US actress Lindsey Pearlman found dead, days after being reported missing

The actress had been missing for five days.

US actress Lindsey Pearlman has been found dead, five days after going missing from her home.

The 43-year-old was best known for her recurring roles in General Hospital and Chicago Justice.

According to E! News, Lindsey had “failed to return home,” which caused her family and friends to worry for her safety as no one had seen or heard from her.

A statement released by Los Angeles Police Department said she was last seen in LA on 13 February at approximately 12pm.

Her body was later found on 18 February inside a car near Hollywood Boulevard. A cause of death has not yet been released.

“Today around 8:30 a.m, Hollywood Area officers responded to a radio call for a death investigation at Franklin Avenue and North Sierra Bonita Avenue,” LAPD said via its website.

“The LA County Coroner’s Office has since confirmed the individual to be Lindsey Erin Pearlman.”

Lindsey’s husband, Vance Smith, also confirmed the news on Instagram: “The police found Lindsey. She’s gone. I’m broken. I will share more later, but I wanted to thank you to everyone for their love and efforts and ask you to respect the privacy of her family at this time.”

Her cousin, Savannah Pearlman, also posted an update on Twitter saying: “I’m deeply sad to report that they have found Lindsey, and it was too late.

“I have no other information about the location or circumstance. Lindsey was a fierce animal advocate and a talented actress.”

Savannah then asked people to make donations to an animal and adoption centre in Lindsey’s name. According to Lindsey’s website she was an “activist for animals and humans”.