Daniel Robinson, aged 24, was last seen leaving a job site in Buckeye, Arizona, near Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road, on June 23, 2021, around 9:45 am, in his 2017 blue-grey Jeep Renegade headed west towards the desert, and reported missing later that day.

[1] On July 19, 2021, a rancher found the Jeep rolled over on its side in a ravine on his property, with the airbags deployed, and evidence in the vehicle indicating that the driver was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

[8] In a statement made on September 16, 2021, the Buckeye Police Department announced that they had worked with outside agencies to search over 70 square miles, with the assistance of UTVs, cadaver dogs, drones, and helicopters.

Robinson's family convinced the Tempe Police Department to do forensics work on all of Daniel's electronics including his personal computer and gaming system.

"[12] Investigators in October 2021 announced that Robinson had been texting a woman he met while delivering for Instacart, and reportedly was invited inside and exchanged numbers with her.

[14] The preliminary investigation, based on anthropological indication of race and the amount of time outside, has led officials to believe neither set of remains to be Robinson.

He disagreed with their decision to follow missing persons protocols, being slow to investigate his son's disappearance, but being quick to rule out foul play.

[21] Social media has also pointed out the lack of national attention that was being given to Robinson's case compared to that of the disappearance of Gabby Petito (see Missing white woman syndrome).