Antoinette Forbes, a 53-year-old Washington, D.C., mother, has been missing since Sept. 4 after she was last seen at her home in Northwest Washington. Her family became alarmed when friends found her dog alone inside, while her car, phones and wallet remained at the property. Police have reclassified the case as critically missing and are treating the home as an active crime scene. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
| 1) | Last known sighting and police classification |
| 2) | Family members discover warning signs |
| 3) | Home remains restricted during investigation |
| 4) | Family describes Forbes and appeals for help |
| 5) | Description and public information request |
Last known sighting and police classification
Antoinette Forbes was last seen at about 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, at her home in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. The Metropolitan Police Department initially classified the matter as a missing-person case. According to family friend Elizabeth Northrup, authorities reclassified Forbes as critically missing in less than 24 hours.
Under department guidelines, a critically missing person is someone believed to be in danger or facing life-threatening circumstances. The classification has prompted police to seek information from the public while detectives continue working to determine what happened and where Forbes may be.
Family members discover warning signs
Aileen Forbes, Antoinette Forbes’ sister, said the two women spoke by FaceTime on the morning after the last reported sighting while discussing plans to visit their mother in Florida during the holidays. They also maintained regular contact by text and video calls.
After Aileen Forbes tested positive for COVID-19 around Labor Day, she contacted her sister because Forbes has an underlying health condition that could make the illness more dangerous. When repeated messages and calls went unanswered, she asked nearby family friends to check the house. The friends had a key and found the family dog, Max, alone inside. The dog had relieved himself indoors, which the family said suggested he had been left without care for some time. Forbes’ car was still in the driveway, and her phones and wallet were inside the home.
“I knew immediately something was wrong,” Aileen Forbes said.
Home remains restricted during investigation
The family contacted police after the friends entered the property and discovered the unexplained absence. Aileen Forbes said investigators told relatives that the home is being treated as an active crime scene. No family members, including Forbes’ sister, have been allowed to enter since police began processing the scene.
Detectives have not provided the family with significant public details about the investigation, according to Aileen Forbes. She said investigators have remained in contact with relatives and are continuing to accept information that could help locate Forbes. The family said police have been working continuously since the case drew immediate attention.
Family describes Forbes and appeals for help
Aileen Forbes said nothing about her sister’s personal or professional life suggested that she would voluntarily disappear. She described Forbes as successful, happy and deeply devoted to her 10-year-old son, Nathan, as well as the family dog.
The family is urging anyone who may have seen Forbes or noticed anything unusual around her Northwest Washington home to contact police. Relatives say their priority is finding her and bringing her home safely.
“Antoinette, you know how much we love you. You know who loves you. Keep the faith. We are not going to give up. We are going to bring you home,” Aileen Forbes said.
Description and public information request
Police describe Antoinette Forbes as 5 feet 2 inches tall and approximately 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last known to be in Northwest Washington on Sept. 4, 2026. The department has issued a missing-person notice and is asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward.
People with relevant information should contact the Metropolitan Police Department. The request applies to anyone who may have seen Forbes, her vehicle or activity connected to her home around the time she disappeared.
| 1 | Forbes was last seen Sept. 4 at her Northwest Washington home. |
| 2 | Police upgraded the case to critically missing within 24 hours. |
| 3 | Her dog was found alone, while her car, phones and wallet remained at home. |
| 4 | Investigators are treating the residence as an active crime scene. |
| 5 | Police are asking the public for information about her whereabouts. |
Summary
The disappearance of Antoinette Forbes remains under active investigation in Washington, D.C. The circumstances reported by her family, including the unattended dog and belongings left inside the home, led police to classify the case as critically missing. Authorities continue to restrict access to the residence and are seeking information that could help locate Forbes.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Antoinette Forbes last seen?
Forbes was last seen at about 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at her home in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
Why was the case classified as critically missing?
Police use the classification when a person is believed to be in danger or facing life-threatening circumstances. The case was reportedly upgraded from missing to critically missing in less than 24 hours.
What should someone do with information about the case?
Anyone with information about Forbes’ whereabouts, her vehicle or activity near her home should contact the Metropolitan Police Department.
