Rihanna thanks God for good news about missing friend

Rihanna is celebrating after her friend and former back-up dancer Shirlene Quigley was found safe on Tuesday (25Oct16).

Friends and family members reported the 32-year-old missing on Monday (24Oct16) and police in New Jersey launched a statewide search for Shirlene.

Details of her discovery remain hazy and she is still under doctors' care in hospital, but famous friends Rihanna and Missy Elliott are overjoyed cops found her.

Taking to Instagram on Wednesday (26Oct16), Rihanna wrote: "God is so merciful!!! Happy you're alive and safe @shirlenequigley."

And rapper Missy also thanked her followers for responding to her calls for help earlier this week, adding: "Thank u for all of your countless prayers & persistence in getting the word out about @shirlenequigley disappearance her friends her family & the Dance Community and artist she worked with!

"All media outlets! thank u North Bergen police she has been located and is safe and being treated in a undisclosed location... thank u God 4 hearing our prayers! We love u @shirlenequigley with all our hearts! I'm just thankful u are still here with us today."

Both stars had previously taken to social media to appeal for help in locating Shirlene, with the Umbrella singer sharing a sweet video of Quigley on Instagram.

"This beautiful soul, and former dancer of mine is MISSING!!!" she captioned the clip. "My heart aches thinking of how heavy this is on all who love her! If anyone has seen or has any information on@shirlenequigley's whereabouts .....PLEASE CONTACT the North Bergen Police Department."