MISSING: Dana Zelic (1999) - Hamilton, ON

1990s1990s MissingMissing

Jul 15

Written By SM

By S.M.

Published 07/15/20

Dana Zelic_Missing_Canada Unsolved.png — `Dana ZELIC`
`Missing since August 30, 1999 Hamilton, Ontario`
`Age at disappearance: 26`

The Disappearance of Dana Zelic

Dana Zelic was born November 12, 1972 in Hamilton, Ontario, where she grew up with one younger brother. She attended Delta Secondary School on Main Street West, and was described as a “so-so” student who enjoyed drama class.

After graduation, she took several years off to travel. For a while, she lived with a boyfriend. When the relationship ended, she moved into her mother’s apartment in Hamilton’s east end.

At 26 years old, Dana had enrolled in a tourism course at a vocational school downtown and planned to get a place of her own.

August 30, 1999

On the evening of August 30, 1999, Dana was asleep at the apartment. Her mother saw her at 2:30 a.m. By morning, she had vanished. She left behind her identification, money, clothing, medication and other personal belongings.

Initially, her mother assumed she had stepped out and would return. Dana never came home. She was never seen or heard from by anyone in her family again.

September 17, 1999 - The Photo

Dana was reported missing soon after she disappeared. Several weeks later, Dana’s mother saw a photo of her in the Hamilton Spectator, at a Take Back the Night march. The photo was taken on September 17, 1999 – after Dana was reported missing. According to one source, Dana looked “frail” in the photo.

August 2000 - The Call

One year later, in August of 2000, Dana called a male friend in Hamilton, who did not know she was missing. Dana said she was living in Mississauga, about 48 km away. No details about this call have been released. It’s unknown where Dana was, or who she was with, when she placed the call.

2002 - The Sighting

The last reported sighting of Dana was in 2002. One of her friends called police to report they had seen her at the Chapters bookstore in Hamilton. However, the Chapters in Hamilton - on Upper Wentworth - had closed in January of 2000. The only Chapters in the area at the time was located in Ancaster, on Golf Links Road. It’s possible the friend spotted Dana at this location. However, there is no available public information to substantiate these sightings.

Where is Dana Zelic?

It’s been 18 years since anyone has reported seeing or hearing from Dana Zelic.

Dana is described as 5'6", 100 lbs, with brown eyes & dark brown hair. She has a birth mark on the left side of her throat, is known to wear baggy clothing and has connections to the GTA and Brooklyn, New York. She also uses the names "Frankie," "Alex," and "Donna."

If Dana left with nothing, she must have had help. The circumstances of her disappearance are unknown, and her case is being investigated by the Hamilton Police Service Victims of Crime Unit.

Dana Zelic will be 48 years old this year.