The sister of a Washington, D.C., mother who disappeared last week said unsettling clues found inside the woman’s home made it clear almost immediately that something was seriously wrong. Police are now continuing their search after upgrading the case to a critically missing person investigation.
Antoinette Forbes, 53, was last seen at about 3 p.m. Friday at her residence in the 3200 block of Nebraska Avenue NW, the Metropolitan Police Department said. Authorities are urging anyone who may know where she is, or who has information that could help investigators, to contact police.
Family friend Elizabeth Northrup said police first listed Forbes as missing, then reclassified her as critically missing within 24 hours. Under Metropolitan Police Department policy, that designation is used when a missing person is believed to be in danger or potentially facing life-threatening circumstances.
“I knew immediately something was wrong,” Forbes’ sister, Aileen Forbes, told News Media.
Antoinette Forbes is seen with her son in Washington, D.C., in an undated family photo shared by relatives. Her son’s face has been blurred to protect his identity. (Aileen Forbes)
The sisters had spoken over FaceTime on Saturday morning while making plans to visit their mother in Florida over the holidays.
“It was just a fairly ordinary check-in with my sister, with whom I have regular contact — daily contact by text or on FaceTime,” Aileen said. “We were just talking about our plans for the holidays.”
By Labor Day, Aileen said she had tested positive for COVID-19 and texted her sister because she has an underlying health condition that can make the illness more dangerous. When repeated texts and FaceTime calls went unanswered, she grew concerned.
She contacted close family friends who live near Antoinette’s Washington home. The friends, who had a key to the house, entered the home and immediately noticed several troubling signs.
Antoinette Forbes smiles while wearing a navy blue baseball cap in an undated photo provided by her family. (Aileen Forbes)
“The text I got from Margarita… I think something happened to me that made my heart stop,” Aileen said.
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The friends found Antoinette’s dog, Max, alone inside the home after he had gone to the bathroom indoors, suggesting he had been left alone for some time, Aileen said. Her car remained in the driveway, while her phones and wallet were still inside the house.
The family immediately contacted police.
Aileen said investigators have told the family the home is being treated as an active crime scene and that no one, including relatives, has been allowed inside.
A Metropolitan Police Department missing person poster asks the public for help locating Antoinette Forbes, who was last seen Sept. 4, 2026, in Northwest Washington, D.C. (Metropolitan Police Department)
“No one has access to Antoinette’s home, not even me,” Aileen said. “In some ways, it’s my home too, and I have not been able to step foot in it.”
She said detectives have not provided significant updates but have remained in contact with the family and continue accepting information that could aid the investigation.
“I know that they have been working tirelessly since Monday afternoon… around the clock,” Aileen said.
Aileen said nothing about her sister’s life suggested she would voluntarily disappear.
“Antoinette has a full, rich life,” she said. “She’s an incredibly successful woman professionally, personally. She’s a happy woman.”
She described her sister as a devoted mother whose world revolved around her 10-year-old son, Nathan, and the family’s dog, Max.
Asked what she would say if her sister could hear her, Aileen responded: “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.”
Police describe Forbes as 5 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is urged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.