. Officials said the victim and the accused were known to each other, and that continuing disputes and social media exchanges between them are under investigation as a potential motive.

A History of Legal Battles

Masjoody was a vocal critic of the Islamic Republic of Iran and had been involved in a series of legal disputes for years, frequently suing other members of the Iranian diaspora. Since 2020, he initiated at least 11 lawsuits, including actions against exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah of Iran, and individuals associated with monarchist groups.

The B.C. Court of Appeal had previously restricted Masjoody’s ability to file further appeals, characterizing his legal actions as bearing “many, if not all, of the hallmarks of vexatious litigation” in a May 2025 decision. Justice Bruce Butler’s ruling highlighted the problematic nature of his repeated lawsuits.

Masjoody’s website contained allegations against Ahmadzadeh and Soltani, identifying them as leaders of a local monarchist group, the Canadian Iranian Wakuppers Foundation, and accusing them of disrupting a political event featuring Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre. He had filed a defamation and conspiracy lawsuit against both Ahmadzadeh and Pahlavi in September 2024, obtaining a default judgment against Ahmadzadeh that was later set aside by Justice David Crossin.

Fractured Relationships and “Bad Blood”

Justice Crossin, in a January 2025 decision, described the relationships between the parties involved as deeply fractured. He noted that the lawsuit stemmed from a series of conflicts and disputes that had once been friendly relationships. “To state there is bad blood resulting in cross‑allegations of various wrongdoings would be an understatement,” the judge wrote.

Masjoody had filed two separate lawsuits against Pahlavi, alleging libelous attacks on social media platform X. He also pursued a defamation suit against Soltani, claiming retaliation for his initial case against Pahlavi. These legal battles underscore the intense personal conflicts that characterized Masjoody’s interactions within the Iranian diaspora.

From Academia to Litigation

Prior to his extensive legal pursuits, Masjoody worked as a math instructor at Simon Fraser University (SFU) from 2018 to 2020, having previously earned his doctorate in mathematics from the same institution. During his time at SFU, he raised concerns about alleged Iranian intelligence infiltration within the university, and subsequently sued after a harassment complaint led to the non-renewal of his teaching contract. That case was dismissed by the courts. He also filed a lawsuit against the Burnaby Beacon, a local news outlet, alleging defamation related to their coverage of the SFU lawsuit, which was also dismissed. The Bureau reported on these earlier disputes.

Investigation and Next Steps

The Burnaby RCMP initiated an investigation into Masjoody’s disappearance after receiving reports from concerned neighbors. The case was quickly transferred to IHIT, recognizing the potential for criminal involvement. Iran International reported that the charges were laid Friday.

IHIT Sergeant Freda Fong stated that the investigation is ongoing, with the motive still under examination. She acknowledged the impact of the case on the Iranian community and emphasized that the victim and the accused were known to each other.

A court appearance for Ahmadzadeh and Soltani is scheduled for Monday. The prosecution process is now underway, and investigators continue to gather evidence and explore all possible leads. The New York Times described the incident as a “targeted incident.”