Daniel Robinson/Photo courtesy of Arizona Republic
Daniel Robinson is missing. His father, David Robinson, has hired a private investigator to look into the whereabouts of his son, who was last seen in Arizona.
Daniel, 24, was last seen leaving work in Buckeye, Arizona. That was June 23. Since then, Robinson has arranged search parties, launched a website, and done everything a concerned parent would do to find his son.
Most recently, Robinson hired a private investigator to help find Daniel.
“If you believe you’re going to lose one of your children, it’s devastating and scary and hurtful. You do everything you can do to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Robinson told
the West Valley View in July.On July 19, police reported that Daniel’s Jeep had been found in a ravine and appeared to have rolled after being in a wreck. The airbags were deployed, and the evidence suggests that he was wearing his seatbelt.
Johnson’s idea to contract the services of an investigator was driven by his belief that the police department was not doing enough to try to find his son.
His belief has merit.
When the Buckeye Police Department was notified and went to Daniel’s wrecked truck, they failed to collect DNA or other evidence pertinent to the case. Robinson said that he was told that because authorities did not see blood, they did not investigate.
Once Robinson expressed concern about that decision, the police swabbed and checked the vehicle for fingerprints after being moved to a police compound.
According to Jeff McGrath, the private investigator, Daniel’s vehicle was driven an additional 11 miles after it was wrecked, and it was cranked an additional 40 times.
The missing geologist’s keys, cellphone and wallet were also found at the scene. Buckeye police say they don’t suspect foul play because his personal effects were still in the vehicle.
Daniel’s story has received little fanfare compared to white missing persons such as Gabby Petito, whose disappearance not only received constant media play but the FBI’s attention almost immediately. This case is not uncommon with missing people of color.
Daniel is 5-foot-8, weighs about 165 pounds and is an amputee on his right side from the elbow down.
Anyone who has any information about his whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Buckeye Police Department.