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 remembered hosting Timothy? Can this person provide details about when and where Timothy stayed?
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location
Lead #2What is the exact location of the homeless encampment in Mesa where Timothy's wife made inquiries in 1998?
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evidence
Lead #3Why has there been no activity on Timothy's VA benefits or Social Security accounts since 1992—does this suggest foul play or voluntary disappearance?
Timothy Lee Benally, a US Navy veteran, disappeared in the summer of 1992 from the Navajo Nation and was last confirmed in Mesa, Arizona. His wife reported him missing decades later after learning from a pastor that Timothy may have been homeless in Mesa during the mid-1990s. Despite no activity on his benefits or Social Security accounts, his current whereabouts remain completely unknown after more than 30 years.
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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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person
Lead #4Are there other homeless individuals or church members from the mid-1990s in Mesa who may have encountered Timothy?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
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 disappears
Timothy left his family's home in the Navajo Nation in summer of 1992 and has not been seen by family since.
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1998-01-01
Possible sighting reported
Timothy's wife ventured to a homeless encampment in Mesa and spoke with an unidentified pastor 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:May 22, 2026
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Phone: 4807824000
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 1992
Last Updated:May 22, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 4807824000
You can remain anonymous