Ashley McGuire, a mother from Massachusetts, took to Facebook to ask for help in finding her estranged husband, British chef Charles Withers, who had disappeared without a trace while she was pregnant with their second child. She described Withers as someone who loved being the center of attention and had decided that being a husband and father was not the lifestyle he wanted. Withers had never met his second daughter, and McGuire was struggling to track him down in order to finalize their divorce.
Withers, a British chef who had appeared on the Food Network’s competition cooking show “Chopped,” had moved out of state, changed his name and phone number, and seemingly started a new life without any contact with his family in Massachusetts. McGuire described him as charming and likely working in the hospitality industry. She asked for help from a popular Facebook group to locate him, as she needed his signature on divorce papers to move on with her life.
In less than 24 hours after McGuire’s plea went viral, she received hundreds of messages with information on Withers’ whereabouts. Overwhelmed by the response, McGuire assured that she had enough information to locate him and was sorting through the messages. She thanked the community for their support and also appealed for kindness towards Withers, emphasizing that she did not wish him any ill will and just wanted to resolve the situation so she and her children could move forward.
McGuire, a single mom, reflected on the situation and expressed her gratitude for being able to come home to her children despite her husband’s abandonment. She maintained a positive outlook on the situation, stating that she believed she was ultimately winning as she had the opportunity to be present for her children. Following her public interview on a Boston radio show, McGuire revealed that Withers had reached out to her through an old phone number, prompting her to take down the viral Facebook post.
Despite the challenges and emotional turmoil caused by her husband’s disappearance, McGuire expressed understanding towards Withers, acknowledging that there were internal struggles that led to his decision. However, she also emphasized the importance of taking responsibility and not walking away from commitments. As the story gained attention online, McGuire’s journey to find her missing husband highlighted the complexities of relationships, abandonment, and the resilience of single mothers facing unexpected challenges.
