Police Investigate Antoinette Forbes Disappearance in Washington DC

Antoinette Forbes, a 53-year-old communications executive and mother, disappeared from her Washington, DC, home after friends found her belongings, car, and dog inside while she and her 10-year-old son appeared missing. Police later confirmed her son was safe, while the investigation continued.

According to CNN, Elizabeth Northrup received a late-night call on Labor Day asking about Forbes. Friends found the front door unlocked, with Forbes' wallet, phones, laptop, and dog Max still inside the home.

“Is Antoinette with you?” Elizabeth Northrup asked her friend during the call.

“No,” Elizabeth Northrup responded over the phone.

“Why, what’s going on?” Elizabeth Northrup asked her friend.

“Something’s wrong … the police are here at her house,” a friend told Elizabeth Northrup.

Forbes' family described her as a dedicated professional who built a life in Washington after graduating from Cornell University with degrees in English literature and biochemistry.

“That was my sister,” Aileen Forbes said.

“I think she always wanted to strike out on her own,” Aileen Forbes said.

Forbes worked at Porter Novelli before developing a career in executive communications. Her friends described decades of shared experiences, including trips, celebrations, and family milestones.

“We would always do these splurge birthday dinners,” Holly Wetzel recalled.

“Money that we did not have!” Elizabeth Northrup added.

Friends remembered Forbes as generous and humorous, including moments when she brought leftovers and “road bread” from gatherings.

“She was the reference for my adoption,” Rachel Clark said.

“We actually got the call (to adopt our daughter) that weekend,” Rachel Clark said.

“So, she always claimed credit that she manifested it to happen according to her plan,” Rachel Clark said.

Forbes' sister said her career success did not replace her desire to build a family. She later had a son with Russell Ashford after the relationship began.

“As important as her career was for her, she knew it wasn’t enough,” Aileen Forbes said.

“She wanted something beyond that … she did want a family,” Aileen Forbes said.

Friends recalled that Ashford initially appeared charming when they met him. Forbes and Ashford maintained separate homes after their son was born.

“Oh, I’m glad that she’s found this guy … they seem to be into each other,” Holly Wetzel said.

“I didn’t have red flags,” Holly Wetzel said.

“(Antoinette and) Russell hadn’t been dating that long when she ended up getting pregnant,” Elizabeth Northrup said.