Missing Person Report: Former NFL Player Sam Beal
New details have emerged regarding the disappearance of former NFL player Sam Beal, who went missing in Kentwood, Michigan, seven months ago. A report filed with local police sheds light on Beal’s state of mind leading up to his disappearance.
Witnesses revealed that Beal had expressed troubling sentiments multiple times between 2023 and 2025, notably saying, “No one will care if I’m gone.” This information came from a police report accessed via a Freedom of Information Act request.
Beal, who was drafted by the New York Giants in the third round of the 2018 supplemental draft, was last seen in July 2025. He had borrowed his girlfriend’s car to drop her off at a family member’s house before heading to work. After that, he traveled to Virginia Beach and has since vanished.
According to the missing persons report, Beal appeared to be struggling after his NFL career ended. He had a stint in prison for unpaid child support from a previous relationship, which lasted from September 2024 to February 2025.
One witness noted that Beal’s behavior seemed a bit unusual after he was released from jail. The witness remembered a specific incident during a tornado when Beal told her she wouldn’t mind being taken away by it. This comment, among others, prompted concerns.
Recently, reports indicated that Beal had stopped taking his prescribed medications, which could have contributed to his erratic behavior.
A police report also mentioned that Beal was employed at Amazon in Kentwood. Unfortunately, a breakdown in communication between Beal’s family and a witness delayed the filing of a missing person report until August, after a parole agent alerted the witness that Beal hadn’t checked in.
Beal’s sister, Essence Zane, made headlines this week with a public plea for information on social media, expressing deep concern for her brother’s whereabouts. Police in Kentwood shared that they currently have no new updates regarding the ongoing case.
The Virginia Beach Police Department acknowledged their involvement, stating they are actively supporting the Kentwood Police in the investigation.
Interestingly, it’s unclear if Beal has any connections to Virginia Beach. Investigators are reportedly doing their best to locate him, reaching out to local hospitals and maintaining communication with the police department.
During his short NFL career, Beal played in nine games for the Giants, performing in three of them in 2019 and three in 2021 after his college football tenure at Western Michigan University.
In a heartfelt message to her brother, Zane expressed how much he is missed, saying, “I love you and I would do anything for a hug from you. Your babies miss you. They act just like you do.” She also apologized for any moments she may have seemed distant, reassuring him that she always cared.
