You’d think that it would be almost impossible to completely disappear in this day and age, but everyday people manage it — until the armchair detectives of the internet turn their keen eyes their way, that is.



Such is the case of Charles Withers, a British chef who was happily married to Massachusetts woman Ashley McGuire, until he decided to ghost her while she was pregnant with their second child. In her viral Facebook post, McGuire wrote, “He has one baby he hasn’t seen in over a year and one he’s never met. He moved somewhere out of state and changed his phone number.


“Divorcing someone who’s completely unreachable is really tough and drawn out, so I’m trying to track him down to get his signature on a few papers so I can finally close this chapter and move on with my life.”



Fortunately, the internet delivered, thanks to the network of “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” Facebook groups; Withers is in Dallas, and has been using dating apps like Bumble during his time there — not exactly the sort of thing you’d think someone trying to stay under the radar would be doing, but evidently he’s not the best at keeping a low profile.



In an update, McGuire wrote, “I’ve gotten MORE than enough information to locate him,” adding that she doesn’t wish him any ill will, but just wants to “see this situation resolved so me and my children can restart our lives and fix the damage done.” She’s a better person than me; I’d wish him at least a little ill will for abandoning me and our children while pregnant, TBH.



In an interview with JAM’N 94.5 after the post went viral, McGuire revealed that Withers reached out via text and let her know he would be happy to talk to her. Not happy enough that he reached out without being forced to by an online manhunt, but I digress.


Hopefully Withers is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame; having previously appeared on the Food Network’s Chopped, this is undoubtedly the most name recognition he’s ever likely to receive. Soak it up, buddy! And pay your damn child support.