Father of missing Phoenix man Daniel Robinson: ‘I’m still keeping my faith’

PHOENIX – The father of Daniel Robinson is holding out hope that his son, who was last seen west of Phoenix more than three months ago, will be found alive.

“I’m going to continue believing,” David Robinson told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Thursday.

“I don’t have anything to indicate that my son is out there walking somewhere. But you know what? I’m still keeping my faith.”

Daniel, a 24-year-old geologist living in Phoenix, has been missing since he left a remote worksite in Buckeye on June 23.

Buckeye police said he was last seen driving west into a desert area near Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road, about 10 miles north of Interstate 10.

A rancher found Daniel’s Jeep Renegade on its side in a ravine on his property, about 4 miles southwest of the worksite, on July 19.

The airbags were deployed and Daniel’s cellphone, wallet and keys were found at the scene. Buckeye police said they believe Daniel was wearing a seatbelt when the vehicle rolled, and they don’t suspect foul play.

David relocated from South Carolina to Phoenix after his son went missing. He has hired a private investigator and set up a GoFundMe account to help cover expenses.

Information about the case and how to help is available at PleaseHelpFindDaniel.com.

“We’re following every lead, everything,” David said. “Nothing’s off the table.”

Police and other agencies have searched more than 70 square miles by ground and air, using cadaver dogs, off-road vehicles, a drone and a helicopter, but David isn’t satisfied with the efforts.

“I’m still trying to get it moved up to a possible criminal case,” he said. “That way the Buckeye Police Department can continue doing a search with, you know, do warrants and things like that. Do a little bit more.

“So we’re still pushing them to do more to continue the search.”

Last week, Buckeye police released a partial report on the active case.

“We are committed to finding Daniel Robinson,” Chief Larry Hall said in a statement.

“Our investigators are working tirelessly to find answers and bring closure to Daniel’s loved ones.”

The missing Phoenix man is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. He is missing his right hand and part of his forearm.

His family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to Daniel being located.

Daniel’s disappearance has drawn increased interest since the Gabby Petito case garnered massive attention earlier this month. The media was criticized for excessive coverage of the search for Petito, a young white woman whose body was found Sept. 19, while taking little notice of cases involving people of color.

David said in addition to trying to find his son, he’s been advocating for others going through similar experiences.

“A lot of families don’t have the opportunity to even get a chance to speak about their loved ones. So, I’m … trying to advocate for them also,” he said.

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