Australian actress who went missing in LA after an online date has been ARRESTED in Santa Monica

An Australian actress who was feared missing by her family because didn’t call she after a first date has in fact spent the last four days in a jail cell, DailyMail.com can reveal today.

Laura McCulloch, 37,  had told her family she was meeting up with a man from a dating app, and even sent them a picture of her outfit before leaving on August 12. 

But after she didn’t show up to work, yoga class and her other regular commitments, her family raised the alarm and sparked an online manhunt for the actress. 

They said that she was last seen at trendy Japanese chain-restaurant Gyu-Kaku in Los Angeles and was due to meet someone she contacted on ‘Bumble or Tinder’.

DailyMail.com can now reveal that she had been locked up in a prison cell after allegedly throwing a drink at another customer and resisting cops – biting one on the shoulder.  

Santa Monica police have confirmed that McCulloch was arrested on Friday, shortly before her family raised the alarm that she had apparently vanished. 

According to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department she is being held on a felony charge, with a $25,000 bond. 

Officers were called to reports of McCulloch throwing a drink at a fellow restaurant goer and their two-year-old child. 

McCulloch was reportedly showing ‘obvious signs of intoxication’ while shouting at the officers and ‘charging’ at 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

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

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

An arrest report claims that McCulloch' charged the at the officers while yelling expletives' after the police were called to the scene. She had been due to meet someone for a date at a Japanese restaurant in LA, arranged on either ' Bumble or Tinder ' on Friday August 12

 An arrest report claims that McCulloch’ charged the at the officers while yelling expletives’ after the police were called to the scene. She had been due to meet someone for a date at a Japanese restaurant in LA, arranged on either ‘ Bumble or 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 that she wore to 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 8:30pm Santa Monica Police Department Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Arizona for what was reported as a battery.

‘According the reporting party, a female, later identified as Laura McCulloch, threw a drink at a restaurant patron and their 2-year-old child. 

‘Upon arrival, officers contacted Ms. McCulloch who showed obvious signs of intoxication.

‘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.’

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

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 

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

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

Her sister Clare, left,  launched a missing persons appeal on social media after McCulloch failed to contact them after her date

Her sister Clare, left,  launched a missing persons appeal on social media after McCulloch failed to contact them after her date

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

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

Her family, who launched a missing persons appeal on social media, were unaware that she had been arrested when contacted by DailyMail.com

Her family, who launched a missing persons appeal on social media, were unaware that she had been arrested when contacted by DailyMail.com 

Who is Australian actress Laura McCulloch? 

Laura 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 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. 

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 had a supporting role in a film version of classic ballet The Nutcracker.

The actress is understood to be at Los Angeles County Superior Court, and will be dealt with accordingly.

Her cousin Merrie McCulloch told DailyMail.com: ‘Yes, I can confirm she’s in safe hands and have also been asked to please help update media with the information that she’s been located, and thank you for your support.

‘It’s all very slim details at the moment but until we ascertain Laura’s current state and what her wishes are going forward in terms of media coverage we are just scaling back for now and focusing on her well-being.’

Her sister Clare posted on Instagram saying: ‘She has been found safe and well. 

‘The family want to thank everyone for your help and support in what has been a traumatic time.’ 

Her friends and family started their own missing person search, claiming that the LAPD did not yet consider her a missing person case.

The family has also claimed that the Santa Monica restaurant – Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – where she had arranged to meet her date, had refused to release any security footage without a police order.

A staff member at the restaurant claims that the incident took place outside of the property, and no one inside contacted the police.  

Frustrated at the lack of help from LA investigators the family has started a GoFundMe page to help pay for a private detective – which has currently raised $1,000 AUD.

The page updated those looking for the actress, saying she had been found, adding: ‘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.

The family has claimed the Santa Monica restaurant - Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - where she had arranged to meet her date, had refused to release any security footage without a police order

 The family has claimed the Santa Monica restaurant – Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ – where she had arranged to meet her date, had refused to release any security footage without a police order

‘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.’

Laura 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’ and directed by an 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. 

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.

Daily Mail Australia has sought the Los Angeles Police Department for comment. 

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