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
Prince Harry a no-show on first day of court showdown with British tabloid publisher
Prince Harry's phone hacking trial against the publisher of the Daily Mirror kicked off Monday without him present -- and the judge was not happy.

Depression, living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood may lead to faster aging: study
A new Canadian-led study has found that feeling depressed, along with living in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, may lead to premature aging.
What about Kristen, Leslie's rights, asks lawyer for Bernardo victims after transfer
Paul Bernardo should be returned to a maximum-security prison, the lawyer representing the families of his young murder victims said as he called on the Correctional Service of Canada to be more transparent about what led to his transfer to a medium-security facility in the first place.
Trudeau and ministers to provide update as wildfires burn in multiple provinces
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to provide an update on the wildfires that have forced thousands of people from their homes and caused widespread property damage in several provinces.
Watchdog's relations with spy community 'particularly strained' over last year
Newly released documents say the intelligence community's relationship with its key watchdog has been particularly strained over the last year due to a 'level of resistance' to scrutiny.
U.S. beats Canada 6-1, nets World Para hockey gold
Special teams played a difference on Sunday night as the United States scored two short-handed goals en route to a 6-1 victory over Canada in the World Para Hockey Championship gold-medal game.
Increase in mosquitoes 'a trend' across Canada this year. Here's why
Mosquitoes have always been pesky, but this spring it seems the bloodsuckers are thirstier than ever, a trend one expert says is increasing.
5 things to know for Monday, June 5, 2023
Prince Harry's a no-show in court, police in Quebec identify a victim of a tragic fishing incident, and federal officials to provide a wildfires update.
Adult victim in Que. fishing incident that killed 4 children identified
Quebec provincial police (SQ) have identified the adult victim of a fishing incident that claimed five lives over the weekend, most of them children. Keven Girard, 37, was among a group of 11 people swept up by the tide late Friday night while fishing along the shore in Portneuf-sur-Mer, a village about 550 kilometres northeast of Montreal.