Officials in South Carolina are searching for Broadway performer Zelig Williams, who went missing last week near a popular hiking trail.
Williams, 28, a local dance coach who has previously performed in Hamilton: An American Musical and MJ the Musical, was last seen by his mother, Kathy, at her home on Longwood Road in Columbia on October 3.
After his family filed a missing person report the next day, officials found his car in the Palmetto Trail parking lot near Congaree National Park.
Williams aunt, Christine McLaughlin Barber, told WACH: Around 9.50am Thursday morning, he left just normally as he would. About ten minutes later, we received an SOS ping from his phone from one of his friends in New York, indicating a crash.
Williams, 28, a local dance coach who has previously performed in Hamilton: An American Musical and MJ the Musical, was last seen by his mother in Columbia on October 3
Upon further investigation, they discovered there was no crash. Williams had not returned home the previous night.
His aunt, Michelle Mclaughlin-Barber, further added that Williams car was found with the key inside, as well as a profile photo of him that hed use for show auditions, the Post and Courier reported.
We have no idea what his intentions were when he left the house with that photo, she said.
Deputies from the Richland County Sheriffs Department and family members have since been trying to find the South Carolina native, who returned home in July from New York City to teach at local dance studios, according to the Post and Courier.
The State Department of Natural Resources crews flew helicopters over the Congaree River, and waterway searches by boat have also been taking place.
After his family filed a missing person report the next day, officials found his car in the Palmetto Trail parking lot near Congaree National Park
His, Cousin Mieoki Corbin-Jacobs, said: We cant describe it, its devastation. Its devastation for someone who is so close to his family to just disappear like that…theres no way to describe it
All-terrain vehicles, drones and dogs have also been used in the search.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told WIS: Weve searched on foot in the air of various locations.
Other investigative techniques that we will use involving cell phones and some other things that I dont want to discuss at this point.
Authorities further noted that Williams is in need of prescribed medication and had not taken any before his disappearance.
Williams grew up in and began his training in dance and choreography in Irmo, South Carolina and has a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University
Authorities further noted that Williams is in need of prescribed medication and had not taken any before his disappearance
His cousin, Mieoki Corbin-Jacobs, told WIS: We cant describe it, its devastation. Its devastation for someone who is so close to his family to just disappear like that…theres no way to describe it.
In 6th grade he started dancing with Southern Strut, and that speared off into Dreher High School, he was doing theater and dance there as well.
That of course led him to Broadway, which a lot of people know him for as well. He came back home to bring that talent and teach others.
Williams grew up in and began his training in dance and choreography in Irmo, South Carolina and has a BFA in Commercial Dance from Pace University.
The experienced artist has also traveled on Hugh Jackmans world tour as a vocalist/dancer, and trained under Kirsten Russell and Martha Nicholas as a dance assistant.