Search escalated to highest priority in North York
Toronto police have declared their search for a missing 63-year-old woman a Level 1 incident — the service’s highest priority for missing-person investigations — and are appealing to residents in North York for assistance.
Officers say the woman, identified as Ann Marie, was last seen shortly before 6 p.m. on Aug. 8 in the area of Eglinton Avenue East and Bermondsey Road, near Victoria Park Avenue. Police describe her as about 5 ft. 7 in. tall with a slim build and shoulder-length blonde hair. At the time she was wearing a white top, black pants, reading glasses and brown running shoes.
Investigators say they are concerned for her safety. She speaks with a Scottish accent and, while approachable, may appear confused.
Resources on the ground and public appeals
At a command post established in the area, Duty Insp. Jonathan Rose outlined the scale of the response and called on neighbours to help by reviewing local footage and checking properties.
“It is the highest priority search we have for missing people. It involves as many resources as we require, for example, K9, the mounted unit,”
Rose said the service has deployed its missing persons unit and is drawing on emergency management specialists to coordinate any ground searches. Officers have already searched nearby green spaces and are canvassing for video from commercial and residential properties.
- Deployed resources: K9 units, mounted unit, missing persons unit, emergency management experts.
- Public requests: Residents asked to check garages, sheds and other outbuildings; review dash-cam and security camera footage; report any sightings.
- Last known location: Eglinton Ave. E. & Bermondsey Rd. (near Victoria Park Ave.), shortly before 6 p.m., Aug. 8.
What neighbours are being asked to do
Police emphasised neighbours could play a crucial role in locating the woman. Officers are canvassing nearby homes and businesses for footage and eyewitness accounts. In particular, residents in the immediate area have been asked to:
- check garages, sheds and other outbuildings that might conceal a person who is confused or incapacitated,
- review dash-cam or doorbell-camera footage from the time around her disappearance, and
- report any information to the Toronto Police Service through its normal non-emergency reporting channels.
Local context and concerns
The intersection named in the police bulletin sits within a mix of residential streets and green space. In communities like this, missing-person cases quickly mobilize neighbours and community organisations; police officers say quick circulation of footage and door-to-door checks can be decisive in the early hours of an investigation.
The escalation to a Level 1 search underscores the urgency the service places on finding people who may be at risk. The involvement of K9 and mounted teams indicates police are prepared for an extensive ground search across parks, ravines and residential properties if necessary.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 63 |
| Last seen | Shortly before 6 p.m., Aug. 8 |
| Last known location | Eglinton Ave. E. & Bermondsey Rd. (near Victoria Park Ave.) |
| Description | 5 ft. 7 in., slim build, shoulder-length blonde hair; white top, black pants, reading glasses, brown running shoes |
| Concerns | May be confused; speaks with a Scottish accent |
Police are asking anyone with information or footage relevant to the search to contact the Toronto Police Service. Neighbours are encouraged to remain vigilant and share any observations with investigators as the search continues.
The community response and the speed with which residents check local cameras and outbuildings can materially affect the outcome of a missing-person investigation. Toronto police say they will continue to coordinate search operations from the command post in the neighbourhood until further notice.
