The complete lack of reason in Sam Beal’s disappearance is the first thing that comes to mind. One minute he’s driving his girlfriend’s car, apparently on his way to work. The next time, his shoes, socks, and sand are discovered inside that abandoned car in Virginia Beach. Not only did he disappear, but the details he left behind seem eerily intentional but completely unclear.
Beal had previously been a rising star in the NFL. He joined the New York Giants with high expectations after being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Supplemental Draft. He missed a lot of time due to a shoulder injury, and the pandemic made him decide not to play in 2020. Although he showed signs of promise with six appearances in 2019 and consistent defensive play, his NFL career was a rocky path that never quite reached the arc it appeared to promise.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samuel Beal |
| Age | 29 |
| Last Seen | July 12, 2025 |
| Location Last Seen | Virginia Beach, Virginia |
| Last Contact | July 13, 2025 (phone call to girlfriend) |
| Vehicle Recovered | Girlfriend’s car, found with Beal’s shoes, socks, and sand inside |
| Investigating Authority | Kentwood Police Department, Virginia Beach PD |
| Known Affiliation | Former NFL Cornerback, New York Giants (2018–2021) |
| Credible Source | Newsweek Article |
Nevertheless, none of that explains why he borrowed his girlfriend’s car in the summer of 2025 and appeared to drive into a void.
On July 12, Beal dropped his girlfriend off at a family member’s house, according to the official missing person report submitted to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Then, according to him, he drove her car to work. Rather, he took a detour to Virginia Beach. She got a call a day later. He said he was on his way home from Virginia Beach. He didn’t.
Essence Zhane, his sister, has been the one bringing this case to the public’s attention. Seven months without communication was noted in her Facebook post, which was raw with grief and hope. She wrote, “I need my brother to know that we miss and love you.” “This has been a burdensome emotion to bear for months.” It was an appeal for humanity rather than a demand for answers.
One of the girlfriend’s relatives discovered the car, which provided some hints but not enough to piece together a cohesive story. On the passenger-side floor were Beal’s socks and shoes. There was sand, but no blood, broken glass, note, or indication of a struggle. Just a spooky quiet.
I started to visualize that sand. Muted, clinging, and damp. A seemingly unremarkable yet strangely eerie detail.
Officially, no foul play has been reported. His girlfriend, who was the last to see or talk to him, has not been publicly linked to any wrongdoing, and police have not named any suspects. Her voice has not been heard in the media frenzy surrounding the case, and her identity has remained secret. Maybe she’s also grieving. Or maybe the mystery she was left with is just as meaningless as the timeline seems to the rest of us.
It turns out that Beal didn’t bring much with him. Do not bring an overnight bag. No charger for a phone. Only his clothes, his wallet, and his slides. It’s not the equipment of a man who intends to disappear, nor is it the travel gear of a long-distance traveler. Most people who are trying to make sense of it are troubled by the lack of preparation.
He wasn’t just another forgotten player. At Western Michigan, he recorded impressive stats in college, including 96 tackles, two interceptions, and almost 20 passes defended. There’s a reason the Giants wagered on him. Off the field, he was reportedly attempting to rebuild despite legal issues in 2020 related to gun-related charges. No known dangers. No court orders. No enemies’ trail.
However, unspoken conflicts are always a possibility.
Was he attempting to vanish? Was that beach the scene of an incident? Could someone close to him know more than they have stated, or did Sam decide to cut off his connection to his life for reasons we may never know?
The weight of a sister’s silence cannot be accurately measured. Essence Zhane hasn’t made a lot of interviews or accusations public. Her updates, pictures, and appeals seem more like prayers than statements. It might be a good thing there isn’t a media frenzy. Alternatively, it might represent a more difficult reality: cases involving Black men, even those who were once well-known, don’t always receive the attention they merit.
Beal is remembered by football fans for his tough style, ability to bounce back from injuries, and potential. However, seven months is a long time to continue caring for someone you’ve never met, and time erodes visibility.
The only official channels are still Kentwood Police and the Virginia Beach Police Department. We encourage anyone with information to get in touch. There is only an open case file and an increasing sense of urgency—no press conference is planned, and no reward has been announced.
The quiet becomes overwhelming when there are no updates.
And the last thing we are certain of is the sand that is still stuck to the car’s floor.
