Parents and Principal Plead for Help in Locating Missing Toronto Student

Michelle Yu, right, is shown with friend Pelin Tan. Yu has been missing since Tuesday prompting her family and school principal to issue an appeal for help in finding the Grade 12 student. (Toronto Star/Supplied Photo)

     Michelle Yu, an 18-year-old Toronto student who excelled at sports and academics, has been missing since Tuesday afternoon; not answering her phone or responding to messages sent to her through her Blackberry. The teen is reported to always have her phone on her and carries a charger with her so that she is always in touch with her family and friends. Yu is a popular student and an active member of her community, she was supposed to meet a fellow Girl Guide at York Mills station for a shopping trip to buy food for children but she never showed up.

     Three days after Yu went missing, her family spoke to the public for help in finding the missing teen, "I just want her to know we really care about her," said her younger sister Nancy in tears. "It feels like one long day and we haven't been able to sleep." The situation is further complicated because Yu has been without her daily medication for her heart.

A poster hangs outside York Mills Collegiate during a press conference Friday in Toronto to continue the search for 18-year-old student Michelle Yu. (Michelle Siu/National Post)

          Yu was last seen on video surveillance at a TD branch near Bay St. and Queen St. W. at 6 p.m. on the day she went missing. The Toronto Star reports that she was last seen wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and brown moccasins. For the full story click here.

     Family and friends have been canvassing the streets of Toronto in the hopes that someone with information will come forward. They have also been active online by creating a Facebook page and a website where up to date news can be found. Yu is 5' 7" tall and weighs 125 lbs. and is of Asian descent. It goes without saying that if you've seen her or have any information contact the authorities.

**Update** Michelle Yu has contacted her family. It's nice to have a happy ending to a horrific time in this family's life. They ask that everyone respects their privacy as they reconnect with their daughter.