Friends of a missing D.C. woman gathered inside National Presbyterian Church on Saturday with flowers and candles in hand to pray for her safe return.
Antoinette Forbes is a member of the church, and her son, Nathan, regularly participates in programs.
Forbes’ loved ones and close friends have been asking for the community’s help to bring her back home.
They hosted the vigil to lean on each other and their faith to get them through until she is brought home, of course we know.
Forbes is a mother, a sister and someone who is loved inside of her community.
“It’s heartbreaking because I’m afraid she doesn’t have that smile on her face right now,” said Alison Williams, Forbes’ close friend.
That smile is something Williams remembers vividly when she reminisces about 30 years of friendship with Forbes.
“I met her when I was 21 years old, and for the last 27 years, there’s been a friend group, five of us, that has gone through marriages, divorces, families growing, and we’re very interested in seeing her return to her son,” William said.
Forbes was last seen on Sept. 4 near her home in Northwest D.C. Her family said they last spoke with her last Saturday and didn’t hear back from her during their weekly Sunday call.
For the last several days, investigators were seen going in and out of Forbes’ house, taking pictures and canvasing her vehicle. According to Forbes’ friends, police indicated that no one was allowed in the home and appeared to be treating the home as a crime scene.
News4 has learned prior to her disappearance and according to court records, Forbes had been involved in a years-long custody battle for her son.
Her loved ones said Forbes’ car keys, wallet and two phones were left inside, and her front door was unlocked when friends came to check on her.
Forbes is described as an Asian woman who is 5’2 inches tall with black hair and brown eyes. It’s unclear what type of clothing she was wearing at the time of her disappearance.
“I think having everyone here from all different parts of the country, every piece of her life, I mean that speaks to who Antoinette is,” said Rachel Clark, a close friend. “Antoinette is deeply loved.”
Clark has known Forbes for more than a decade and is hoping the pair can be reunited soon.
“She’s a devoted Mom, sister, friend, she’s family to a lot of us as friends organizing this,” she said. “We miss her deeply, we are eager to bring her home,”
Anyone with information that could help bring Forbes home is being asked to contact police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.
