Search continues for 'talented, energetic' 26-year-old missing woman

Windsor police are looking for Shilan Shahbazian, a missing Windsor woman last seen nearly two weeks ago. 

Known by her friends, colleagues and clients as being a bright, kind and hardworking woman, she was last seen on Jan. 4 around 7 p.m. in the area of  Huron Church Road and Riverside Drive West.

Her colleagues are urging people and businesses in the area to check their cameras for any information. 

Windsor police reported her missing on Jan. 7 and as the search enters its tenth day, community members are asking for public assistance.

The 26-year-old fled Iran and came to Canada hardly two years ago as a refugee. For almost a year, she's been working at Kim's Nails and Spa on Tecumseh Road W. in Windsor.

"She's beautiful and really talented. She is a good person and was happy to be in Canada to build her own new life here," said Kim Lam, owner of the spa.

"Whatever she did, she did an excellent job."

Lam said coming to Canada was "moving forward" for Shahbazian, who also worked in the cosmetic industry in Iran. 

Shahbazian is a student at St. Michael's Adult Catholic High School to improve her English skills. Lam said she saw the difference the classes were making, from her first time interacting with her using Google Translate to "[having] conversation with the customers" – a testament, Lam said, to her quick learning. 

Lam said that even though "missed her family and her mom back home," Shahbazian spoke with them by phone every day. 

Lam said the staff are worried about Shahbazian, who sometimes walks to and from work. Lam last saw her on Saturday, Jan. 4.

"She left the shop at 6:15 p.m. and whatever happened after that, I don't know," Lam said.

"I just remember that that day, it was super cold and windy outside."

'Always energetic and smiling'

Sandra Boutros, Shahbazian's coworker, said she also saw her that day.

"[She's] always energetic, always smiling ...  and [she's] my friend too," Boutros said. "We would always make jokes together and laugh. She was a very happy person."

Boutros said "it was kind of weird" when Shahbazian didn't show up for work on Tuesday, Jan. 7, after the salon was closed Sunday and Monday. She says her coworker is usually punctual, if not early, and good about letting the salon know if she was running late. 

Lam said Shahbazian's case worker at school called her informing that she wasn't at school Monday night and Shahbazian wasn't answering her phone.

That day, Lam said, she also received calls from Shahbazian's family worried about her whereabouts. Since then, Lam says she's been in contact with her family.

"I treat her like my daughter, I care about her… It's very close. Ten hours a day we are together here," Lam said.

"Every night I wake up at midnight thinking about her."

A 'joy' to have in the classroom

Rebecca MacKay, a night school teacher at St. Michael's Adult Catholic High School, said she had been teaching Shahbazian since October 2024.

"She's always laughing. She's always making sure that the mood is lightened, especially before a big test," MacKay said.

"She will consistently make jokes in the class just to kind of give us a quick break. She's just a joy to have in [the] classroom."

MacKay said Shahbazian is always helping others in class and was herself a quick and eager learner, making her "one of the top students."

"There is never a negative day with her... She is always having something positive to say about her day. She loves her job, she loves learning. She's definitely one of the people who has made it like a family. I can't wait until I get to see her smiling in class again."

'Very genuine and kind hearted'

On Monday, a candlelight vigil was held outside the spa to make prayers for her safe return. In attendance was Amanda Smith, a patron of the spa for 15 years and one of Shahbazian's first clients.

"She was very genuine, kind hearted, and always had a smile," Smith said. 

"There was a lot of language barrier at first and we got through it and she did it with a smile all the time."

Smith said they have laughed about how things have changed from their first meeting to just just a couple of weeks ago being her, and her granddaughter's, go-to at the spa. 

"It's concerning and I'm just hoping for the best. I'm trying to stay positive with prayers… I'm hoping that we can pick up where we left off," Smith said. 

"She came here for a better life opportunity and then this happens. It's heartbreaking."

Search enters 10th day

Windsor police say they are still investigating and have no updates to share. Police have confirmed they were investigating along the riverfront last week in relation to the case. 

Shahbazian is described as a 5'5 tall woman with a medium build, brown eyes, and black hair, and was last seen wearing a light brown coat, dark pants and white sneakers.

Lam and Boutros urge businesses and residences around her shop and riverside area to check their surveillance cameras for footage that might help find Shahbazian.

"I hope she is out there and all we can do now is pray," Boutros said.