The family of missing Columbia native and Broadway star Zelig Williams offered an emotional plea for anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward.
Williams, 28, was reported missing by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department on Oct. 5. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and the Williams’ family held a news conference Wednesday to beg anyone with information to come forward.
Williams’ mother, Kathy Williams, stood at the podium for all of 30 seconds, in tears, pleading that someone with information about her son’s disappearance speak out.
“I just love Zelig, and I want him to come home,” Kathy Williams said. “He’s all I got, he’s all I got. Please bring my baby home.”
She is the mother of three children, including two daughters who died in a car accident in 2004, according to a family member.
“That’s why it’s extremely difficult for her to be seen or to speak because, as you can understand, she has some serious pain in her heart in missing her son in this moment,” Mieoki Corbett-Jacobs, Williams’ cousin, said about Kathy Willliams.
Lott said that his department has been working tirelessly to locate Williams.
“We feel confident there’s people out in the community who may know something that could help us,” Lott said. “I will tell you that we have used every means of manpower and technology that’s available ... and we’re going to continue to search until we find him.”
Williams, who was last seen Oct. 3, is a 2014 graduate of Dreher High School. He performed on Broadway and was a cast member of the smash-hit show “Hamilton” in 2016. Williams also appeared in the 2022 Broadway performance of “MJ The Musical” in a variety of roles, and also has traveled on actor Hugh Jackman’s world tour as a vocalist/dancer.
“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 on Thursday. “Zelig we love you and are praying for your safe return.”
Jackman’s message amplified the search and got the attention of national news.
Williams’ dance coach, Carolina Lewis-Jones ⏤ affectionately referred to as his “dance mom” ⏤ said she’s known him since he was 11 years old, adding that the dancer, singer and actor was her “muse.”
“He’s truly the most talented individual I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Lewis-Jones said. “He’s an angel when he sings.”
Williams was last at his home in the 400 block of Longwood Road, Richland County deputies said in a news release. That’s in Columbia, between Bluff and Garners Ferry roads, not far from Exit 9 on Interstate 77.
A family member contacted the sheriff’s department Friday, Oct. 5, saying Williams had not been heard from since the previous day.
It’s not clear if Williams was alone when he was last seen, but the vehicle he was driving was found in the Congaree National Park area, the sheriff’s department said. That’s about 12 miles from Williams’ home.
Of chief concern is the fact that Williams is dependent on medication.
“Most people know Zelig for being a dancer,” Corbett-Jacobs said. “But he was more than that. He was a light to our family.”
Anyone who has seen Williams, or has information about him, is asked to call 911, or CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip.
Local News
