LA-based Aussie actress arrested over alleged drunken restaurant incident before missing persons appeal

An Australian actress reported missing in California by her friends and family has had her bail set at $US25,000 ($AUD35,000) after being arrested and charged after allegedly biting and kicking police in a drunken incident.

Meanwhile, her family has said they are just relieved she has been found.

Santa Monica Police Department this morning said Laura McCulloch faced court yesterday (overnight AEST) charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, in a Los Angeles County restaurant, bringing to an end a widespread social media campaign to find the 37-year-old.

Rudy Flores, executive officer to the chief of police, told 9News officers were called to an Arizona Avenue restaurant, near Santa Monica's busy tourist spot 3rd Street Promenade about 8.30pm on Friday (1.30pm Saturday AEST) to a reported battery.

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Laura McCulloch was alleged to have thrown a drink at a fellow diner and their two-year-old child, before showing "obvious signs of intoxication" when police arrived.

"While conducting the investigation, McCulloch charged the at (sic) the officers while yelling expletives.  

"Despite efforts to calm her, McCulloch continued to display aggressive behaviours.  

"During efforts to detain her, she became physically combative, kicked at officers and bit one officer on the shoulder."

Flores said Laura McCulloch was taken to Santa Monica Jail and booked for public intoxication and resisting arrest before appearing before a judge yesterday.

He confirmed the Australian, who lives in California, had been reported missing to the Los Angeles Police Department, which is a separate entity to the Santa Monica force.

The LA Times reported her bail was set at $US25,000 ($AUD35,000).

McCulloch appeared at the Airport Courthouse on Tuesday, local time, the paper reported.

She was charged with a felony, according to online court records, it said.

Laura's family had earlier said she'd last been seen on Friday at a restaurant in Santa Monica, having gone on a date with someone she met on a dating app.

Her sister, Clare McCulloch, from Melbourne, said she was contacted yesterday by a group of Laura's friends who said they were worried about her.

They said they had not heard from her since Friday night, when she was on her way to a restaurant for the first date.

She told 9News she was "just so relieved," her sister had been found, and said she had been with police the whole time.

"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," Laura posted on Instagram.

Earlier, Laura McCulloch's cousin, Merrie McCulloch, posted to Gofundme to say the actress had been found and the private investigator hired to investigate her disappearance said she was "safe and well".

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"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 cousin wrote.

"In the meantime, 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."

The family frantically described how they were looking for Laura last night.

"They haven't heard from her and she didn't show up to work or her yoga class," Clare told 9News.

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"Her phone is now off, I've been trying to call her as well.

"I'm absolutely beside myself, we all are.

"It's a total nightmare, it's so hard to not think the absolute worst."

Laura has performed in shows around the US. She moved to LA after living in New York and worked as a nanny between acting jobs.

Her family said it was unusual for her not to show up for work.

Clare said her sister's disappearance had been reported to Los Angeles police, but they had been told officers wouldn't investigate yet.

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Clare said the dating apps Laura had used wouldn't allow the family to access her messages, and even said her profile had been deleted.

Late last night she confirmed the family had hired a private investigator.

"Her best friend Lisa is about to fly down from Oregon tomorrow and all her friends in LA are out looking for her," Clare said.

"They've called and door-knocked all the restaurants and all of them were being extremely unhelpful."

Clare described her sister as "bubbly and vivacious".

9News.com.au has sought comment from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Los Angeles Police Department.

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