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Unexpected twist after Aussie actress goes missing in LA

An Australian woman who was feared missing in Los Angeles has been found after those close to her feared the worst.

Laura McCulloch, an actress living in the US, was last seen going on a date on Friday night, but she wasn't heard from or seen by friends in the days that followed.

But as it turns out, the 37-year-old hadn't gone missing at all — she'd been holed up in a jail cell.

Actress Laura McCulloch blue top red skirt missing person arrested
Laura McCulloch was reported missing after a date on Friday night but unbeknown to her family, she'd been arrested. Source: Facebook/Santa Monica Police Department

Woman's date ends with arrest

During her date at a Santa Monica restaurant, and just hours before her family in Australia reported her missing, Ms McCulloch was arrested for allegedly biting a police officer and showing "obvious signs of intoxication".

Rudy Flores from Santa Monica Police Department told media that Ms McCulloch was alleged to have thrown a drink at a fellow diner and their two-year-old child before police arrived at the scene.

While conducting the investigation, Ms McCulloch allegedly"charged at the officers while yelling expletives".

"Despite efforts to calm her, McCulloch continued to display aggressive behaviours," police said.

"During efforts to detain her, she became physically combative, kicked at officers and bit one officer on the shoulder."

The actress was allegedly taken into custody for public intoxication and resisting arrest and remained in custody for four days.

Actress Laura McCulloch missing LA
The Melbourne woman's family filed a missing pern's report and a social media campaign to help find Ms McCulloch. Source: GoFundMe/Facebook

Frantic search for missing actress

During this time, her family in Australia grew worried having heard she "didn't show up to work or her yoga class," her sister Claire, from Melbourne, told Nine News. Her phone had also been switched off.

Upon investigation, members of her family discovered she had ordered an Uber or Lyft ride from the restaurant but she never got in it, a source told News Corp Australia.

A GoFundMe page was set up to help find Ms McCulloch, with the belief she was in danger, and a campaign was launched on social media.

As far as her family knew, the actress was last seen going on date with a stranger she apparently met online.

The family had also hired a private investigator, it's been reported. But the search was called off when they located her.

The family filed a missing-person report with the Los Angeles Police Department but they hadn’t come across the arrest information until Tuesday.

Local police also told news.com.au that it's the responsibility of those arrested to contact loved ones, in this case Ms McCulloch

"The arrestee is allowed phone calls. Based on what occurred, I am assuming she never called her family to let them know," a spokesman for Santa Monica PD reportedly said.

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