Former New York Giants cornerback Sam Beal has been missing since July, with his family renewing a public appeal for help as the search enters its seventh month.
Beal, 29, was last seen on July 12 after dropping off his girlfriend. The following day, he told her by phone that he was in Virginia Beach. He has not been seen or heard from since.
His disappearance has left his family searching for answers. His sister, Essence Zhane, took to social media this week to issue an emotional plea.
“Tomorrow makes it 7 months since we’ve last heard from or seen my brother,” she wrote on Facebook.
“We’ve done everything we could on our end to piece things together and at this point we’re in desperate need of support on all ends.”
Last known movements
According to police records, Beal borrowed his girlfriend’s vehicle on July 12 and was expected to drive to work. He never arrived.
His girlfriend last spoke to him on July 13. During that call, Beal said he was in Virginia Beach and planned to head home. He did not return the next day.
A member of his girlfriend’s family later recovered the vehicle in Virginia Beach. Inside the car were Beal’s shoes, socks and sand, left on the front passenger seat.
Police reports state that Beal took only the clothes he was wearing, a pair of slides and his wallet. The wallet contained his driver’s licence and banking card.
The family first contacted the Virginia Beach Police Department. Officers later directed the case to the Kentwood Police Department in Michigan, which now leads the investigation.
Family searching for answers
In her post, Beal’s sister made clear the family is not seeking speculation.
“I’m not here to answer a bunch of why’s and how’s,” she wrote. “I just need this to land in the right direction to gain some form of answers or closure.”
“I’m a big sister and I need my brother to know that we love you and miss you and this has been a heavy feeling for months to carry around.”
The family urges anyone with information to contact the Kentwood Police Department at 616-698-6580 or the Virginia Beach Police Department.
NFL career background
Beal entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2018 supplemental draft, selected by the New York Giants.
He played three seasons with the team, appearing in nine games and recording 27 tackles and one pass defensed. He opted out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Giants released Beal in 2021. He stepped away from professional football shortly after.
