A candlelight vigil brought out dozens of people Saturday to the Arizona Capitol in honor of 25-year-old Daniel Robinson, a geologist who went missing nine months ago in the desert just outside of Buckeye.
The vigil began at 6:30 p.m. where at least 50 people gathered on the Capitol Lawn outside of the Arizona State Capitol Museum. A short prayer was followed by a speech from Gizette Knight, president of the Shining Light Foundation and Janelle Wood, founder of Black Mothers Forum.
"My son is my mission," said David Robinson, Daniel's father. "The candlelight vigil is to bring some awareness to my son's case and also bring fresh light to other families who are going through the same exact thing — (to) get the urgency that they need from law enforcement."
Daniel was last seen on the morning of June 23, 2021, driving west from his worksite in an area west of Sun Valley Parkway and north of Cactus Road. On July 19, Daniel's blue 2017 Jeep Renegade was found by a rancher a few miles out from his worksite, in a remote part of the desert.
"We are residents of South Carolina, Daniel and my son went to high school together. So when Daniel went missing last year, it's weighed heavily on my heart to not only support his family but also bring awareness that he's still missing here almost a year later," said Amy Cue, who attended the vigil. "People don't just vanish and so we need to bring awareness to it and figure out what happened, where he is and hopefully bring him home safe."
To conclude the event, David Robinson gave a speech about Daniel and the community's efforts to find him.
"I've been here since June 26 searching for my son. He's been missing almost going on nine months now," said Robinson. "I've been begging and pleading for the local police department to help me do more in my endeavors. All I have now is a grassroots organization where we go out and search, passing out flyers, doing everything we can for him."
A $10,000 reward is being offered by Daniel's family for information that can bring him home. If you have any information, go to pleasehelpfinddaniel.com or call a tip line at 844-602-0660.
Reach breaking news reporter Haleigh Kochanski at hkochanski@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @HaleighKochans.
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