Police are appealing for information after what they say is considered an “unusual” and “suspicious” disappearance of a Markham woman.
York Regional Police are searching for 53-year-old Isabella Dan, who was last seen on March 3, at around 8:30 p.m., near her home in the Water Walk Drive and Verclaire Gate area.
In an interview with Global News, York Regional Police Const. Maniva Armstrong said investigators have also located a vehicle belonging to Dan near her home, in the Warden Avenue and Highway 7 East area.
Armstrong said the vehicle seems to “have been left or abandoned in that area of the residence.”
According to Armstrong, Dan was also an “avid member” of the LA Fitness gym in the area.
“Anybody that knows her from there (or) has seen her, we’re looking for any and every type of information,” she said. “And whether you feel that it’s relevant or not — it’s important for us in our investigation.”
In a news release issued earlier this month, police said investigators are concerned for her well-being adding that the circumstances around her disappearance are “suspicious.”
Armstrong said the force’s homicide and missing persons unit takes over investigations where there is concern for foul play or it is an “unusual circumstance.”
“In this circumstance, we can’t say for certain that there’s any foul play involved,” she said. “But the circumstance of her just missing and disappearing with no contact or connection with anyone is certainly concerning to us.”
Police said Dan is five-feet-seven-inches tall with a medium build. She has brown eyes and long, dark hair.
Dan was last seen wearing a beige coat with a fur collar, black pants and was carrying a red gym bag.
Armstrong said officers are “concerned because we don’t know where she is,” adding that friends, colleagues and family of Dan have “not been able to locate or confirm with us that she is in good health.”
“So there’s definitely a heightened concern for her well-being right now,” Armstrong said.
According to court records obtained by Global News, a statement of claim shows that Dan was facing a civil lawsuit claiming more than $1.8 million in damages relating to negligence in carrying out fraudulent mortgage transactions for clients.
None of the claims have been proven in court.
Anyone with information regarding Dan’s disappearance is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.