Toronto police seek missing 81-year-old man with dementia last seen near Steeles and Islington

TORONTO — Toronto Police have issued an urgent appeal to residents for help finding an 81-year-old man named Horace, also known as "Sunling," who went missing on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 8, in the city's northwest.

Concern for his safety is growing because he has dementia, a condition that can affect memory, a person's sense of direction and the ability to recognize places.

Police issued a new update on Monday morning that included an additional photo and more precise information about where he was last seen, in the hope of finding witnesses who can help determine his movements.

Toronto Police said they are concerned for his well-being and asked anyone with information to contact investigators.

Where was he last seen?

The initial statement said Horace was seen on Sunday, Nov. 8, at about 9:15 a.m., near Steeles Avenue West and Islington Avenue.

In an update issued Monday at 7:38 a.m., police disclosed an additional sighting the same day, at about 10:45 a.m.

Police said the man was walking south on Islington Avenue, south of Vanhill Avenue.

This information helps narrow the search area, but it does not confirm where he was headed or where he may have gone afterward.

Police did not disclose the circumstances before his disappearance, or whether he left his home alone.

Detailed description of clothing and appearance

Police released a number of details to help residents recognize him on the street or in public places.

Horace is about four feet five inches tall (roughly 135 centimetres) and weighs about 160 pounds (about 73 kilograms).

He has black and white braided hair that reaches neck level.

When last seen, he was wearing a yellow winter hat with a black brim, blue jeans, a blue denim jacket, a green flannel shirt and blue running shoes.

Police said his other name, "Sunling," may help people who know him or who came across him to remember him.

Why police are concerned

Police said Horace has dementia, without providing further details about his health or how much his memory is affected.

People with dementia can have difficulty determining where they are, returning home or asking for help, especially in an unfamiliar environment.

However, these general risks do not mean police have determined what actually happened to him, as no confirmed information has been released about his movements after the last sighting.

Locating him quickly remains a priority for the investigation, particularly as weather conditions change and missing people may face added risks while outdoors for long periods.

How to help police find him

Toronto Police asked anyone who has seen a person matching the published description to contact officers at 31 Division at 416-808-3100.

People who have surveillance or vehicle dashboard camera footage from the area can also review it for sightings that could help determine which direction he took.

Police stressed that there is no mandatory 24-hour waiting period to report a missing person in Toronto.

In cases of immediate danger, people should call 911, while 416-808-2222 is used to report non-emergency missing person cases.

As of the latest official update reviewed, the case is still listed as a missing person, and there has been no confirmation that Horace has been found.