Retired Army Veteran Believes Missing Geologist Son May Be Victim of Crime
A retired U.S. Army veteran is expressing concerns regarding his missing son, Daniel Robinson, a geologist who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The family’s private investigator has uncovered evidence that suggests possible foul play, leading the father to believe that his son may have been the victim of a crime. However, local police have not found any indications of wrongdoing. The veteran is now urging the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to intervene in the case.
According to the father, his son’s wrecked Jeep was discovered abandoned in a remote Arizona desert. The vehicle had traveled 11 miles after the airbags had deployed, sparking suspicions that someone other than the police had driven it. Furthermore, the private investigator found signs that someone had searched Daniel’s bedroom after his disappearance. The family has also received unsettling messages on social media, including a photograph of a man holding a gun, allegedly claiming to be Daniel’s killer.
Speaking at CrimeCon 2023 in Orlando, the elder Robinson joined other families involved in high-profile disappearances, such as Gabby Petito and Dylan Rounds, to raise awareness about the slow response from law enforcement agencies in cases like these. The Buckeye Police, who are currently handling Daniel’s case, have released more than 120 pages of investigative records.
Prior to his disappearance, Daniel reportedly displayed unusual behavior. He made references to driving 50 miles away to Phoenix to rest and sent messages suggesting an infatuation with a woman he barely knew. Additionally, he cut his hair and spoke about wanting to make changes in his life. However, friends and family interviewed by detectives did not mention any suicidal tendencies or desires to harm himself.
When the police searched Daniel’s apartment, they found no signs of foul play but noted that his bedroom was in disarray. His computers and other valuable items were still present. The private investigator found two suspicious signs: a thorough search of Daniel’s bedroom by a third party and evidence of computer access after his disappearance.
The discovery of Daniel’s damaged Jeep in a ravine raised further questions. The vehicle appeared to have been staged to look like a crash. There was no blood at the scene, and no indication that Daniel had spent a significant amount of time there. A crash reconstructionist noted that the ignition had been cycled 44 times after the crash, a detail that remains unexplained.
The private investigator also found red paint transfer on the Jeep, suggesting a prior collision with a red object. However, it is unclear when this collision occurred as the vehicle’s history shows a previous crash. A rancher who found the Jeep stated that it had not been there for the entire month between Daniel’s disappearance and the discovery of the vehicle.
The elder Robinson remains unsatisfied with the lack of answers surrounding his son’s disappearance. He now hopes that the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office will become involved in the case. Daniel is described as thin, below average height, and was born without a right hand.
Anyone with information about Daniel’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Buckeye Police Department or submit tips online. The family has also established a website, pleasehelpfinddaniel.com, which provides information on the case.
The search for Daniel Robinson continues as his family hopes for answers and justice.
