First Major Clue Found In Search For Missing Girl

Toronto Police have found their first major clue in their search for a missing girl.

Mariam Makhniashvili, 17, disappeared on her way to school on September 14.

Ground and air searches of her neighbourhood, interviews with friends and family and a public appeal to students at Forest Hill Collegiate turned up nothing.

But on October 8, investigators may have caught a break. Items belonging to Makhniashvili were spotted not far from where she was last seen.

Officers confirmed that her backpack, filled with her books, was discovered in the parking lot behind an apartment complex at 120 Eglinton Ave. East.

“I think it means what I told you before, that she was kidnapped,” Mariam’s father Vakhtang told CityNews reporter Pam Seatle early Friday morning.

Vakhtang confirmed that police had called the family Thursday night to tell them about the discovery.

He said that though it was some news, it was not good news.

“It’s important right now for members of the community to focus on their memory over the last two weeks, to look at this bag, and if they can put anything together, to give police a call,” Detective Sergeant Dan Nealon said at a press conference.

“We have reasonable cause to believe that the bag was moved around in the area,” he continued. Where it was found, he said, was not where it was first left.

The bag was in very good condition, which appeared surprising given that it had likely been outside for several weeks. Nealon would not comment on whether it had been washed, or if the backpack had only recently been dumped outside.

“We hope that something like this will lead us to her whereabouts,” Nealon said.

Police are now canvassing the area and looking at any possible security camera footage from the neighbourhood.

“We try to be hopeful, we try to be rational,” Vakhtang said later on Friday. But, he explained, it was difficult for the family to do so.

“The police told us that just because the bag was found, we don’t need to conclude something bad. We’re just still waiting.”

Before her disappearance, Makhniashvili had only been in the city for three months.

She had been living with her brother and grandmother in the Republic of Georgia for five years while her parents worked in the United States.

In June, the family reunited in Toronto.

Makhniashvili doesn’t speak much English and police believe she has no support system outside of her immediate family.

She is described as white, 5’3”, 140 pounds with light-brown, shoulder-length hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing black pants, a light-blue shirt, dark blue jean jacket and a large black knapsack with a green stripe.

If you can help, call police 416-808-5300 or Crime Stoppers to remain anonymous 416-222-TIPS (8477). You can also leave your tip online at 222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).

CrimeStoppers released a new video on Friday, showing the new clue.

Her parents also released an appeal in both Georgian and English.