Broadway Dancer Zelig Williams Missing In South Carolina; Hugh Jackman Appeals For Help
Broadway dancer Zelig Williams, who has performed in productions of MJ The Musical, Hamilton and Hugh Jackman’s 2019 tour The Man. The Music. The Show, has gone missing in South Carolina, with Jackman appealing for the public’s help in finding him.
“Please … if anyone has any information as to the whereabouts of Zelig Williams please reach out to your local authorities,” Jackman wrote in an Instagram Story last night. “Zelig we love you and are praying for your safe return.” Jackman added: “Please pass this message on!!!”
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The 28-year-old dancer, who had recently relocated from New York to his hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, to work as a dance teacher, was last seen by family members on October 3. He was reported missing by his mother and other family members on October 4, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The family told police it was “out of character” for Williams to be out of contact for an entire day.
His car was found in a parking lot near Congaree National Park about 20 miles southeast of Columbia. According to local media reports, the family was notified by a friend of the dancer in New York City that he had received an SOS cellphone alert from Williams’ phone indicating a car crash on October 3. The car found in the parking lot bore no signs of an accident.
Local law enforcement has conducted searches using helicopters, boats and drones. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott told local TV station WIS10, “We’ve searched on foot [and] in the air of various locations. Other investigative techniques that we will use involving cell phones and some other things that I don’t want to discuss at this point.” Lott added that Williams is in need of prescription medication.
Lott told the news channel that the case currently is being handled as a missing persons investigation, but that foul play has not been ruled out.
In a September 17 Facebook post, Williams wrote a message promoting his dance lessons. “We are 10 days away from Broadway Dance Bootcamp!,” he wrote. “Tickets are still available! Sign up here before it’s too late! Not only will be learning combos, but we will also be talking about headshots/ resumes, what attire to wear, and also ways to improve your performance while auditioning!!!”
“We can’t describe it, its devastation,” Williams’ cousin Mieoki Corbin-Jacobs told WIS10. “It’s devastation for someone who is so close to his family to just disappear like that … there’s no way to describe it.”
According to local law enforcement, Williams is a Black male with a light complexion, 6’0”, 150lbs, has short black hair, brown eyes, and a birthmark on his throat.
Williams most recently appeared on Broadway last year as a dancer and “Marlon Jackson” in MJ, the Michael Jackson bio-musical. He previously performed in the ensemble of Hamilton.
Anyone who may have seen Williams or has information is urged to call the Richland County Sheriff’s Department at (803)576-3000 or contact Crime Stoppers at crimesc.com.
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