Virginia Beach, January 13, 2026 — Former NFL cornerback Sam Beal has been missing since July 2025, and the search for him continues. As his family and fans grow increasingly concerned, attention has turned to the woman who last spoke with him before he vanished: his girlfriend.
Sam Beal’s Last Known Contact
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), Beal was last seen on July 12, 2025, after dropping his girlfriend at a family member’s home. He borrowed her car, saying he was heading to work, but instead drove towards Virginia Beach, where the car was later found abandoned.
The following day, Beal called his girlfriend, telling her he was in Virginia Beach and planned to return home. That phone call on July 13, 2025, was the last time anyone heard from him.
What We Know About Beal’s Girlfriend
The identity of Beal’s girlfriend has not been publicly disclosed. Police have not suggested any wrongdoing on her part, and there is no evidence linking her to his disappearance.
NamUs reports show that Beal’s shoes and socks were found on the front passenger floor of the recovered car, along with sand, raising questions about his last movements. Authorities continue to investigate, focusing on his movements after leaving Virginia Beach.
Timeline of Events
-
July 12, 2025: Beal drops his girlfriend at a relative’s house and borrows her car.
-
July 13, 2025: Beal calls his girlfriend from Virginia Beach, saying he is heading home.
-
After July 13, 2025: No one has seen or heard from Beal. His wallet, banking card, and ID were still with him.
Beal is described as 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 185 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, a short beard, and a muscular build. There has been no financial or phone activity since his disappearance.
Public Plea from Sam Beal’s Sister
On January 12, 2026, Beal’s elder sister, Essence Zhane, made a public plea on Facebook, sharing his missing person report, ID photo, and police contacts. She wrote:
“Tomorrow makes it seven months since we’ve last heard from or seen my brother. We’ve done everything we could on our end to piece things together, and at this point, we’re in desperate need of support on all ends.”
She asked anyone with information to help provide answers or closure, as the family continues to search for him.
About Sam Beal
Sam Beal was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 supplemental draft. His NFL career faced interruptions due to injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic. Beal played in six NFL games in 2019, recording 26 tackles (20 solo) and a passer rating in coverage of 104.2, according to Pro Football Focus. He was officially waived by the Giants in 2021.
Authorities urge anyone with information about Beal’s whereabouts to contact the Virginia Beach Police Department, Kentwood Police Department, or the Missing Persons Detective Bureau.
