Chanel Maya Banks’ family are desperate to find the actress after she mysteriously disappeared in Los Angeles two weeks ago – and claim her husband is not cooperating with police.
Banks, 36, appeared in episodes of the third season of Gossip Girl (2009) as Sawyer Bennett – one of Jenny Humphrey’s friends.
The actress’ family, including her mother Judy Singh and cousin Danielle-Tori Singh, have flown to Southern California to assist in the search.
Chanel had been living with her husband in an apartment in Playa Vista for a year before her relatives suddenly stopped hearing from her.
When they entered her apartment, they discovered that Banks’ belongings were still at the location, including her dog and car. However, her phone and laptop were not found.
Chanel Maya Banks, 36, has been missing for nearly two weeks – and her loved ones are desperate to find the actress who was last heard from on October 30
After not hearing from Chanel for days, her loved ones quickly became concerned as the actress was often in communication.
Danielle told me ABC7 News“Five days without hearing from my cousin are red flags and alarm bells.”
“She doesn’t go more than 48 hours without talking to me or her mom… That girl is more like a big sister to me.”
Singh has put up flyers near her cousin, but revealed that Chanel’s husband is not cooperating with the family and police.
“He’s not willing to help the LAPD. He won’t help me or her mother find her. He removes flyers from poles and cars,” she said.
Banks married her husband in November last year and uploaded a video of the day to her main TikTok account at the time. She was last active on the social media app in September.
Danielle told ABC7 News that Chanel recently left her acting career to focus on writing instead.
‘I can tell you in my soul, in my gut, that something is not right… We have now gone two weeks without a word, without a sound. Nothing.’
A GoFundMe page has been launched to help the family pay for a private investigator and to assist with their stay in Los Angeles
Banks married her husband in November last year and uploaded a video of the day to her main TikTok account at the time. She was last active on the social media app in September
According to her relatives, per KTL 5Banks moved to Los Angeles ten years earlier to pursue an acting career.
Along with Gossip Girl, Chanel – who also goes by the name Chanel Farrell – is known for appearing in the series Blue Bloods and the film Twelve.
Danielle told KTLA 5, “The last text we got from her before her phone went offline was on October 30th. I’m not leaving California until I find my cousin.”
She flew from Toronto to help search for Chanel, while the actress’ mother arrived from New York.
When Danielle discovered that Banks’ phone appeared to be dead and that her dog and car were still at her apartment, Danielle immediately contacted the police.
Los Angeles Police Department investigators confirmed to the newspaper that they are working on the case and have completed a total of four welfare checks this month, but each time Chanel was never in the apartment.
In an emotional message, Danielle told Chanel: ‘We love you so much. We just want to know that you are okay, that you are safe and that no one did anything to you.”
Banks’ mother, Judy, asked for prayers, telling KTLA, “Pray for my daughter because right now we don’t know exactly. [what happened].’
Banks, 36, is known for starring in episodes of the third season of Gossip Girl (2009) as Sawyer Bennett – one of Jenny Humphrey’s friends; Taylor Momsen (Jenny) seen above in New York in 2009
“We hear things here and there, people say this and that, but I know it’s not my daughter.”
A GoFundMe page was launched to help the family pay for a private investigator and to assist with their stay in Los Angeles.
Danielle wrote a description that said Chanel “has been married for just over a year and her husband is not cooperating with police.”
She revealed that both she and Judy had gained access to the apartment on Sunday, November 10, saying ‘all her belongings are still there’ apart from her laptop and phone.
“She would NEVER go anywhere without telling her mother or myself. On November 10, we noticed her husband had a busted lip and marks and scratches on his neck and arms.”
Danielle added: “The police were called on November 10 and they took pictures of his injuries, which he did not have two days ago when the police did the last welfare check.”
“We asked him where Chanel is, and all he keeps saying is, ‘She doesn’t want to be found, she’ll get in touch when she’s ready.’
‘He claims he doesn’t know where she is. He says he hasn’t seen or heard from her since November 7, but never called the police to say she’s gone.”
Family claims her husband is not cooperating with police
However, Danielle wrote that police do not suspect her husband of “foul play” and told the family that he “has not committed any crime by withholding information.”
“They can’t do anything until they have evidence or probable cause to arrest him.”
Finally, she wrote, “Chanel has no family or friends here and would NEVER go anywhere without telling her mother. Please help us find my cousin.”
As of Tuesday, the GoFundMe page has raised about $3,000 with a goal of $20,000.