Markham realtor was 'targeted' and 'murdered,' transferred north in cargo van

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The charred remains of a woman found north of Parry Sound have been identified as that a missing Markham real estate agent.

York Regional Police revealed at a news conference Thursday that the body of Anita Yuk-Ying Mui, 56, was discovered Aug. 12 on private property near Avro Arrow Rd. and Hwy. 400 in McDougall Township – two-and-a half-hours north of Toronto.

Chief James MacSween said OPP from the Parry Sound detachment responded after receiving a report that human remains had been discovered.

“Yesterday (Wednesday), the Office of the Chief Coroner positively identified the deceased as Miss Mui,” said MacSween. “This is obviously not he outcome any of us had hoped for.”

Det.-Sgt. Gill, of the Homicide Unit, then spoke about the apprehension of three teenage boys but would not get into the details of their arrests due to the evidentiary nature of their connection.

“All three (youths) are persons of interest in this homicide investigation,” said Gill. “But their exact involvement as to what they did, or what they had to do with this investigation … is being investigated.”

Police explained that Mui was last heard from by a family member during a phone call on the morning of Aug. 9 around 11 a.m.

Later that day, her white 2024 Mercedes-Benz was found near Warden Ave. and Ellesmere Rd.

Police are also looking to identify a white 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cargo van that they believe may have been used in relation to her disappearance.

On Aug. 13, police were extensively combing a Stouffville property at 3821 Vandorf Sideroad – just east of Kennedy Rd. – that Mui may have visited after her Aug. 9 disappearance as part of a potential real estate transaction.

“That’s where Anita Mui disappeared from. And that property is of interest to us,” said Gill.

The trio of accused, who can’t be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, have not been charged with murder.

One boy, 17, from Whitby, is charged with unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon; unauthorized possession of a restricted weapon; possession of a firearm knowing its serial number has been tampered with; two counts of careless storage of a firearm, weapon, prohibited device or ammunition; two counts of possession of property obtained by crime; careless storage of ammunition; possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose; and two counts of fraud under $5,000.

Another 17-year-old boy, from Toronto, faces three counts of fraud under $5,000.

And a 16 year-old, also from Toronto, is charged with fraud under $5,000, failing to comply with a release order and failing to comply with probation.

“We believe at this time that Miss Mui’s credit cards were used by these (accused),” said Gill, alleging the youths made purchases in the GTA after the woman’s disappearance.

Two of the accused are now out on bail while one remains in custody, but Gill would not say who was still in custody.

York cops conducted a heavy ground search of the vast property on Aug. 13, assisted by their canine unit. They also surveilled the grounds from the air and had divers search a large murky pond at the rear of the property for evidence.

On Thursday, police crime scene seals could still be seen on the front and rear doors of the property.

The grass out front of the vast, somewhat shabby, split-level home was overgrown.

Neighbours described it as being located in the “millionaires row” area of Stouffville where there are some multi-million dollar homes.

jboland@postmedia.com