Police search for missing Markham woman in rural area

York Regional Police are searchinga rural area in Whitchurch-StouffvilleTuesday, after a Markham woman was reported missing "under suspicious circumstances"last week.

Yuk-Ying (Anita) Mui, 56, has not been seen or heard from since Friday morning.Days after she was last seen, investigators said they were searching a rural area alongVandorf Side Road in Stouffville,east of Highway 404.

According to investigators, Mui's family last saw her when she left her home in the area of Baycliffe Road and Warden Avenue around 9:30 a.m. She then spoke to family members again at 11 a.m. that same morning, police said.

"Since then, our investigators have been piecing together a timeline of her whereabouts and making every effort to locate her," Const. Lisa Moskaluk told reporters at command post set up in the areaTuesday.

"Through investigation, we have identified this area as one of the locations that Mui was due to visit on Friday."

Mui, who is a Realtor at a brokerage based in Richmond Hill, has a2024 white Mercedes Benz SUV that was found by police Friday afternoon in the area of Finch Avenue E. and Warden Avenue in Toronto.

Mui is described as Chinese, about five-feet, six-inches tall and 130 poundswith a medium build. She has brown eyes and straight, shoulder-length black hair. She was wearing a blue, gold and white knee-length dress and black shoes when she was last seen.

Moskaluk said the area investigators have identified is a "very large area to cover," adding that police's K9 unit, marine unit, air support, ground search and rescue and forensic identification team are helping in the search for Mui.

"We have deployed all available resources to thoroughly conduct a search for any evidence that Mui was here or to further her whereabouts," she said.

Joseph Lau, who knows Mui, said she is a very active member of the community.

"We are concerned and we hope that she can return safely, it has [been] five days already," Lau told reporters Tuesday.

"She's good for the community and does a lot of charity. It's sad that she is missing."

York police's homicide unit has taken over the investigation.They are looking to speak with anyone who may have seen her vehicle or have information about the incident.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact York police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.