22-year-old model Ataui Deng has been found alive in a New York hospital two weeks after being reported missing by her ex-boyfriend.
Deng's friend and fellow model Ajak Deng raised the alarm on social media, posting a call-out on Instagram asking for people to step forward with information. Her post read: "MISSING: My friend Ataui Deng has been missing for 10 days. She was last seen in the Lower East Side of New York City. She is 5 feet 10 inches tall and slim. If you see her please email FindAtaui@gmail.com. Thank you."
The Village Voice says that Deng – who is also Alek Wek's niece and has modelled for Proenza Schouler, Vivienne Westwood and Kenzo – was last seen at a party in Hell's Kitchen, New York. Actor and PR Grant Monohon, who used to date Deng, reported that she was behaving "irregularly" before she left the event and disappeared. After four days, he reported her as a missing person to the police.
Deng's agency, Trump Models, tweeted out an SOS to its followers. Even Rihanna rallied around the cause (the pair first worked together when Deng was cast in the campaign for RiRi's River Island collection).
Deng's friend, celebrity chef Roblé Ali, told NBC News that Deng had sometimes disappeared for a day or two if she needed some space – but said that she had never disappeared for any longer than that.
Earlier today, Trump Models confirmed on Twitter that Deng had been found, with Ali posting on Instagram that the model had been found "safe and sound", writing: "I want to thank all of our friends and followers and especially the NYPD for their swift and dedicated response."
