It's been more than a week since a Broadway dancer who wowed crowds while performing in Tony Award-winning shows such as “Hamilton” went missing, and his family pleaded Sunday for any information that could lead to his safe return.
Zelig Williams, 28, had been living with her mother in her hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, since the summer and organizing special dance workshops. Kathy Williams last saw her son the morning of Oct. 3 and everything seemed normal after he left, her cousin Miyuki Corbett Jacobs told NBC News.
Later that day, one of her son's friends who lived in New York City got in touch to say that they had found an SOS Alert on her phone on October 3rd indicating that the dancer had been involved in a car accident.
In the early hours of Oct. 5, police found his car parked in a Palmetto Trail parking lot near Wharrey, South Carolina, with no signs of an accident, Corbett Jacobs said.
Zelig Williams' family, friends and community maintain faith that God is with him, he added.
“It’s very, very difficult,” Corbett Jacobs said. “It’s a fight, but they are close to believing Zelig will come home.”
His mother asked anyone with information to contact the Richland County Sheriff's Department. She also warned that her son needs medication and could become very weak when it is available.
“And please share on social media…not just like,” said Kathy Williams. “Share this far and wide, share it with everyone they know, because it will spread.”
NBC News has reached out to the Richland County Sheriff's Department and the Columbia Police Department for more information.
The 28-year-old starred in two critically acclaimed musicals, including “MJ: The Musical” and toured with Hugh Jackman on the actor’s “The Man” tour. Music. Show.” Jackman posted about Zelig Williams on his Instagram Stories over the weekend.
“PLEASE… IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF ZELIG WILLIAMS PLEASE CONTACT LOCAL AUTHORITIES,” Jackman wrote above a photo of the dancer. “Zellig, we love you and pray for your safe return.”
Caroline Louise Jones met Zelig Williams when she was just 11 years old. He was one of her first dance teachers and worked with her in recent years as part of her non-profit dance organization. One of the reasons he fell in love with teaching, Jones said.
Of the thousands of students she taught over the years, Jones said Williams was one of the most special dancers she worked with.
“Zellig, when he walks into a room, you just want to be with him. … He makes you want to be better,” Jones said.
She described him as kind, compassionate and vivacious. As a dancer, Jones said, she was hardworking and determined.
She is a person who cares about everyone she is with, and when you dance with Williams, you are inspired to be better, Jones said.
Williams' two sisters died in a car accident years ago, a tragedy that was part of her desire to create dance and choreography, she added.
“Dance was her voice, for sure, and the way she expressed herself best,” Jones said.
Jones was with her when she hosted some of her recent workshops, which she said she really wanted to help share with students about the ins and outs of Broadway auditions. The first time she saw him teaching children at his company, Jones said she started crying when she saw “the light in his eyes.”
“He was born, not just to act, but he was definitely born to teach,” Jones said.
