Vigil Held for Missing D.C. Mother a Week After She Vanished, Leaving Phones, Wallet, Car and Dog Behind

Washington — A week after Antoinette Forbes disappeared from her Northwest Washington home, family, friends and supporters gathered at National Presbyterian Church on Saturday night to pray for her safe return and to keep attention on a case that has left loved ones stunned.

Forbes, 53, was last seen in person on Friday, Sept. 4, in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Police have released a missing-person poster and are asking anyone with information to come forward.

The circumstances are troubling: Forbes' two phones, wallet, laptop and car were left behind at her home, along with her dog, Max. The front door was unlocked, her family and friends said. She did not take her car, and a friend said she has not flown.

Police have not released information about Forbes' son. Forbes is described as an Asian woman, 5 feet 2 inches tall and about 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities have not said what she was wearing when she disappeared.

Her older sister, Aileen Forbes, told CNN the family is reeling.

"We're in absolute shock and horror," Aileen Forbes said Thursday. "We have our own very close-knit immediate family, but we have a very large extended family. We're horrified."

The Metropolitan Police Department told CNN the investigation is active but declined to share additional details. Police also declined to say whether the home had surveillance cameras, whether investigators reviewed any footage or whether they canvassed neighbors for video.

Elizabeth Northrup, a friend of Forbes who is staying with Aileen Forbes as the search continues, said they do not believe Forbes left voluntarily.

"Law enforcement certainly checked all the hospitals. We also have had friends check hospitals. She has not flown," Northrup said. "She did not walk out of that house and go voluntarily."

The search comes amid a vast national problem. The FBI's Crime Information Center recorded about a half-million missing-person reports last year, a figure that includes voluntary disappearances, missing minors, kidnapping victims and others. How aggressively a case is pursued can vary, and experts have long noted that race and news coverage can influence which cases receive sustained public attention.

For Forbes' family, the wait has become agonizing.

"I am trying really hard not to even conceive of that ... because it would mean that my family is destroyed," Aileen Forbes said. "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."

The Saturday vigil at National Presbyterian Church marked one week since her disappearance. A flyer for the gathering described it as a "show of love, strength and hope for her safe return."

Alison Williams, who said she has known Forbes for nearly 30 years, told CNN affiliate WJLA that the experience has been harrowing.

"I know so many other families have gone through similar experiences. It doesn't change how difficult it is, not only for her friends, but especially for her family who are so desperate to see her back," Williams said.

Just days before Forbes was reported missing, the sisters had spoken by phone as usual on weekend mornings, Aileen Forbes said. They FaceTimed on Saturday morning and talked about their weekend and the week ahead — an ordinary conversation between two sisters who were especially close.

They planned to talk again the next day, but Aileen Forbes never heard from her. As days passed without contact, the family grew more concerned. Aileen Forbes said she knew something was wrong when she reached out to tell her sister she had Covid-19 and got no response.

"She's a very busy woman. She's got a full life," Aileen Forbes said. "Single mother, highly successful professional."

Forbes works as associate vice president and head of public affairs at Eli Lilly, according to her LinkedIn page. A company spokesperson told CNN that Eli Lilly is supporting police efforts to find her and encouraged anyone with information to contact authorities.

"We are deeply concerned for Antoinette and are thinking of her and her family in this uncertain time," the spokesperson said. "We hope for her safe return."

Aileen Forbes said her sister's role as a mother is central to who she is. Forbes has a 10-year-old son.

"He is Antoinette's life," Aileen Forbes said. "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."

After days passed without a word, Aileen Forbes alerted family friends Louis and Margarita, who live near Forbes' home and have a key, to check on her. That was Monday, Labor Day. Margarita texted Aileen Forbes after entering the home.

"I think something happened," the message said, according to Aileen Forbes.

"My heart stopped after I read that text," she said. Louis then called and described what they found.

Inside were Forbes' two phones, including her work phone, as well as her wallet and laptop, her friends and family said. Her car was in the driveway. Her dog, Max, was at the house.

But Forbes was gone.

Aileen Forbes said the waiting has become its own kind of torment.

"Today it's getting harder," she said. "We're getting later into the week, and some of the dark reality is hitting me."

Forbes' friends and family are not ready to give up hope. They are asking anyone who may have seen something — however small — to come forward.

"We need to know what happened," Aileen Forbes told CNN. "Someone had to have seen something, anything, some small thing, seen her. We need the evidence that's going to enable the police to do their jobs and bring Antoinette home."

Police are asking anyone with information about Forbes' whereabouts to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

Rachel Clark, who said she has known Forbes for 13 years, shared a Facebook post appealing for help in finding her. Clark said those who love Forbes "are doing everything we can to keep her name, her face and her story in front of as many people as possible."

"She is brilliant, hilarious, feisty, fiercely loyal, and the kind of person who shows up for the people she loves," Clark wrote alongside photos of Forbes.

Clark told CNN she misses her friend and is "eager to bring her home." In her post, she urged the public to look at photographs of Forbes and to contact police with any information that could help locate her.

"Antoinette, there are so many people looking for you and fighting for you," Clark wrote. "We love you. We miss you. And we will not stop until you are home."

This story has been updated with additional information.