Toronto community searches for PhD student missing since Thursday

TORONTO — The brother of a woman missing in Toronto says a widespread community search for his sister is helping his family get through a difficult time.

Zubair Afzal said more than 100 people have joined the effort to find his younger sister, 30-year-old Zabia Afzal, a PhD student who has been missing since Thursday.

Afzal’s family is heartened to know there are so many people concerned about her, the woman’s brother said.

“It’s the one thing that keeps us going,” he said Monday. “Looking at the friends, looking at the community that’s come out with support. We’re trying to have positive thoughts.”

Zubair Afzal said 15,000 posters have been plastered all over Toronto — from the east-end community where his sister was last seen to the downtown core and up to York University, where she is a student.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

“She’s a very smart, caring individual,” he said. “She especially fights for women’s rights.”

He says that his sister is also very communicative, so it’s out of character for her to disappear without telling anybody.

The family has also launched a social media campaign, and hundreds of people have tweeted and posted using the hashtag “FindZabia.”

Two police forces are investigating the disappearance. York regional police say she was reportedly last seen near Woodbine Beach in Toronto on Thursday morning.

Officers in York Region are collecting and investigating tips from the public, while Toronto police are searching the water around where she was last seen.

They’re asking anyone with information about Zabia Afzal’s whereabouts to come forward.

The Canadian Press

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version misspelled Zabia Afzal’s first name.