Maurice Young

Maurice Young was a man who had built a new life for himself in Canada. Born in Iraq as Maurice Yacoob, he immigrated to his new country and adopted the name Young, a symbol of his fresh start. He settled in Toronto, Ontario, where his entrepreneurial spirit flourished. Over the years, he became a successful businessman, the owner of several properties and stores, creating a life of promise and achievement far from his homeland. His business ventures eventually expanded to the nearby city of Hamilton, a decision that would tragically place him in the path of violence.

In 1987, Mr. Young was involved in a significant real estate transaction for a property located at 1 Duke Street in Hamilton. The deal was on the verge of closing when complications arose, causing the transaction to collapse. The failed deal did not end there; it deteriorated into a contentious lawsuit, creating a conflict that investigators believe would ultimately cost Mr. Young his life. He continued to manage his business interests, including a property on Upper James Street, an arterial road on the Hamilton Mountain.

On the evening of December 14, 1987, the business dispute took a violent turn. As Maurice Young stood in the parking lot of his Upper James business, he was confronted by a man described as being in his 20s. The two engaged in a heated exchange before the younger man suddenly pulled out a gun and shot the Toronto businessman. The shooter fled the scene, leaving Mr. Young critically wounded. He was rushed to a local hospital for emergency surgery, beginning a harrowing three-month fight for his life.

Despite the severe injuries, Mr. Young survived the initial attack. His recovery, however, was complicated by a series of strokes that significantly impacted his memory and ability to communicate. In the lucid moments he had, he was able to indicate to investigators that he recognized the man who shot him. He affirmed their suspicions, stating his belief that the attack was directly connected to the ongoing lawsuit over the Duke Street property. His courageous struggle ended on March 19, 1988, when he succumbed to the gunshot wounds inflicted three months earlier.

The investigation into the homicide was launched by the Hamilton-Wentworth Regional Police, now the Hamilton Police Service. Based on the information provided by Mr. Young before his death and their own investigation into the property dispute, detectives were able to identify a person of interest. An arrest was made in connection with the murder, bringing a brief sense of hope that justice was within reach. However, for reasons that have not been publicly detailed, the individual was never formally charged, and the case stalled.

Decades later, the murder of Maurice Young remains an open and unsolved case with the Hamilton Police Service's Homicide Unit. As of February 2026, his file is part of the city's cold case records, a reminder of a life cut short and a crime unpunished. Investigators believe that after more than three decades, people who were once reluctant to come forward may now be in a position to share what they know. There is no statute of limitations on murder, and police hold out hope that a crucial piece of information could finally provide answers and justice for Maurice Young. Anyone with information about this homicide is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 905-546-3829.