Her phones, wallet, car and dog were left behind. Nearly a week later, a DC mother is still missing

Search Continues for Washington Mother Missing From Her Home

Activelifezero.com – Police and relatives are seeking information about Antoinette Forbes, a 53-year-old Washington, DC, woman who vanished from her home nearly a week ago under circumstances her family describes as deeply troubling.

Forbes was last seen in person on Friday, September 4, in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW. The Metropolitan Police Department has issued a missing-person poster and says its investigation remains active.

Her disappearance has alarmed those close to her because several essential belongings were still at the house. Family and friends say Forbes’ two phones, wallet, laptop and vehicle were left behind. Her dog, Max, was also inside, and the front door had been left unlocked.

Family Holds Out Hope

Forbes is described as an Asian woman with black hair and brown eyes. She is 5 feet 2 inches tall and weighs about 115 pounds. Police have not identified what she may have been wearing when she disappeared, and they have not released details about her 10-year-old son.

Her older sister, Aileen Forbes, said the family has been overwhelmed by fear while trying to remain hopeful.

“We’re in absolute shock and horror. We have our own very close-knit immediate family, but we have a very large extended family. We’re horrified.”

Aileen said she is resisting thoughts of the worst possible outcome as loved ones continue looking for Antoinette.

“I am trying really hard not to even conceive of that … because it would mean that my family is destroyed. I’m still trying very hard to keep the faith and the strong, harsh belief that I’ve had from the start that my sister is alive.”

Elizabeth Northrup, a friend of Forbes who has been helping Aileen during the search, said those close to Forbes do not believe she chose to leave. Friends and law enforcement have checked hospitals, Northrup said, and there is no indication that Forbes traveled by air.

“She did not walk out of that house and go voluntarily.”

An Ordinary Weekend Before Contact Stopped

The sisters had spoken as they normally did on a weekend morning shortly before Forbes was reported missing. Aileen said they talked by FaceTime on Saturday about their plans for the coming days. They expected to speak again the following day, but that call never happened.

As more time passed without a response, Aileen’s concern intensified. She said she tried to contact her sister after learning she had Covid-19, but heard nothing back. The silence was unusual for a woman she describes as busy, dependable and closely connected to her family.

“She’s a very busy woman. She’s got a full life. Single mother, highly successful professional.”

Forbes works as associate vice president and head of public affairs at Eli Lilly, information listed on her LinkedIn profile shows. A spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company said it is supporting police efforts and hopes she returns safely.

“We are deeply concerned for Antoinette and are thinking of her and her family in this uncertain time. We hope for her safe return.”

For her family, however, her professional accomplishments are only part of who she is. Aileen said Antoinette’s central priority has always been raising her son.

“(He) is Antoinette’s life. Antoinette is a 100% solid, reliable, intelligent, competent woman who is a devoted mother. She would never leave her son. She wouldn’t leave her dog. She wouldn’t leave her sister who needs her.”

Friends Found Belongings Left Inside

By Labor Day, Aileen had become worried enough to ask two family friends, Louis and Margarita, to check the home. The couple lives nearby and has a key.

Margarita sent Aileen a message after entering the house.

“I think something happened.”

Aileen said that text immediately filled her with dread.

“My heart stopped after I read that text.”

Louis then called with more details. Forbes’ work phone and personal phone were inside, along with her wallet and laptop. Her car remained in the driveway, while Max was still at the residence. Forbes herself was nowhere to be found.

Investigators have not publicly discussed whether the home had surveillance cameras or whether footage from the area has been reviewed. Police also have not disclosed further details about the active investigation.

Why Public Attention Can Matter

Missing-person cases can involve many different circumstances, including voluntary departures, medical emergencies, missing children and possible crimes. The FBI’s Crime Information Center recorded roughly half a million missing-person reports in the United States last year. Each case requires its own assessment, and families often depend on both law enforcement work and public awareness to generate leads.

Forbes’ relatives are asking anyone who may have seen her or who has information that could help locate her to contact the Metropolitan Police Department. Even a detail that appears minor could help investigators establish where she was last seen or identify possible activity around her home.

As the search continues, the family’s focus remains on bringing a mother, sister, friend and colleague home safely.