Community Urged to Help Find Missing Broadway Dancer
The family of Zelig Williams, a talented Broadway dancer who has been missing since October 3, is calling on the South Carolina community for help as the search becomes increasingly urgent. Williams, just 28 years old, was last seen at his home in Columbia, and the situation is growing more desperate by the day.
At a heartfelt news conference on Wednesday, his cousin, Mieoki Corbett-Jacobs, made an emotional plea to the public. “Our plea and our ask is to pay attention, look at his face on the flyers and pictures. He might have facial hair; he might not,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “We beg you to please pay attention and bring him home.”
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department reported that Williams was last seen on October 3. His family filed a missing person report the very next day when he failed to reach out to them. Sheriff Leon Lott stated that deputies have exhausted every available resource, utilizing both manpower and technology to locate Williams. Now, they are reaching out to the community for assistance.
“We feel confident there are people in the community who may know something that could help us and just don’t realize they hold that last key to the puzzle,” Lott explained.
A Dancer’s Acclaimed Career
Zelig Williams is not just a name; he’s a celebrated performer with credits in notable productions such as “Hamilton” and “MJ The Musical.” His absence has left a void not only in his family’s life but also in the Broadway community. As the days pass without leads, his family has enlisted the help of private investigator Chandra Cleveland to aid in the search. Cleveland is keenly aware of the troubling trend known as “missing while Black syndrome,” where cases involving Black individuals often receive inadequate media attention.
“I like to tell everyone that even if you go an hour without speaking to someone, if that’s not their usual pattern, something needs to be done,” Cleveland said. “That’s exactly what this family did; they reached out for help immediately.”
Last Sightings and Disturbing Signals
According to a report from the sheriff’s department, Williams' mother saw him leave their home just before 10 a.m. on the day of his disappearance. Shortly thereafter, his friends in New York received a troubling SOS message from his iPhone. “At 10:10, three of his friends received an SOS ping from his cell phone, which is not long after he left the house,” Corbett-Jacobs said, noting the urgency of the situation. The iPhone can be programmed to alert emergency contacts if it detects a hard fall or an accident, making the SOS message particularly alarming.
Williams was reportedly seen driving near Congaree National Park. The following day, a deputy found his vehicle parked over 20 miles from his home at a parking lot for the Palmetto Trail, a hiking route in the state. Corbett-Jacobs noted, “The lot where the car was parked had only been there a little over a year; we weren’t even familiar with the space.”
Given that Williams had been living in Columbia for only a few months, his family doubts that he would know the area well enough to be at that specific location. Moreover, they are concerned about the condition of the vehicle, which showed no signs of an accident that could have triggered the SOS message.
“He didn’t wander off. This is definitely a missing persons case with suspected foul play,” Corbett-Jacobs stated firmly.
The Vulnerability of Mental Health
Compounding the distress, Corbett-Jacobs revealed that Williams had recently stopped taking medication prescribed for his mental health. This lapse could leave him in a vulnerable state, possibly appearing distressed or disoriented. “That would put him in a situation that he would be very, very vulnerable because he might appear to be in distress or maybe even in a trance-like state,” she explained through tears.
The family’s anguish is palpable, especially since Williams is the last surviving child of his mother, who tragically lost both her daughters in a car accident in 2004. “That’s how it all started. That’s why it’s so special when you see him perform because he’s dancing with his sisters in his heart,” Corbett-Jacobs said, reflecting on the deep familial ties that motivate their search.
To honor Williams and mark the last time he was seen, family and friends gathered for a moment of silence at 9:52 a.m. on Monday. “We had a moment just of prayer, just to let him know that we are still here; we want him home,” Corbett-Jacobs shared.
A Community Rallying Together
As the search continues, Cleveland and the family are retracing Williams' last known movements, reviewing surveillance footage to gather more information. “We’re getting all the camera footage that possibly had him coming this way to confirm his directions of travel,” Cleveland said.
Cleveland specializes in missing persons cases, particularly those involving Black individuals. The story of Williams has garnered increasing attention, especially among his Broadway colleagues, who have been instrumental in raising awareness. Actor Hugh Jackman, who previously worked with Williams, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt plea for his safe return.
The dance community has been shaken by the news of Williams’ disappearance. Caroline Lewis-Jones, his dance coach, described him as “the most talented individual I’ve ever met in my entire life.” She continued, “He’s just the epitome of a friend and a talent and a creative… We love you, Zee; we see you, and we want you home.”
A Mother’s Heartbreak
The emotional weight of the situation is most evident in Williams’ mother, Kathy, who broke down during the news conference. Struggling to articulate her pain, she repeatedly said, “He’s all I got.” Her grief is a poignant reminder of the impact of missing persons cases on families, especially when the stakes are so high.
As the community comes together to assist in the search, there’s a growing hope that someone will come forward with information that could lead to Williams' safe return. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department has expressed its commitment to following up on every lead and every piece of information.
If you or anyone you know has information regarding Zelig Williams’ disappearance, please reach out to local authorities. Every detail, no matter how small, could be the missing piece needed to bring him back home. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated—each day that passes adds to the anxiety of a family desperately longing for news.
In a world where everyone is connected, the power of community cannot be underestimated. Together, we can help raise awareness and find Zelig Williams. Let’s keep his story alive and ensure that his family feels supported during this unimaginably difficult time.
Login