Mystery surrounds Markham, Ont. woman who 'disappeared without a trace,' timeline raises questions
The timeline surrounding the disappearance of a Markham, Ont. woman has left more questions than answers after York police said she went missing "without a trace" nearly three weeks ago.
Isabella Dan, 53, was last seen at her home, in the area of Water Walk Drive and Verclaire Gate, on March 3 at around 8:30 p.m.
According to York Regional Police (YRP), she was last seen leaving her home wearing a beige coat with a fur collar and black pants, and was carrying a red gym bag.
“And then suddenly, (she) vanished and disappeared without a trace,” YRP Const. Maniva Armstrong told CTV News Toronto Wednesday.
Armstrong said Dan’s sudden disappearance is considered “very unusual,” and her case has been turned over to York police’s Homicide and Missing Persons Unit.
A 2022 grey Land Rover, which investigators believe to be Dan’s vehicle, was left outside of her residence.
Armstrong noted Dan was an avid member at a nearby LA Fitness gym, near Woodbine Avenue and Highway 7, which is roughly three kilometres away from where she was last seen.
CTV News Toronto has learned that Dan scanned her membership card at the LA Fitness on the same day she was last seen, but at 7:46 a.m.
Her gym profile was also scanned five days later on the morning of March 8.
Police have since canvassed several LA Fitness locations in the area in an effort to locate her.
“We have somebody that works in the city of Markham, that has a consistent schedule, contact with people, and [is] known to be a resident in the city of Markham, and then suddenly, vanished,” Armstrong said.
CTV News Toronto travelled to Dan’s law office on Wednesday, but there was no answer at the door and calls to the practice went unanswered.
At this time, York police say there’s no information to confirm that this is an abduction, but they are concerned about her whereabouts.
“She hasn’t showed up to her workplace, and it’s really concerning to us, and to her friends, her colleagues, and people that know her,” Armstrong said.
York police describe Dan as being five-foot-seven with a medium build, brown eyes, and black hair.
Anyone with information is asked to contact YRP or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.1800222tips.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.

Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Air Canada says to expect further travel disruptions following Thursday's IT issues
Air Canada says travellers should be prepared for further flight disruptions as it works to return service to normal following a technical malfunction Thursday.
'Torch has been passed': What younger generations need to know about inheriting a family cottage
As more Canadians pass their family cottages down to the next generation, 'major shifts' in the ownership of recreational homes will occur, according to Re/Max. But amid concerns around the cost of housing, some may be wondering whether they can afford to keep that family cottage. Here's what younger generations need to know about inheriting a recreational property and the market today.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Poilievre tries to head off PPC vote as Bernier bets on social conservatives
Pierre Poilievre is off to Manitoba to rally Conservative supporters ahead of a byelection that Maxime Bernier is hoping will send him back to Parliament. The far-right People's Party of Canada leader lost his Quebec seat in the 2019 federal vote and lost again in the 2021 election.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
Trudeau continues to stand by David Johnston despite calls that he step down
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is committed to keeping David Johnston in place as Canada's special rapporteur on foreign interference, despite a majority of MPs voting in favour of his stepping down from the gig.