Police are continuing to investigate the murder of a Toronto man whose remains were discovered in Uxbridge earlier this year.

DRPS officers were called to the area of Concession Road 6 and Allbright Road on May 10, where they discovered human remains concealed inside a hockey bag that was retrieved from a private pond adjacent to the road.

Shortly after, the victim was identified as Ariel Kaplan, who was reported missing in September of 2021.

Police believe he was murdered after being abducted from the area of Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue in Toronto on Aug. 29, 2021.

“His last known location was corroborated in part through cell data and interviews. Based on witness account, Mr. Kaplan appeared to fear for his safety in the days and weeks that preceded his abduction,” reads a media release.

The DRPS is working alongside the Toronto Police Service to investigate.

“The team has conducted well over 100 interviews and analyzed hundreds of thousands of data files and documents from dozens of judicial authorizations to advance this investigation. Analysis of cell phone data, social media, bank records and numerous enquiries with agencies from Canada and abroad have all been part of our investigation,” reads a media release.

Investigators also believe that on the night of his disappearance, Kaplan had dinner with several acquaintances at a restaurant in the Yorkville area.

“According to witnesses and a review of the victim’s cell phone data, we believe he attended that restaurant sometime after 9 p.m., on August 29, 2021,” the media release reads.

“We know from our interviews that Mr. Kaplan ties to the Russian and Jewish communities in Toronto and further that he had business relationships with members of the Somalian, Italian and Mexican communities. As much as we are trying to identify the perpetrators, we are also interested in eliminating those that were not involved in his murder.”

Police note that Kaplan was a son, a brother, and an uncle. Hhis death has deeply affected his family, his friends and his community.

“At this time, we continue to follow up on leads, but are appealing to the public for any information that could assist in solving this murder and provide some closure to those affected,” the media release reads.

Police have established a toll-free tip line — 1-888-579-1520, ext. 5444 – for anyone with information related to the case.