Buckeye Police continue to investigate the disappearance of Daniel Robinson who was reported missing June 23, 2021. Detectives investigate leads developed throughout the investigation and tips reported to the department. At this time, foul play is not suspected.

View the missing persons report released May 2023.

The timeline below details investigative activity in the initial months of the investigation and is not to be considered an all-inclusive list of investigative measures, techniques and tactics. For updates on this case, please follow the Buckeye Police Department social media accounts.

Anyone with information on the Daniel Robinson missing person case is urged to call the Buckeye Police tip line at 623-349-6411 or submit a tip online where you may choose to remain anonymous.

Timeline of Investigation:

June 23, 2021

• Daniel Robinson last seen leaving job site near Sun Valley Pkwy. and Cactus Rd. just after 9 a.m.
• Daniel’s father reports him missing around 7 p.m.
• Buckeye Police ground search near job site
• Daniel entered into national missing persons database

June 24, 2021

• Buckeye Police ground search near job site
• Investigators access vehicle “UConnect” system.  No GPS data available
• Attempt to ping Daniel’s cell phone for location is unsuccessful
• Tempe Police check Daniel’s apartment

June 25, 2021

• Phoenix Firebird helicopter aerial search
• Buckeye Police ground search near job site

July 6, 2021

• Buckeye Police search Daniel’s apartment
• Buckeye Police ground search near job site

July 9, 2021

• Civil Air Patrol aerial searches

July 15, 2021

• Review Daniel’s financial records with assistance from family (ongoing)

July 19, 2021

• Daniel’s Jeep found in ravine less than three miles from job site
• Multi-agency search with ground and aerial resources

July 21, 2021

• Investigators download crash data from Jeep
• Buckeye Police extract data from Daniel’s recovered cell phone

July 22, 2021

• Investigators process Jeep for evidence

July 28, 2021

• Investigators obtain detailed bank records with family assistance and investigate financial transactions

July 29, 2021

• Volunteer search crews recover a skull. It was later determined the skull did not belong to Daniel

August 19, 2021

•  Interviewed/Re-interviewed Daniel’s coworkers

September 28, 2021

• San Tan Recon processes crash site for independent crash report
• Buckeye Police conduct targeted ground searches

September 30, 2021

• Buckeye Police conduct targeted ground searches

October 14, 2021

• San Tan Recon revisits crash site

October 18, 2021

San Tan Recon issues collision report, below is what was found.

• Daniel’s Jeep Renegade was involved in a rollover crash. It was the only crash recorded on the vehicle’s internal systems.
• Speed increased right before impact which could indicate an attempt to drive up the other side of the ravine.
• More than 40 ignition cycles were recorded after the crash. This could be due to driver attempts to restart the vehicle or use the electrical systems. It is unclear how many cycles occurred during tow recovery and when investigators downloaded data.

• An 11-mile discrepancy between the crash data report and the displayed odometer reading is not considered unusual. Similar discrepancies have been noted by Jeep dealership service departments and other crash reconstructionists.

November 6, 2021

• Human remains found with evidence indicating a different missing person (remains sent to medical examiner for testing)

November 23, 2021

• FBI briefed on case

Ongoing Investigative Activity

• Interview new contacts identified throughout investigation
• Conduct follow-up interviews with witnesses
• Examine images and video including satellite imagery
• Check for fraud or financial activity linked to Daniel's social security number and bank accounts
• Investigate reports of possible sightings
• Conduct targeted searches around Daniel's job site and vehicle crash site
• Coordinate with forensics officials to analyze possible items of interest recovered during desert searches
• Investigate information produced by volunteer private investigators from across the country

Anyone with information on the disappearance of Daniel Robinson is urged to call the Buckeye Police tip line at 623-349-6411 or submit a tip online where you may choose to remain anonymous.