Mystery swirls around sudden disappearance of Toronto-area lawyer

Multi-million dollar lawsuits, an abandoned luxury SUV and a sudden lack of communication are all parts of a mystery police are trying to unravel in the disappearance of a Toronto-area lawyer.

Isabella Dan, the 53-year-old owner of a law office in Markham, Ont., hasn't been seen in almost three weeks, leaving her friends and police concerned about her whereabouts.

Police have called the circumstances of Dan's disappearance suspicious and have now turned the case over to York Regional Police's Homicide and Missing Person Unit, CBC Toronto has learned. 

"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," York Regional Police Const. Maniva Amrstrong told CBC Toronto.

"And the concern is that there is suspicion or the possibility of foul play," she added. Investigators wouldn't share further details.

As the search for Dan continues, CBC Toronto has turned to publicly available financial and court documents that appear to shed some light on her life in the months before she vanished.

Meanwhile, police are once again appealing to the public for help and believe some who knew Dan have not yet come forward.

The last time Dan was seen was the night of March 3 at a condo building in Water Walk Drive and Verclaire Gate close to Highway 7 and Warden Avenue in Markham.  The area is humming with construction activity amid a handful of existing highrise condos. 

Police believe Dan lived at the building but it's unclear if she was last spotted inside or outside the building

Investigators have also not said where Dan was believed to be going that evening — only that she was wearing a beige coat with fur on the collar and black pants, carrying a red gym bag.

"We know through our investigation that she was an active member at an LA Fitness Gym Club that's also located near the residence," said Armstrong.

The gym is roughly three kilometres from the condo where she was last seen. Investigators are urging anyone who may have known her from the gym to get in touch, Armstrong added. 

Armstrong says Dan was reported missing by her colleagues after she failed to show up for meetings and to work. 

"As a result of that unusual behaviour it caused a lot of concern for the colleagues," she said.