Broadway dancer from 'Hamilton,' 'MJ the Musical' missing in South Carolina

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Saturday, October 12, 2024
Search for missing Broadway dancer who mysteriously vanished
Search for missing Broadway dancer who mysteriously vanishedLindsay Tuchman has the latest on the search for a missing Broadway dancer.

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A 28-year-old Broadway dancer has been reported missing in Columbia, South Carolina.

The family of Zelig Williams, who has appeared in productions of "MJ the Musical" and "Hamilton," said they last saw him on the morning of Oct. 3 when he left his family's home.

His mother reported him missing after not hearing from him for 24 hours and family members told police it was out of character for Williams to go without contact.

Loved ones say he is in need of prescribed medication.

Actor Hugh Jackman, who worked with Williams on his "The Man. The Music. The Show." tour in 2019 posted on his social media account and asked for anyone with information to come forward.

"ZELIG we love you and are praying for your safe return," he wrote in part in a message shared to his Instagram story.

Fellow dancer Samantha Butts has known him for 10 years.

"I was devastated, I was absolutely devastated, it was really hard to hear," Butts said. "I think everyone together started posting about it, starting spreading the word. It was a very immediate reaction from everyone because, again, we are all so close-knit."

Mishay Petronelli is a teacher at the Broadway Dance Center.

"Zelig, is an artist and a beautiful human, like I just said," Petronelli said. "And he was always someone who wanted to give back and he wanted to give back what he learned here in New York City. And that was so special that he was teaching classes and he's giving back what he learned here in New York as a professional dancer."

Raised in South Carolina, Williams had moved to New York to pursue his dreams, but recently returned home and has been giving back to the dance community there.

"We are devastated and if he can hear us we want him to know we love him and want him to come home to us. It doesn't feel real and it's definitely brought together so many years of strut people that danced here back when we danced here that are rallying and sharing and doing what they can to get his face out there." Southern Strut Dance Company said in a statement.,

Authorities in South Carolina are asking for anyone with information to call RCSD at 803-576-3000 or contact Crime Stoppers at crimesc.com.

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