An Australian actress feared missing by her family for not calling after a first date has spent the past four days in a jail cell, DailyMail.com can reveal today.
Laura McCulloch, 37, had told her family she was going to meet a man through a dating app and even sent them a photo of her outfit before she left on August 12.
But after she failed to show up for work, yoga class and her other regular commitments, her family raised the alarm and sparked an online manhunt for the actress.
They said she was last seen at the trendy Japanese chain restaurant Gyu-Kaku in Los Angeles and that she was going to meet someone she interacted with on “Bumble or Tinder.”
DailyMail.com can now reveal she was locked up in a prison cell after allegedly throwing a drink at another customer and resisting police – a bite on the shoulder.
Santa Monica police confirmed that McCulloch was arrested Friday, shortly before her family raised the alarm that she had apparently disappeared.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, she is being held for a felony, with a $25,000 bail.
Officers were called to reports of McCulloch throwing a drink at a fellow diner and their two-year-old child.
McCulloch reportedly showed “clear signs of intoxication” as he yelled at the officers and “blamed” them.
Laura McCulloch, 37, was arrested Friday after allegedly throwing a drink at another restaurant owner and their child. Santa Monica police have confirmed she was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest
DailyMail.com can reveal that she was indeed arrested and that her family was unaware of the situation after she filed a missing persons appeal after meeting a man on a dating app and not contacting them
According to an arrest report, McCulloch attacked the officers while yelling expletives after police were called to the scene. She was supposed to meet someone for a date at a Japanese restaurant in LA arranged on ‘Bumble of Tinder’ on Friday, August 12
Her family, who launched a missing persons appeal on social media, were unaware that she had been arrested when contacted by DailyMail.com.
McCulloch was pictured in her mugshot wearing the same top she wore on her date, which her sister shared on social media.
In a statement, the Santa Monica Police Department said: “On Friday, August 12, 2022, at approximately 8:30 p.m., officers from the Santa Monica Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Arizona for what was reported as a battery.
According to the reporter, a woman, later identified as Laura McCulloch, threw a drink at a restaurant owner and their 2-year-old child.
“On arrival, officers contacted Ms. McCulloch who showed obvious signs of intoxication.
“While conducting the investigation, McCulloch attacked the officers while yelling expletives.
“Despite attempts to calm her down, McCulloch continued to be aggressive. During attempts to hold her, she became physically combative, kicking officers and biting an officer in the shoulder.
“Laura McCulloch, 37, from Australia, was arrested, transported to Santa Monica Prison and held for public intoxication and resisting arrest.”
Her friends and family started their own missing persons search, claiming that the LAPD had not yet considered her a missing persons case when contacted.
Her sister Clare, left, launched a missing persons call on social media after McCulloch failed to contact them after her date
Frustrated by the lack of help from LA detectives, the family has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for a private detective. McCulloch’s sister and friends shared the last photo taken before she disappeared
Her family, who launched a missing persons appeal on social media, were unaware that she had been arrested when contacted by DailyMail.com
The actress is reportedly in Los Angeles County Superior Court and will be heard accordingly.
Her niece Merrie McCulloch told DailyMail.com: ‘Yes, I can confirm she is in safe hands and have also been asked to assist the media with the information that she has been found, and thank you for your support.
“It’s all very minor details at the moment, but until we know Laura’s current state and what her wishes are in terms of media coverage, we’ll scale it back for now and focus on her well-being.”
Her sister Clare posted on Instagram: “She has been found safe and sound.
“The family would like to thank everyone for your help and support during a traumatic time.”
Her friends and family started their own missing persons search, claiming that the LAPD had not yet considered her a missing persons case.
The family has also alleged that the Santa Monica restaurant – the Japanese barbecue Gyu-Kaku – where she had arranged to meet her date, had refused to release security footage without a police warrant.
A staff member at the restaurant claims the incident took place outside the property and no one inside has contacted police.
Frustrated with the lack of help from LA detectives, the family has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for a private investigator — who has currently raised AUD$1,000.
The page updated those searching for the actress saying she had been found, adding: “According to multiple sources in the US, Laura has been successfully found!
“At this current stage we cannot confirm what condition she is in and if further financial support is needed, but I will do my best to provide an update as soon as it is available.
The family has alleged that the Santa Monica restaurant – Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – where she was meeting her date refused to release security footage without a police warrant
In the meantime, I can confirm that it was only through the efforts of her wonderful friends and family that she was successfully found and I am sure they would like to pass on their sincere appreciation for your contributions and incredible support thus far. ‘
Laura McCulloch moved to LA after settling in New York in 2021, where she worked as an actor, singer, voice-over artist, writer and producer.
Her only film credit in 2022 is an indie short film called “Covid Support Group,” directed by American filmmaker Abigail Bogle.
In March 2021, she played Madame Le Farge in an American stage version of A Tale of Two Cities at Bob Jones University in South Carolina.
In between roles, she has also worked as a nanny.
In 2010 she appeared in an Australian short film called The Black Sheep and in 2009 she had a supporting role in a film version of classical ballet The Nutcracker.
Daily Mail Australia has asked the Los Angeles Police Department for comment.
