Daniel was last seen on 6/23/21 at approximately 0915. He was born with partial right arm at forearm, no right hand. He was last seen leaving a job site in the area of Sun Valley Parkway and Cactus Road in Buckeye. His vehicle was later located approximately four miles southwest of the job site he was last seen at. The family hired a private investigator, Jeff McGrath, a retired police officer who specializes in collision evidence.

McGrath suspects the crash was deliberately set up. He discovered that Daniel's jeep had been driven for approximately eleven miles after its airbags deployed. Furthermore, McGrath identified red paint transfer on the jeep, suggesting a prior collision before it ended up in the ravine. McGrath also found that someone other than the police had entered Daniel’s room after his disappearance, ransacking his closet and gaining access to his laptop.