An Australian actress whose frantic family reported her missing after she vanished on a date – only to learn from DailyMail.com that she had been arrested for drunkenly throwing drinks and biting a police officer – has been released from jail, glowering at the waiting photographers.
Laura McCulloch, 37, had told her family she was meeting up with a man from a dating app, and sent them a picture of her outfit before leaving her Los Angeles home on Friday.
But after she didn’t show up to work or her regular yoga class, her family raised the alarm and launched an online manhunt for the actress.
They were informed by DailyMail.com reporters that McCulloch had been arrested by Santa Monica police after allegedly throwing her drink at a child in a drunken stupor, and charging at a police officer and biting them.
McCulloch was held in jail for four days, and on Tuesday was released – still wearing her Friday night date outfit.
McCulloch appeared at the Airport Courthouse on Tuesday and was charged with a felony, according to online court records. Bail was set at $25,000.
Laura McCullouch, an Australian actress, is seen on Tuesday, released after four days in jail
The 37-year-old is seen hugging a friend as she leaves the Los Angeles facility
McCullouch was still wearing the red skirt and brown heels she wore for her Friday night date
McCulloch’s family raised the alarm on Tuesday, LAPD public information officer said
The Australian actress, who worked as a nanny in between acting jobs, is seen on Tuesday after her bail hearing
Her family began an online campaign to find her, unaware that she had been arrested for public intoxication
McCulloch, from the state of Victoria, is next due in court in September to face charges
Her friends and family started their own missing person search, claiming that the LAPD did not yet consider her a missing person case when contacted
Frustrated at the lack of help from LA investigators 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
DailyMail.com can reveal that she was in fact arrested, and her family were unaware of the situation after launching a missing persons appeal after she went to meet a man on a dating app and failed to contact them
Laura McCulloch, 37, was arrested on Friday after allegedly throwing a drink at another restaurant patron and their child. Santa Monica Police have confirmed that she was charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest
The exhausted-looking actress, from the state of Victoria, glared at photographers as she embraced a waiting friend outside the jail.
McCulloch and her friend then marched off.
The saga began when McCulloch arranged to meet the unnamed man at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, located at 231 Arizona Ave, in Santa Monica.
It is unclear whether he ever showed up, or what transpired in the restaurant – Gyu-Kaku staff told McCulloch’s family they could not share surveillance camera footage without a warrant.
A staff member at the restaurant claimed that the incident took place outside the property, and no one inside contacted the police.
At 8:30pm, however, Santa Monica police were called to the area after a battery was reported.
‘According to the reporting party, a female, later identified as Laura McCulloch, threw a drink at a restaurant patron and their 2-year-old child,’ Santa Monica police said in a statement.
‘Upon arrival, officers contacted Ms McCulloch who showed obvious signs of intoxication.
McCulloch’s family were unaware that she had been arrested, until they were informed by DailyMail.com reporters
The 37-year-old is accused of public intoxication, and allegedly threw her drink over a child and then bit a police officer
McCulloch was supposed to be on a date on Friday night at the restaurant where she allegedly attacked the other diners and police
It is unclear whether her date showed up, and whether the date was with her when she lunged at other diners and police
McCulloch looked exhausted as she left the courtroom on Tuesday
‘While conducting the investigation, McCulloch charged the at the officers while yelling expletives.
‘Despite efforts to calm her, McCulloch continued to display aggressive behaviors.
‘During efforts to detain her, she became physically combative, kicked at officers and bit one officer on the shoulder.
‘Laura McCulloch, 37 years old from Australia, was arrested, transported to the Santa Monica Jail and booked for public intoxication and resisting arrest.’
McCulloch’s family were unaware, however, and raised the alarm.
Tony Im, LAPD Public Information Officer, said that McCulloch was reported missing on Tuesday.
The family began campaigning online to find her, and even hired a private investigator.
They said efforts to track her phone and obtain CCTV footage of her had been unsuccessful, and attempts to involve authorities, including law enforcement and the Australian Embassy, had ‘been of no use.’
Frustrated at the lack of help from LA investigators, the family launched a GoFundMe page to help pay for a private detective – which has currently raised $1,000 AUD.
The page has now been updated to say she had been found, adding that the money may be used for ‘financial support’.
‘According to multiple sources in the US, Laura has been successfully located!
‘At this current stage we are unable to confirm what state she is in, and if any further financial support is needed, but I will do my best to provide an update as soon as it is available.
‘In the mean time, I can confirm that it was only through the efforts of her amazing friends and family that she was successfully located and I’m sure they would want to pass on their heartfelt appreciation for your contributions and incredible support so far.’
Her family, who launched a missing persons appeal on social media, were unaware that she had been arrested when contacted by DailyMail.com
Her sister Clare, left, launched a missing persons appeal on social media after McCulloch failed to contact them after her date
Australian actress Laura McCulloch was last seen dining on a Tinder or Bumble date at Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, located at 231 Arizona Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Clare McCulloch, her sister, posted a picture of the pair embracing online with the caption: ‘She is safe. She is free. She’s is ok. Thank you to everyone who helped us find my precious sister.’
McCulloch moved to LA after being based in New York in 2021 where she worked as an actor, singer, voice-over artist, writer and producer.
Her only screen credit in 2022 is an indie short film called Covid Support Group, directed by an American filmmaker Abigail Bogle.
In March 2021 she played Madame Defarge in an American stage version of A Tale of Two Cities at Bob Jones University in South Carolina.
She has also worked as a nanny in between roles.
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 classic ballet The Nutcracker.