Toronto-Area Lawyer Suspiciously Disappears Amid Multiple Civil Cases, Investigation Underway

Isabella Dan, 53, a Toronto-area lawyer has been missing for almost three weeks after suddenly disappearing from in or around her home. Police state the circumstances of her disappearance are suspicious and there could be foul play involved. Dan was also said to be facing multiple civil court battles at the time of her disappearance.

Almost three weeks ago, Isabella Dan was last seen on the night of March 3 at a condo building in Water Walk Drive and Verclaire Gate in Markham. Police believe that she lived in the building, but public records do not show if she owned a condo in that complex. A grey Land Rover, believed to be associated with Dan, was found outside the building where she was last seen.

She was seen wearing a beige coat with fur on the collar and black pants, carrying a red gym bag.

Furthermore, Dan was involved in multiple civil court battles at the time of her disappearance. She is named in four cases at Ontario’s Superior Court involving allegations of fraudulent mortgages taken out on properties in the Greater Toronto Area. As per records, Dan sold her $2.75-million home in North York in August of 2022. She is also the owner of a $1.06 million home in North York, which she purchased in September 2020. Then, a year later, she placed a second mortgage of $600,000 on the property.

It should be noted that none of the claims have been proven in court. Glenn Cohen, a lawyer representing the plaintiff in two of the cases against Dan said, “The lawsuits for my client do not allege Dan facilitated, initiated or benefited from the alleged fraud. They plead claims of lawyer’s negligence and breach of contract, in that she failed to comply with the terms of the mortgage commitment, in particular regarding title insurance, and failed to advise the client about aspects of the transactions.”

Because of the circumstances surrounding Dan’s disappearance, police have handed over the case to York Regional Police’s Homicide and Missing Person Unit. “Some information has been brought to the attention of the investigators that led them to believe the circumstances for this particular case is unusual and out of character,” said York Regional Police Const. Maniva Armstrong. She added, “And the concern is that there is suspicion or the possibility of foul play.”

Vineet Washington