The family of former New York Giants cornerback Sam Beal is urgently seeking the public's help in locating the ex-football player, who disappeared in Virginia last July. His sister, Essence Zhane, took to Facebook on Monday to mark seven months since his disappearance, describing the family's desperation for answers.
Beal, 29, was last seen on July 12, when he dropped off his girlfriend at a relative's house in Virginia. The following day, he phoned his girlfriend to say he was in Virginia Beach and heading home soon, but he has not been seen or heard from since. His girlfriend's vehicle was later found in Virginia Beach, containing Beal's shoes, socks and some sand.
In her emotional Facebook post, Zhane wrote: "We've done everything we could on our end to piece things together… At this point we're in desperate need of support on all ends." She added: "I'm a Big sister and I need my brother to know that We Love You and miss you and this has been a heavy feeling for months to carry around." She urged anyone with information to contact the Virginia Beach Police Department or the Kentwood Police Department in Michigan.
A spokesperson for Virginia Beach Police confirmed they are aware of the situation and are actively supporting the Kentwood Police Department, the department of record, in their ongoing investigation. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Beal grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and played college football for Western Michigan University. He was drafted by the New York Giants in 2018, but a shoulder injury sidelined him before his rookie season. He went on to play nine games for the team before opting out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic, and was released in 2021.
In 2021, Beal pleaded guilty in Ohio to gun charges stemming from a 2020 arrest on concealed weapon and marijuana possession counts. When contacted by The Independent on Tuesday, a Giants spokesperson declined to comment. Beal is described as 6'2", 185 pounds, with short black hair and a close-shaved beard.
