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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person
Lead #1Who was the unidentified pastor at the Mesa homeless encampment who claimed to have known Timothy in the mid-1990s?
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location
Lead #2What is the specific location of the homeless encampment in Mesa where Timothy may have been seen in 1998?
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clue
Lead #3Why has Timothy not claimed any VA or Social Security benefits since 1992 despite being a US Navy veteran?
Timothy Lee Benally, a US Navy veteran, disappeared in summer 1992 from the Navajo Nation and has not been seen since, though his wife reported a possible 1998 sighting of him at a homeless encampment in Mesa, Arizona. No benefits have been claimed under his name, and his current whereabouts remain completely unknown. Anyone with information about Timothy's location or activities since 1992 is urged to contact the Chandler Police Department.
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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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witness
Lead #4Are there other individuals from the homeless encampment or church community who remember Timothy or can provide information about his activities?
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 Benally Missing
Timothy Lee Benally left his family home in the Navajo Nation in summer 1992 and has not been seen by family since.
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1998-01-01
Possible Sighting at Homeless Encampment
Timothy's wife reported encountering an unidentified pastor at a homeless encampment in Mesa who claimed to have hosted Timothy in the mid-1990s.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:June 1, 1992
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 4807824000
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 1992
Last Updated:September 26, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 4807824000
You can remain anonymous