Missing model Ataui Deng found in New York hospital

MODEL Ataui Deng, who went missing for nearly two weeks, has been found alive in a New York hospital after pop star Rihanna joined the cause to find her.

Model missing 2 weeks, found thanks to Rihanna

SUDANESE model Ataui Deng, who went missing for nearly two weeks, has been found alive in a New York hospital after pop star Rihanna joined the cause to find her.

The 22-year-old was last seen around midnight on August 6 as she left a Manhattan nightclub near Times Square.

On Monday, police appealed for help from the public after they were notified of her disappearance by her boyfriend Grant Monohon. Pop star Rihanna was one of the many to take the cause to social media, tweeting:

If any one has any information on this young lady's whereabouts, please call the NYPD or email [e-mail] pic.twitter.com/YR1bZgI2tG

— Rihanna (@rihanna) August 18, 2014

“She was found in an area hospital,” a New York Police Department spokesman told AFP yesterday, adding that she was fine.

According to the New York Post, Deng — also known as Ataui Deng-Hopkins — checked herself into St Luke’s Hospital under a fake name and was recognised by staff there following the police appeal. Her condition at the hospital has not been revealed.

Model Ataui Deng attending the celebration of the I "Heart" Ronson collection in New York City.

Hollywood Life are reporting that Monohon, who is not a suspect in the case, told police that Deng often took time away, and on this occasion left all of her belongings in their Manhattan home and was thus unable to be contacted.

“She sometimes likes to get away but only for a day or so, nothing like this,” fellow model Ajak Deng also told Hollywood Life. “She would turn her phone off if she didn’t want to talk, but she would always have it with her.”

.@AtauiD walks for Hermes S/S 14 during #pfw pic.twitter.com/BH914YTTRr

— Trump Models (@TrumpModels) October 2, 2013

Known for her cropped hair and dark complexion, Deng has hit the catwalk for designers such as Proenza Schouler, Zac Posen, Catherine Malandrino, Sophie Theallet, as well as Desigual and Bibhu Mohapatra.

A regular in magazines such as Vogue, Glamour and Elle, Deng has also taken to the runway for Lanvin, Hermes, Agnes B, Vivienne Westwood and Jean-Paul Gaultier. She has also posed for celebrated fashion photographer Mario Testino.

She moved to the United States with her family in 2004 and has lived in New York City since 2008.