New Jersey

Missing Beyoncé Backup Dancer Found Safe: Police

Rihanna and Missy Elliott had posted emotional pleas on Instagram for information on the whereabouts of Shirlene Quigley

What to Know

  • Shirlene Quigley's father says she was last seen at Port Authority Bus Terminal early Sunday
  • The father, who lives in California, says his daughter always calls him at 6 p.m. each day; he was concerned when he hadn't heard from her
  • Quigley's phone was found at a bridal store in Manhattan

Police in New Jersey say they've found the 32-year-old backup dancer from New Jersey who vanished near the Port Authority Bus Terminal over the weekend after making a cryptic comment to friends.

North Bergen Police said in an Instagram post Tuesday evening that Shirlene Quigley has been found safe with the help of NYPD. She was at an undisclosed medical facility, and her father was en route from Los Angeles to reunite with her, police said. 

Rihanna and Missy Elliot had posted emotional pleas on Instagram for information on the whereabouts of Quigley, who has also performed with Beyonce.

Calling Quigley a "beautiful soul," Rihanna wrote, "My heart aches thinking of how heavy this is on all who love her!" The Instagram post included a video of the missing woman contemplating peace and love.

"Those who have met her know her spirit is always bubbly and kind & uplifting energy! Sending countless prayers," wrote Missy Elliot.

Quigley, who lives alone in North Bergen and teaches dance at Peridance Capezio Center and Broadway Dance Center in Manhattan, according to her Facebook page, was last seen getting on a bus at Port Authority around 1 a.m. Sunday, her father said.

Police are looking for 32-year-old Shirlene Quigley, a dancer from North Bergen. She has danced with Beyonce and Rihanna, among others. Missy Elliott posted photos of Quigley on her Instagram account and called her a “sweet, caring spirit.” Quigley’s father, who last spoke to her on Friday, said “she’s everything to me, she’s why I live.”

Her father, who lives in California, said Quigley normally calls him every day around 6 p.m., and he became concerned when he hadn't heard from her.

"I just want her to come home, or if someone has her to let her be," the father said. "She's everything to me. She's why I live."

Police say Quigley's phone was found at a bridal store in Chelsea; her father says she could've been there to pick up something for a show.

Quigley's father said his daughter made a strange comment to her friend recently along the lines of "Get ready, it's about to happen and I'm going to need you to sub for me."

Quigley attended Liberty Church in Brooklyn; her father says that she is very religious, and that lately she has seemed "euphoric."

Her landlord saw her leave her New Jersey home Saturday afternoon and later called a friend to say Quigley did not seem well, the friend said.

According to her personal website, Quigley's dance career launched when she was 18 and earned a role as one of the "uhh ohh girls" on Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love" music video. She has performed on an array of awards shows, including the VMA's, Grammy's and ESPY Awards.

Quigley created the first high heel dance class at a studio in her hometown of Los Angeles and later brought the workshop to New York City. She has also taught at dance studios around the world, her website says.

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