MISSING D.C. MOM VANISHED — THEN HER EX WAS ARRESTED AMID A CUSTODY DISPUTE AND A PAST ASSAULT CONVICTION

Antoinette Forbes has been missing since September 4. Now, court records have revealed a troubling history involving her former partner — who was recently arrested in Pennsylvania.

A desperate search continues for 53-year-old Antoinette Forbes, a Washington, D.C., mother and pharmaceutical-industry executive who disappeared earlier this month.

Forbes was last seen on September 4 in Northwest Washington, D.C., according to police.

More than a week later, her family is still searching for answers.

And new court records have brought renewed attention to her complicated history with her former partner, Russell Ashford, the father of her 10-year-old son.

HER BELONGINGS WERE LEFT BEHIND

Concern grew after a friend went to Forbes’ home on September 6.

Inside, her keys, phones, wallet, purse and dog were reportedly still there.

Her car was also found outside.

Forbes’ family and friends have repeatedly said her disappearance is completely out of character.

Her sister, Aileen Forbes, said the two had spoken on September 5 while discussing Christmas plans.

Then Antoinette stopped responding.

HER EX-PARTNER HAS NOW BEEN ARRESTED

On September 12, Pennsylvania State Police arrested Russell Ashford in Beaver County under an out-of-state warrant.

According to officials and court records, the warrant was connected to an alleged probation violation in Maryland.

Ashford is Forbes’ former partner and the father of their son.

However, authorities have not said that Ashford is involved in Forbes’ disappearance, and he has not been publicly identified as a suspect in the missing-person investigation.

That distinction remains critical as investigators continue searching for Forbes.

 COURT RECORDS REVEAL A TROUBLING HISTORY

Court documents reviewed by PEOPLE and The Washington Post describe a 2021 domestic-violence incident involving Forbes and Ashford.

Ashford pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in 2021.

According to police records cited by The Washington Post, Forbes suffered multiple facial injuries, a fractured orbital and cheek bone, a jaw fracture, damage to her right eye, bruising and a concussion.

A witness told police he saw Ashford punching Forbes while she was lying on the kitchen floor.

Forbes also told police that Ashford had repeatedly struck her head against the floor, causing her to lose consciousness.

Recent court documents say the assault resulted in lasting injuries to her eye and hand.

 A CUSTODY DISPUTE ADDED ANOTHER LAYER

The former couple had also been involved in a custody dispute over their son.

Court records show that Forbes had primary custody, while custody arrangements were later modified to give Ashford additional access.

More recent filings have brought that custody arrangement back into focus following Forbes’ disappearance.

The Washington Post reported that Ashford filed an emergency petition seeking temporary sole custody of their son after Forbes had been missing for several days.

Forbes’ sister subsequently filed her own emergency custody petition.

 POLICE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR ANTOINETTE

Despite the disturbing history revealed in court documents, investigators have not publicly said that Ashford is responsible for Forbes’ disappearance.

Police continue to seek information from the public.

Forbes is described as an Asian woman, 5 feet 2 inches tall and approximately 115 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

Her family is asking people throughout the Washington, D.C., region to review security-camera footage and think carefully about anything unusual they may have seen.

 HER FAMILY JUST WANTS ANSWERS

Friends describe Forbes as a devoted mother who loved her son, her career, travel, art and spending time with friends.

Her longtime friend Holly Wetzel told PEOPLE that Forbes had built a full life around her family and career.

Now, that life has been left suspended as investigators try to determine what happened.

Anyone who may know where Antoinette Forbes is or who has information about her disappearance is urged to contact D.C. Police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

For now, one question remains unanswered: Where is Antoinette Forbes?