Gossip Girl actress Chanel Maya Banks has been found alive and made a sensational claim about her family. The actress ' cousin and mum raised the alarm when they hadn't spoken to her in two weeks, but it appears the star is safe. She took to the media to break her silence on the claims and also hit out at her relatives.

The 36-year-old star, who is best known for her role as Jenny Humphrey's friend Sawyer Bennett in Gossip Girl, began: "My name is Chanel Banks I’m a 36-year-old American nobody." She went on to hit out at her family and made a number of huge claims about their previous behaviour. Speaking to True Crime News in a statement, she said: "I have met with the police and verified that not only am I OK, but I’m finally free.

" She added: "They say, once you’re free in Christ Jesus, you’re free indeed, so I told my husband six days ago I was going to get baptised by one of my favourite pastors Pastor Robert Clancy. He drove me to the airport and then I was off for a week ..

. but I also saw it as an opportunity to escape my cage.” Further hitting out at her family, she added: "I will never allow myself to be silenced ever again," before taking further aim at their actions.

The Los Angeles Police Department had earlier Banks, known for her roles in the television shows such as Gossip Girl and Blue Bloods, was unharmed and no foul play is suspected in her reported disappearance. They added the case was closed. However, in a strange twist, Banks' family had releas.