The family of Gossip Girl actress Chanel Maya Banks are desperately searching for her after she mysteriously disappeared in Los Angeles two weeks ago.
The star, who played Sawyer Bennett on the hit TV show, has not been seen or heard from, and her family claim her husband is not cooperating with the police.
Banks' mother, Judy Singh, and cousin Danielle-Tori Singh have flown in to assist with the search after becoming concerned when they hadn't heard from her for several days.
Speaking to ABC7 News, Danielle said: "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 had been living with her husband for a year before her family lost contact with her, reports the Mirror.
They found her belongings, including her car and dog, at their home, but her laptop and phone were missing. Danielle has been distributing flyers in Banks' neighbourhood asking for help, but claims the actress' husband has been unhelpful and even removed the flyers.
She accused: "He's not willing to help LAPD. He's not wiling to help me or her mom find her. He is removing flyers off of posts and cars."Banks, who tied the knot with her partner last November, has reportedly taken a step back from acting to concentrate on her writing, her cousin revealed. Singh expressed a deep concern, saying she feels "something is not right".
"We're crossing two weeks now without a word, without a sound. Nothing," she told ABC7 News. A GoFundMe page has also been established to support the search efforts.
In conversations with other media outlets, Singh recounted to KTLA 5 the last message she received from Banks on October 30, vowing: "I'm not going to leave California until I find my cousin."
She conveyed a heartfelt plea to Banks in case she was listening, stating: "We love you so much. We just want to know you're okay and that you're safe and that nobody did anything to you."
Banks' mother has called on her followers to pray for her daughter, admitting the family is in the dark about her current situation. The police have confirmed their involvement in the case to the publication, noting they've conducted several welfare checks at Banks' residence this month, but found her absent each time.
Banks moved to Los Angeles a decade ago to pursue her acting career, with roles in 'Gossip Girl', 'Blue Bloods', and the film 'Twelve'.
On the GoFundMe page, which has raised $3,000 towards a $20,000 goal, Singh stated: "She [Banks] would NEVER go anywhere without telling her mom or myself. We noticed on November 10 that her husband has a busted lip and marks and scratches on his neck and arms. Police were called on November 10 and they took pictures of his injuries, which he did not have two days ago when police did the last welfare check.
"We asked him where is Chanel, and all he continues to say is 'she does not want to be found, she will reach out when she's ready'. 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."
She further explained the purpose of the fundraising effort: "I'm creating this go fund me because we need to hire a private investigator. LAPD have told us because there's no signs of foul play, and her husband has not committed any crime by with-holding information, there's nothing they can do until they have evidence or probable cause to arrest him.
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"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."
One donor commented: "I hope Chanel is found safe and sound and that the truth comes to light. Praying for Chanel and the family," as they contributed to the fund.
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