The person at the center of this case
Timothy Lee Benally
Missing Person · Open
34 years waiting · since 1992
Missing Person: Timothy Lee Benally
Justice for Timothy Lee Benally — the trail went cold in 1992, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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witness
Lead #1Who is the unidentified pastor in Mesa who hosted Timothy at a church in the mid-1990s?
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location
Lead #2What is the specific location of the homeless encampment in Mesa where Timothy's wife encountered the pastor?
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clue
Lead #3Why did Timothy leave his family in 1992 and what circumstances led to his homelessness?
Timothy Lee Benally, a US Navy veteran, disappeared from the Navajo Nation in summer 1992 at age 34 and has not been seen since. In 1998, his wife located a pastor in Mesa who recalled hosting Timothy at a church in the mid-1990s, but his current whereabouts remain unknown. No benefits have been claimed under his name, and investigators are seeking any information about his location or fate.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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evidence
Lead #4Has anyone reported seeing Timothy since 1998, or are there any records of his activities between 1992 and 1998?
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Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP158841. Missing person: Timothy Lee Benally.
Last known contact: 1992-01-01 in Mesa, Maricopa, AZ. Circumstances: Timothy Lee Benally was reported missing by his wife stating he has been missing since 1992.
She stated no one in the family has seen Timothy since he left her family's home up in the Navajo Nation in Summer of 1992. His wife claims she ventured to a homeless encampment in an unknown location within Mesa in 1998.
There, she spoke with an unidentified pastor of a church who remembered hosting Timothy in the mid 90s. At this point, Timothy's whereabouts are unknown.
The Department of Veteran Affairs confirmed no benefits have been claimed by Timothy, who is a US Navy Veteran. Additionally, the Social Security Administration advised no SSI benefits have been withdrawn on Timothy's behalf.
Demographics: 34 years, Male, American Indian / Alaska Native. Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 200 lbs, hair: Black, eyes: Brown.
Investigating agency: Chandler Police Department | 2026-12197 | 2026-01-26.
Timeline of Events
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1992-06-01
Timothy Lee Benally Missing
Timothy left his family's home in the Navajo Nation in summer 1992 and has not been seen since.
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1998-01-01
Pastor Sighting Report
Timothy's wife located an unidentified pastor in a homeless encampment in Mesa who recalled hosting Timothy at a church in the mid-1990s.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 1, 1992
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
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Phone: 4807824000
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 1992
Last Updated:June 2, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 4807824000
You can remain anonymous