Featured Image Credit: The CW/TikTok /ohheychanel/TikTok
Topics: Los Angeles, Film and TV, US News
Callum Jones
Topics: Los Angeles, Film and TV, US News
Gossip Girl star Chanel Maya Banks is said to have mysteriously disappeared, with her family launching a desperate search to find her.
The 36-year-old actor vanished in Los Angeles two weeks ago, and she was last heard from on 30 October when she texted her cousin, Danielle-Tori Singh.
She told ABC7 News: "Five days without hearing from my cousin is red flags and alarm bells. She doesn't go more than 48 hours without speaking to me or her mom...That girl is more like a big sister to me."
Banks' relative also went on to claim the actor's husband hasn't been cooperating with authorities or the family.
Advert
The family say they recently entered the apartment she has been living in with her husband to find a bunch of her belongings still there, but her laptop and phone were missing.
Singh added of the husband: "He's not willing to help LAPD. He's not willing to help me or her mom find her. He is removing flyers off of posts and cars."
The cousin has launched a GoFundMe so they can 'hire a private investigator' as they have doubts police and local officials are not taking the search seriously.
The fundraiser states: "LAPD have told us because there’s no signs of foul play, and her husband has not committed any crime by withholding information, there’s nothing they can do until they have evidence or probable cause to arrest him.
"We also need money for hotels, food, rental car and gas. We are not from Los Angeles. I flew in from Toronto, Canada and her mom flew here from New York.
"Chanel has no family or friends here and would NEVER go somewhere without telling her mom. Please help us find my cousin."
Banks is best known for playing Sawyer Bennett in the third series of the popular TV show Gossip Girl, while also appearing in the likes of Blue Bloods and Twelve.
The actor has been officially listed as a missing person in California, and has a missing person case number of #241414853.
While talking to the press, Singh spoke further about her cousin's husband, claiming they have spoken to him about his wife's whereabouts.
"She does not want to be found, she will reach out when she's ready," the husband reportedly claims.
"He claims he does not know where she is, he says he hasn’t seen or heard from her since November 7, but never called police to say she’s gone," Singh added.
LADbible Group has contacted the LAPD for a comment.