Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP30752) and 3 other sources
In the spring of 1997, a 37-year-old man named David Clarence Beneteau seemingly vanished from the streets of Phoenix, Arizona. On May 22nd, he was last seen in the area of 31st Avenue and Camelback Road, a busy intersection in the sprawling city. From that day forward, his friends, family, and law enforcement have been left with a painful silence and a case that has grown cold with the passing of decades. At the time of his disappearance, David was described as a white male, standing at five feet six inches tall and weighing around 155 pounds. He had brown, receding hair, and distinctive round, blue eyes. He also had a mustache at the time he went missing.

David's appearance was marked by numerous tattoos, intricate and personal works of art that told a story on his skin. On his right arm, he had a keyhole, a chain, a skull, and flames. Both of his upper arms were adorned with the image of a woman. His left arm was a canvas for a skull, a woman's face, a peacock, a rose, barbed wire, and the poignant phrase 'cry now, smile later.' Perhaps the most notable and telling tattoo was a single teardrop just under his left eye. The only clothing detail noted in his case file is that he wore a size 8.5 shoe. He was also known to sometimes use the last names Benetean or Beneter.

The circumstances surrounding David's disappearance remain shrouded in mystery, with few details available to the public. He was last seen in a specific area of Phoenix, but what he was doing there, who he was with, and where he might have been going are all unanswered questions. Since he was last seen, there have been no credible sightings or communications from him reported. The Phoenix Police Department is the investigating agency for his case, which was formally reported on October 24, 2015. The lack of new information over the years presents a significant challenge for investigators. Despite the passage of time, his case remains open, a lingering question in the files of unsolved missing persons, and a source of enduring uncertainty for those who knew him.

Last Seen: May 22, 1997

Possible Unidentified Matches (10)

Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

83%Moderate
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1949
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1949 • Found Aug 4, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36–37
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 2 months after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 88%130 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona
UP2057 • Found Aug 21, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 35–50 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
82%Moderate
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP1971
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP1971 • Found Apr 7, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–40 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%5 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%160 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
82%Moderate
John Doe — Mesa, Arizona - unidentified case UP1947
John Doe — Mesa, Arizona
UP1947 • Found Aug 23, 1997
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 20–40 vs 36–37
Race 100%White
Location 99%14 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 months after last seen
Height 100%5'6" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%140 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona - unidentified case UP2036
John Doe — Phoenix, Arizona
UP2036 • Found Jul 26, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%Same area, same county
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
81%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP1968
John Doe — Arizona
UP1968 • Found Nov 2, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 40–55 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 3 years after last seen
Height 100%5'7" vs 5'6"
80%Moderate
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona - unidentified case UP6601
John Doe — Laveen, Arizona
UP6601 • Found Nov 22, 2009
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%8 mi away, same county
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 84%5'8" vs 5'6"
Weight 100%142 lb vs 155 lb
80%Moderate
John Doe — Chandler, Arizona - unidentified case UP1988
John Doe — Chandler, Arizona
UP1988 • Found Jul 22, 2002
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 85%Est. 30–50 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 98%17 mi away, same county
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 94%135 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
80%Moderate
John Doe — Arizona - unidentified case UP1977
John Doe — Arizona
UP1977 • Found Nov 10, 2001
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 25–40 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 96%23 mi away, same county
TimingFound 4 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"
Weight 79%123 lb vs 155 lb
Hair 60%Black vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Blue
79%Possible
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona - unidentified case UP6436
John Doe — Casa Grande, Arizona
UP6436 • Found Sep 4, 2003
View case
Sex ✓Male
Age 100%Est. 33–42 vs 36–37 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%41 mi away, same state
TimingFound 6 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'6"

These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.