West Coast Productions director Lee Goodwin, one of Darren James' close friends, told AVN.com late Monday that he spoke with James on the phone this morning for the first time since he was feared missing late last week.
James tested HIV-positive on April 12, the last time any of his closest friends had heard from him until today.
"He just called me to let me know he's OK," Goodwin said. "I was in the gym this morning when he gave me a call. He's down in San Diego. He had to lay low. He was very upset and just didn't want to face anyone. He's feeling OK."
Goodwin went into James' residence twice within the past few days looking for him – the first time with director/performer Mark Anthony and most recently with director Alexander DeVoe, he said.
"I saw the keys to both cars. The messages were filled. We just started thinking the worst," Goodwin said, adding that James' "favorite jacket" was also still there. "We just started getting nervous."
After the second try at James' place, Goodwin said he called James' mother and sister, who also had not heard from him.
Goodwin said that James "didn't give me any indication" when he would return to the Los Angeles area. He added that director Rick Davis, who was at the gym with Goodwin, also briefly spoke with James.
James was unavailable for comment.
