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Who is Daniel Robinson? After Gabby Petito, calls for missing geologist to be found

Daniel Robinson disappeared on June 23 in an Arizona desert and has not been found since

After human remains believed to be of missing travel vlogger Gabby Petito were found in the Wyoming park where search for her was ongoing, many on Twitter are now drawing attention toward another missing person's case - that of geologist Daniel Roboinson, who disappeared on June 23 in an Arizona desert and has not been found since.

Petito's case drew national attention after she was reported missing. Her fiance Brian Laundrie returned to his North Port home in Florida on September 1, in the same van he and Petito had embarked on their journey back in July this year - but without Peitio. The last time Petito's mom Nichole Schmidt heard from her was on August 26, where she claimed there was poor network at a national park in Yosemite via a text message. Immediately after Laundrie returned, he hired an attorney and refused to speak to authorities. He was subsequently labeled a "person of interest" and is now reported missing as well.

'Bring Daniel Robinson home'

After a body, possibly belonging to Petito, was found by authorities, the internet wanted the same importance paid to finding Robinson. "I'm shaking reading about the discovery of Gabby Petito's body in Wyoming. While we're watching this case unfold, please take 5 seconds to read about Daniel Robinson, a geologist who went missing in the desert outside Buckeye three months ago. His father is still looking for him," one of them said, while another noted, "#DanielRobinson been missing since June. He’s disappearance is as suspicious as Petito’s. Some evil force must be residing on those hiking trails."

A third stated, "Why isn't Daniel Robinson's disappearance being zealously investigated? He *disappeared" in same area. His grief-stricken dad needs some answers." One more added, "Need the same national energy y’all had for Gabby on Daniel Robinson." Another wrote, "Please read about Daniel Robinson & help spread the word so that this amazing young man can get the focus & attention him & his family deserve." 

The next commented, "But people only care when white, blue eyed blonde girls go missing right? Bring Daniel Robinson home. I hope he is found safe. SAY HIS NAME." A commenter tweeted, "I would ask why his father had to hire a PI to look for him but, I already know the answer to that smh. Where is Daniel Robinson?" A person reacted with, "Another missing person the world should oksy attention to: Daniel Robinson. He's still missing."

Who is Daniel Robinson?

Robinson is 5'8'', has black hair and brown eyes, and does not have a right forearm or hand, police said. According to a GoFundMe page set up for Robinson, he was last seen the morning of June 23, leaving his worksite in the desert of Buckeye, Arizona. He is believed to have headed west into desert terrain, driving his 2017 blue/grey Jeep Renegade. Robinson was born in North Carolina. After he graduated from college in 2016, he moved to Arizona after landing a career as a geologist. His work required him to often live in extreme conditions such as sites located in remote desert locations, and travel long distances to work on projects.

"Daniel has an innate passion for adventure and is known to travel inopportune moments. However, he always communicates with friends and family about his travel plans. It has been eight weeks with no leads or evidence towards Daniel's disappearance. Initially, a missing person report has been filed that same evening on the day he was last seen and we have utilized all avenues that law enforcement could contribute. Daniel's Jeep Renegade was discovered by a rancher in a remote part of the desert not too far from the well site where Daniel was last seen. Though the vehicle has now been recovered, Daniel remains missing," the fundraiser, started by his father David Robinson, said. 

David added how he traveled from South Carolina to be in the frontline of all efforts to locate his son. "The current investigation by law enforcement is not progressing and we are raising money to fund other resources and present initiatives to locate Daniel," he said, adding that the money will go into hiring a private investigator, organizing a search and rescue team, printing missing flyers, and other expenses. 

A petition has also been started on Change.org to locate Daniel. "From the first day that I arrived in Phoenix, Arizona, I have done more to find my son than the law enforcement agency, whose jurisdictional authority covers where he was last seen and where his vehicle was recovered. The Buckeye PD investigation has not gathered any evidence of their own. They are unwilling to move beyond their theory which leads to non-action on their part. This petition is another step in holding the Buckeye Police Department accountable to make sure this case is taken seriously," the petition said. 

Human skull found not Daniel Robinson's

According to a statement released on September 16 by the Buckeye Police Department, a human skull found near the area of Daniel’s Jeep was determined to not be his. An initial police report stated that Daniel did not tell anyone where he was going or why he was leaving. He was last seen leaving his work site near Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road.

On July 19, his Jeep was found in a ravine with significant damage. “No other human remains have been found, despite online reports claiming otherwise,” the police said. There were reports of other reports being found but they were later determined to be human bones. Investigators ruled out the possibility of foul play due to the state of the vehicle.