KENTWOOD, Mich. — Beal, 29, was last heard from on July 12, 2025. According to family members, the Michigan native borrowed his girlfriend’s vehicle after dropping her off at a relative’s home and said he was heading to work. Instead, he traveled to Virginia Beach, Virginia, a location where relatives say he had no known personal or professional connections.
The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain puzzling. Authorities later recovered the vehicle abandoned in Virginia Beach. Inside were Beal’s shoes, socks, and sand scattered across the floorboard. Family members say his final communication indicated he intended to return home, but he never arrived and has not been heard from since.
His sister, Essence Zhane, recently renewed public attention to the case through a social media appeal, urging anyone with information to contact investigators.
Before his disappearance, Beal was known for his athletic career. A standout at Western Michigan University, he was selected by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft and appeared in nine games over three seasons.
Family members have acknowledged that Beal faced personal challenges after his football career, but investigators have not publicly identified any definitive explanation for his disappearance. As the one-year anniversary approaches, the case remains active.
For Beal’s family, the goal remains unchanged: finding answers. Authorities continue to encourage anyone with relevant information, no matter how minor it may seem, to contact the Kentwood Police Department or the Virginia Beach Police Department.
The case serves as a reminder that behind every missing-person investigation is a family still waiting for a phone call, a lead, or a breakthrough that could finally bring closure.