Chanel Maya Banks, a 36-year-old actress known for her role in “Gossip Girl,” disappeared from her Playa Vista, California apartment on October 30, 2024, prompting extensive search efforts by family members who flew in from out of state. After two weeks without contact, which relatives described as highly unusual behavior, the Los Angeles Police Department announced on November 13 that Banks had been located safe in Texas, though family members disputed the findings and continued advocacy efforts.
A two-week disappearance that sparked widespread concern and family-led search efforts ended when Los Angeles police announced that actress Chanel Maya Banks, known for her roles in “Gossip Girl” and “Blue Bloods,” had been located safe in Texas on November 13, 2024.
The 36-year-old actress vanished from her Playa Vista, California residence around October 30, 2024, prompting alarm from family members who reported that Banks typically maintained close contact with them. When more than two weeks passed without communication, relatives flew in from out of state to initiate search efforts and assist local authorities.
Police conducted welfare checks at Banks’ apartment on November 7 and 8, finding the residence empty both times. Family members gained access to the apartment on November 10, discovering that Banks’ car, dog, and personal belongings remained at the location, while her phone and laptop were strikingly missing. The missing persons report was filed on November 8, approximately ten days after Banks was last seen.
The investigation expanded across state lines, with authorities following leads from Los Angeles to Texas. During this period, Banks’ family organized public appeals and established a GoFundMe page to raise awareness and support their search efforts, utilizing social media platforms to maintain public attention on the case. Banks’ cousin Danielle-Tori Singh flew in from Toronto to assist in the search efforts and distributed flyers in Banks’ neighborhood to raise awareness. The GoFundMe page was later suspended by the platform.
LAPD officials reported on November 13 that Banks had been found safe in Texas, stating that no crime was suspected and no evidence of foul play had been discovered.
However, the announcement created controversy when family members disputed the police findings, asserting that the woman located in Texas was not Banks and maintaining that the actress remained missing.
The announcement sparked controversy as family members disputed police findings, claiming the Texas woman was not Banks.
The case received extensive media coverage from major outlets, highlighting both Banks’ entertainment career and the unusual circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The conflicting narratives between law enforcement and family members generated public confusion and speculation about police-family communication gaps.
Despite LAPD’s assertion that the case was closed, family members continued their advocacy efforts, citing irregularities in the circumstances and expressing ongoing concerns about Banks’ welfare and whereabouts.
