The family of a Coquitlam man who disappeared last month is making a desperate plea for help in locating him.
Sajed Ghaffari-Marandi, 31, was last heard from on Nov. 25 when he talked to a friend. Coquitlam RCMP were called on Dec. 1, after Ghaffari-Marandi's father and sister were unable to reach him.
"We miss him so much, this is very unlike him," said his older sister, Sam Ghaffari, who left her home and job in Edmonton to help look for her brother.
Ghaffari-Marandi is a passionate business owner of All Canadian Appliance Source on Austin Avenue; Ghaffari said he works long hours and seven days a week refurbishing and repairing appliances.
They were in touch almost daily by text message, she said, and would speak on the phone for up to two or three hours every two weeks. Ghaffari said they shared everything about their lives, encouraging each other and making plans for the future.
"All I really care about right now is to know he is safe," she said, breaking down in sobs. "If he's hearing this, anywhere across Canada, we just want him to make one small contact, just anything so I know he's OK."
Members of Coquitlam RCMP's Missing Person's Unit have found Ghaffari-Marandi disappeared with his wallet, identification and passport. His van, a 2015 white Nissan 200 with the licence plate KF7170, is also missing.
Coquitlam RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said Ghaffari-Marandi is not involved in organized crime and police do not know of any specific reason why he might be missing.
And although Ghaffari-Marandi disappeared with his wallet, he hasn't accessed any of his bank accounts. He hasn't been in contact with anybody and there has been no activity on his email or social media.
"We simply have no idea where he is and that's a real concern for both us and his family," McLaughlin said. "We want him to know that if he doesn't want to be found, that is his choice, he's an adult, but we do need to know that he's safe."
Ghaffari-Marandi has connections in Kelowna, Fort McMurray and other areas of Alberta, according to police. Investigators have alerted border agencies but say that so far, he hasn't crossed the border legally.
Police have set up a dedicated tip line to generate more information and it was active as of Tuesday morning; anyone with information about Ghaffari-Marandi is urged to call 1-877-687-3377.
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