AZ DANIEL ROBINSON: Missing from Buckeye, AZ - 23 June 2021 - Age 24

JUNE 29, 2024
6:03 AM ET
Jonathan Franklin

On a June morning three years ago, geologist Daniel Robinson left a job site in Buckeye, Ariz., driving his blue-gray Jeep Renegade. He was believed to be heading west into the desert from the Phoenix suburb.

The 24-year-old was reported missing later that day.

His father, David Robinson, describes Daniel as someone with a bold personality who could make friends easily. Daniel had a lot of confidence and would challenge everything.

“Daniel would go after whatever he wants. Very adventurous and loved to be a part of everything,” David Robinson told NPR.

Robinson says it’s been a difficult three years for him and his family after Daniel went missing on June 23, 2021.

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More at link. ~Summer

Turning tragedy into purpose: Gabby Petito’s father advocates for missing Black and brown people​

When Daniel Robinson, a 24-year-old Black man, went missing in Arizona in June 2021, his father, David Robinson, spent months pleading for police to be more aggressive in their search.

Frustrated with the lack of progress, Robinson temporarily moved to Arizona, hired an independent investigator and assembled a volunteer search team to look for Daniel.

Despite local media reporting Daniel's disappearance as early as July 9, 2021, Robinson also felt the case did not receive the necessary media coverage. At the time, America's attention was captured by the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito, a 22-year-old White woman.

"You wish you lived in a world where everything was equal, but it's really not equal," Robinson told CNN then.

More than three years later, Robinson is still desperately looking for Daniel. He plans to travel to Arizona next spring and assemble a team of volunteers to search new areas and follow up on leads. And he has found a new ally in his efforts — Joseph Petito, Gabby's father.

While searching for Gabby, Petito said he was being tagged in social media posts about the term "Missing White Woman Syndrome," which prompted him to look it up.

The term, coined by the late TV news anchor Gwen Ifill, is defined by researchers as the heavier spotlight White women and girls receive when they go missing compared to anyone outside of those demographics.

While cases of missing White women receive more focus, people of color are disappearing at disproportionate rates. According to 2022 FBI data, Black people make up 31% of missing person reports but only 13% of the US population. In contrast, White people account for 54% of missing person reports and 75% of the US population.

"I did a deep dive into it," Petito told CNN. "I looked at popular missing persons cases and the ones that hit the mainstream all looked the same."

Petito is on a mission to change that.

He has spent the last three years advocating for missing Black and brown people through the Gabby Petito Foundation, a nonprofit that strives to raise awareness of missing people and prevent domestic violence.

The foundation partners with families of missing Black and brown people, as well as groups dedicated to raising awareness of these cases, such as the Black & Missing Foundation.

Petito has become a strong advocate in the search for Daniel, Robinson said.

The fathers communicate regularly and have spoken at Crimecon — a gathering of true crime experts and fans — sharing their stories. Petito has also attended virtual events held in honor of Daniel.

"What Mr. Petito has done for my family, it means a lot to me," Robinson said. "Because he had a tragedy and it's amazing when a person can take a tragedy and make something big out of it, become an advocate and help people."

Petito is currently working on a television series called "Faces of the Missing," which will highlight dozens of unsolved missing persons cases he says have received little media coverage.

"We are going to do all demographics," Petito said. "But we want to keep it consistent with the way people are represented from a proportionate perspective."

"There's a lot of work that can be done and a lot of families that can be helped regardless of their color," he added.


Derrica Wilson, co-founder of Black & Missing, said she applauds Petito for using his platform to advocate for more media attention on missing people of color.

"We've always said that missing persons isn't a Black issue, it's not a White issue, it's a human rights issue," Wilson said. "Regardless of race, gender and ZIP code everyone who is missing matters."https://www.ksbw.com/article/trump-death-penalty-biden-commutations/63274876

Interesting. There are few places I give a sh*t if I go any longer but If I could handle the hype and busy_ness Crime Con would be on.

I understand the purposes parents lof murdered loved ones need.

I don't think every case is due to being a white woman or child but it does happen fairly often. I mean it's pretty obvious why Jon Benet became the case it did.

I would like to point out that news doesn't cover sh*t any longer and crime even less, it's politics, 24/7.

But yes, it happens.

I do think there are reasons in some cases. Some have more information released,, some a bit unique. It's just like here, the current threads are generally more active than the older ones as there just isn't any news.

Petito yes. Jon Benet yes. So sorry I can't think of her name but the one who was at a party out west and car ended up in lake, I like anyone could name a ton of them.

OMG Suzanne Morphew talking adults. Another would be (sorry I just drew a blank) Sometimes at least for us crime followers it is the mystery of it all.

People have bilked major money of these cases and others. Of course everyone is out for a buck, or most.

YT, FB, you name it. Sensationalism, I don't even begrudge that as some do, everyone needs to make a living.

It's not always true though--I feel so bad I cannot think of her name but she was blonde and from Florida, her purse was found and her father has fought for help

People that only watch major news never learn of all. Our news SUCKS.

ARe all cases on here? NOPE.

I suppose the internet and maybe we've never known how many are really out there.

I do agree it is a problem but I think a lot of factors play into some and why they get so much attention.

Sometimes it's the famiily. And that they don't keep up trying to keep it in the news too.

Dylan Rounds was no blonde child or woman but his mom KEPT it out there, she went on responsible YT channels and mama bear. I judged that myself a few times.

Petito and some others, OMG the idiot YTers, I try to stick to good ones but Petito, West, Summer Wells, more, went absolutely crazy.

I'd probably argue it is a combination of things MOST of the time.

I'd start with our news SUCKS.

I'd just add I know this case, his dad has stayed out there for one reason.

In some cases, probably more common with minors, 3/4 of the parents probably did it.

We are taught to keep mouths shut or we will affect the case too, and we all worry probably of causing trouble ourselves and people don't speak out these days and can't even discuss sh*T.

I mean to say every word of this. Two examples ARE Dylan's mom and Kaylee's dad. I criticized both a bit but BOY do I get it and I did even then.

If people want change they need to learn to come together and talk again. IMHO.

We are divided and conquered. Seriously.

I might not agree with someone on say the DP or abortion but we all might agree on say illegal immigration or sentecning. I know what I sound like but it's true. Change happens when we quit being ambivalent and come together. And where's the voice until someone murders a CEO?

I don't know, guess trying to use a voice right now as younger generations just never lived some things.

NO ONE agrees on everything. But a ton really do agree on some things.

This case was not silent, but dad also helped keep it out there. I know the case and I never search for news, etc.

Every single day lately I am more glad I was raised where I was and how I was, and my kids too, lately.

Anyhow just my thoughts, a ton of "blondes" have been ignored. I DO agree it can be a problem, but it all starts with our news, and even whether a parent tries to keep things in the news.

IMHO.

Arizona geologist Daniel Robinson went missing in 2021. What we know — and don't know​

An Arizona rancher searching for his cattle found an overturned car in a desert ravine near Buckeye in June 2021. Inside the crashed car, officials found the driver's wallet, phone and keys, yet no trace of the driver has been found.

Officials determined that the car belonged to Daniel Robinson, a 24-year-old geologist who worked at a nearby job site. It made sense why he was in the area, but what didn't make sense was why he had seemingly sped up and crashed into a random ravine.

Law enforcement initially ruled out foul play, but the lack of a body after the crash left many questions, especially from the missing man's father.

“The official explanation just does not make sense," said David Robinson, Daniel's father. "Why would he want to disappear like a monk?”

Here's everything to know about the disappearance of Daniel Robinson.

What is the latest information on Daniel Robinson?​

Buckeye police have said they are still investigating in conjunction with the FBI. Robinson's case still remains open, and his remains have not been located.

His father continues to lead volunteer search efforts to locate his son. Details can be found on a GoFundMe page David Robinson created for that purpose. He said he is still searching for answers.


MORE AT LINK

Today

Volunteers needed in search for Daniel Robinson in Buckeye​

On Saturday, his family and friends are asking for the community to help renew the search.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN THE SEARCH FOR DANIEL ROBINSON

When: Saturday, April 12, at 6:45 a.m.

Where: Sun Valley Parkway and Rosewood Avenue, Buckeye AZ

Among those joining this Saturday's search includes Joseph Petito, the father of Gabby Petito, and one of the founding members of the Gabby Petito Foundation. The foundation works to support locating missing persons and assist victims of domestic violence.

Petito is traveling to Arizona as part of his mission to advocate for families that do not receive as much attention as his own daughter's case did. Specifically, he wants to raise more awareness for missing people of color, and keep their cases in the national spotlight.

Daniel Robinson's father, David, has also worked tirelessly over the years to find his son and find any answers in his case.

Families working together and helping each other. Nice thing to see.