Police confirm missing Akwesasne man is connected to migrants found dead in St. Lawrence River

By The Canadian Press

Authorities investigating the disappearance of an Akwesasne man whose boat was found near the bodies of eight migrants pulled from the St. Lawrence River last week are confirming he is connected to the case.

In a statement, Akwesasne Mohawk police say Casey Oakes is linked to the discovery on Thursday and Friday of the eight victims, but they did not provide further details.

The 30-year-old Oakes remains missing and police are continuing their search for him today in the territory about 130 kilometres southwest of Montreal.

Casey Oakes is shown in Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service handout photos. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Akwesasne Mohawk Police Service **MANDATORY CREDIT**

Police have said the eight victims consisted of two families, one of Romanian and another of Indian descent.

Toronto residents Florin lordache, 28, and his wife Cristina Zenaida lordache, also 28, were identified among those who died. Florin had two Canadian passports in his possession, one for each of the two children, whose bodies were also recovered.

Florin Iordache and his wife Cristina (Monalisa) Zenaida Iordache are seen in a composite image made of two undated handout photos. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Peter Ivanyi, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

The family had lived in Toronto for the last year and a half. While their children were Canadian citizens, the parents were set to be deported.

The four deceased Indians were members of the Chaudhari family. They included the father, Praveenbhai Chaudhari, 50; mother, Dakshaben, 45; son, Meet, 20; and 23-year-old daughter, Vidhi.

Praveenbhai Chaudhari, 50, is seen in an undated handout photo alongside his family including wife Dakshaben, 45; Meet, 20; and 23-year-old daughter, Vidhi. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Mehsana Police, *MANDATORY CREDIT*


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Authorities have said the eight people were allegedly attempting to illegally cross into the United States from Canada through Akwesasne Mohawk Territory, which straddles provincial and international boundaries and includes regions of Quebec, Ontario and New York state.

Oakes was last seen Wednesday night operating a boat that was found next to the migrants’ bodies, and police have said some items of clothing that belong to Oakes have also been found.

—With files from Tina Yazdani

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