NEW YORK — A desperate search is underway for Zelig Williams, a former Broadway dancer who appeared in hits like “Hamilton” and “MJ the Musical,” after he was reported missing in South Carolina.

Williams, 28, was last seen driving near Congaree State Park on the morning of Oct. 3, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.

He left his home in Colombia, where he lives with his mother, just before 10 a.m. like he usually does — except this time he didn’t come back, his aunt told the local affiliate by Fox, WACH.

About 10 minutes later, Williams’ family was contacted by one of his friends in New York, who told them that she had received an SOS alert from the dancer’s phone, indicating that there had been a car accident. location, those close to him told “Good Morning America.” SATURDAY.

They reported Williams missing the next day, after going 24 hours without hearing from him. They told authorities the lack of communication was “out of character.”

A deputy on patrol on the afternoon of Oct. 4 located Williams’ vehicle in a parking lot at the Wateree crossing of the Palmetto Trail — a 500-mile stretch that crosses the state — but there was no sign of Williams . Police also noted that the car did not appear damaged and there was no evidence of any accident.

In the days following his disappearance, residents of Colombia rallied to help find the missing dancer. Over the weekend, volunteers joined authorities as they canvassed the area around the Wateree Crossing, a task that lasted the better part of a week, WISTV reported. They also used boats to search the Congaree River, just 10 minutes from the parking lot where Williams’ car was found.

Meanwhile, members of the Broadway and dance communities took to the Internet to publicize Williams’ case, including film and theater star Hugh Jackman. In a story shared on Instagram earlier this week, the “Wolverine” actor called on anyone who may have information on Williams’ whereabouts to contact law enforcement.

“Zelig, we love you and pray for your safe return,” Jackman wrote. “Please spread this message!!! »

Williams performed on Jackman’s 2019 concert tour, “The Man.” The music. The show. He most recently danced in the jukebox musical “MJ the Musical,” based on the life of Michael Jackson, and joined the cast of “Hamilton” in 2016.

Williams’ disappearance comes just months after he moved from New York to his hometown of Columbia, where he taught dance classes.

“He was always someone who wanted to give back,” Mishay Petronelli, a teacher at the Broadway Dance Center, told ABC 7. “And it was so special that he was teaching and giving back what he had learned here in New York.” a professional dancer.

Police described Williams as 6 feet tall with short black hair, a birthmark on his throat and skin pigmentation on his hands and legs. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and brown flip-flops.

He allegedly left his home without his prescription medication, according to WACH.

Detectives said her disappearance was being investigated as a missing persons case, with a potential for foul play.

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Williams’ family with any expenses related to the ongoing search.