BUCKEYE, Ariz. — WARNING: Images contained in the video above may be disturbing.
Skeletal remains, including a skull and other bones, were found in a remote desert area in Buckeye, police said.
Buckeye police said the remains were discovered at about 1 p.m. on Saturday, in the area near Johnson Road and Southern Avenue.
12News spoke with Penny Buffington who found the remains. She said at first she didn't recognize what they were until she got closer.
"It was absolutely freaky," Buffington said. "It was not a pleasant site."
Buffington then noticed more remains nearby along with clothes scattered along the trail.
Trying to connect the dots as to who the remains could belong to, Buffington's mind went to a missing persons case that has gained national attention: "One of the first thoughts was, is it Daniel?"
Buffington is referring to 25-year-old Daniel Robinson, a geologist who worked in Buckeye and was last seen on June 23, 2021. His car was found days later abandoned in a ravine. It led to dozens of massive searches all over the area. Buffington said she was a frequent volunteer. So when she saw the human skull, she first called 911 and then the missing man's father, David Robinson.
"It's scary," said David Robinson. "It always takes me for a shock every time."
However, Robinson, in his search efforts, has been in this same situation before.
"We've found a human skull and some other remains in the past," Robinson said.
Both times, the DNA test did not match Daniel's. Which he said brought a sense of relief.
"With my faith, I just really want to believe and feel that my son is still alive," Robinson said.
He also said where his son was last seen is about 12 miles away from where these recent remains were found. Still, there is that possibility.
"That's still concerning to me," he said.
On Monday, Robinson's father posted a tweet stating that the human remains do not belong to Daniel.
Investigators are currently processing the scene and will turn over the remains to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office for processing and identification.
Robinson will continue to search for his missing son.
"I'm still going to fight for him, I still have not given up," Robison said.
He told 12News there will be a public search effort for Daniel in February. You can learn more by clicking here.
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