Actress Chanel Banks, known for her roles on Gossip Girl, Blue Bloods, and Twelve, was reported missing by her family two weeks ago. Fortunately, authorities have confirmed that Banks has been located safe, but her family is expressing doubts about the situation.
Banks’ family filed a missing persons report with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) after she disappeared from her apartment. On November 11, authorities confirmed she was found in Texas, and they stated that no foul play was involved. “She is fine,” LAPD spokesperson Charles Miller told People magazine, adding, “She has been taken out of the missing person system and our investigation is closed.”
However, Banks’ family disagrees with the findings and has publicly criticized the media for reporting that she was safe. Danielle-Tori Singh, Banks’ cousin, took to Facebook to accuse TMZ of spreading “fake news.”
The situation began when Banks’ family, including her mother, Judy Singh, flew from New York to California to search for her. They became concerned after Banks’ phone was dead, and her car and dog remained at her Playa Vista apartment. A GoFundMe campaign was even launched to aid the search.
But recent posts on Banks’ verified Instagram account suggested she was safe and had simply chosen to distance herself from her family due to past issues. One post read, “Please do not donate to any GoFundMe that says I am missing. I am not missing.” The posts also revealed that Banks had traveled to Texas because of family-related conflicts, including a pursuit of conservatorship by her husband’s family.
In an interview, Banks’ husband, Carlos Jimenez, explained that she had decided to sever communication with her family. Despite this, Singh continues to question the authenticity of the person found in Texas, claiming that surveillance footage shows someone who appeared different from Banks.
Singh also disputed the identification of the woman found, noting that the woman had Banks’ New York driver’s license, which she claimed was outdated and expired. Singh has urged the public not to stop searching for her cousin, believing that Banks may still be in danger.
The investigation is ongoing, and the LAPD has not provided additional details.
