7 months after Phoenix’s Daniel Robinson went missing, dad keeps searching

PHOENIX – Seven months after Daniel Robinson went missing after leaving a West Valley job site, his father’s relentless search efforts continue.

“We keep it pushing as long as I have the volunteers and their loyalty and their help,” David Robinson told KTAR News 9.23 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday.

“I’m grateful for them, I love them, and they know that. … We’re working hard out there.”

Daniel, geologist living in Phoenix, has been missing since he left a remote Buckeye work location near Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road, about 10 miles north of Interstate 10, on June 23, 2021.

About a month later, a rancher found Daniel’s Jeep Renegade on his property, about 4 miles southwest of the job site.

The vehicle was on its side in a ravine with the airbags deployed and Daniel’s cellphone, wallet and keys at the scene.

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

“I’m grateful for the volunteers … I’m grateful for the donations,” he said. “That helps a whole lot.”

David said his search efforts have been ongoing for 22 weeks, mainly on weekends, and not just out in the West Valley desert.

“The other one is a city search where I pass out flyers to the homeless, give flyers to volunteers who take it to their cities to pass out,” he said. “So I’m covering every city in Arizona.”

Information about the case, when and where searches are being held and other ways to help is available at PleaseHelpFindDaniel.com.

“You’ll also find a petition there … to put more pressure on the police department to do a little bit more … and also to bring awareness to other missing cases and things like that,” he said. The online petition has more than 100,000 signatures.

Daniel, whose 25th birthday was earlier this month, is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 165 pounds. He is Black, has black hair and brown eyes and is missing his right hand and part of his forearm.

His disappearance drew increased interest after the Gabby Petito case garnered massive attention last summer. 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.

Follow @kstonezone