Sam Beal Arrested for Unpaid Child Support, Then Disappears: New Details Emerge
Former NFL cornerback Sam Beal, a third-round supplemental draft pick by the New York Giants in 2018, has resurfaced in the headlines under troubling circumstances. New information shows that Beal was jailed for unpaid child support several months before he disappeared, adding a significant chapter to one of the most puzzling missing-persons cases involving a former professional athlete.
Beal, now 29 years old, has been missing since July 2025, and authorities have been searching for him for more than seven months. What has come to light in recent days are previously unreported details indicating that Beal spent nearly five months in jail from September 2024 through February 2025 due to alleged failure to pay child support — a period that directly preceded his disappearance.
From Jail to Vanishing
According to law enforcement and the missing-persons file, Beal was incarcerated after Michigan officials charged him with failing to make required child support payments in 2024. He was released early in 2025 and, shortly after regaining his freedom, reportedly began acting in ways that alarmed those close to him.
One witness told authorities that Beal “seemed a little off” following his release and had stopped taking medication he had previously been prescribed because he did not like how it made him feel. Friends also noted that his emotional struggles appeared to intensify after his professional football career ended in March 2024, leading some to express concern for his well-being.
In chilling hindsight, the witness told police that Beal made a disturbing remark suggesting emotional despair: “If I was gone nobody would even care.” Though he did not express explicit suicidal intent, the comment raised alarm among those who knew him.
The Disappearance
Beal was last seen in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 12, 2025 after dropping off his girlfriend and borrowing her vehicle. He told her by phone the next day that he would return home, but he never did. Police later recovered the car with Beal’s shoes, socks, and sand inside, and his wallet was found with basic identification, suggesting he had left with only the clothes he was wearing.
His family initially reported him missing after he failed to check in with his parole officer in August 2025, and a missing-persons report was subsequently filed. Authorities in both Kentwood, Michigan, where his family resides, and Virginia Beach have been actively investigating his disappearance.
Family’s Plea for Help
Beal’s sister, Essence Zhane, has taken the heartbreaking step of asking the public for help locating him. In social media posts, she described carrying the emotional weight of not knowing her brother’s whereabouts for months and urged anyone with information to come forward, saying the family is in “desperate need of support” from the public and law enforcement.
Beal’s relatives have shared his missing-persons entry with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and are encouraging anyone who may have seen him or has additional information to contact the relevant police departments in Michigan and Virginia Beach.
Troubled Path After the NFL
Beal’s professional football career showed early promise; he was selected by the Giants in 2018 and played cornerback after starring at Western Michigan University. However, injuries and other setbacks limited his playing time, and he was released by the Giants in 2021. Beyond football, he faced legal issues, including past gun-related charges, and struggled to maintain stability after leaving the NFL.
The combination of legal troubles, emotional strain, and extended time behind bars appears to have compounded the challenges Beal faced post-career — challenges that have now culminated in a perplexing disappearance that has left family, friends and fans deeply concerned.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue to pursue leads and have urged anyone with relevant information to reach out. The case remains open, with police, the missing-persons database and community advocates all hoping for any clue that could help resolve what has become a long-running mystery. As time passes, the family’s plea for attention and answers grows more urgent, and Beal’s story remains a poignant reminder of the personal struggles that can follow life after professional sports.
