Found Deceased AZ - Benjamin Anderson, 41, Car found burned, Phoenix, 31 Dec 2021

[Ilex]

So upthread the Ben's bathroom window being open was mentioned in MSM reporting. Here is a photo of the bathroom windows at those apartments. It is about 18" x 18" , 2' square at the most. These are Casement windows that open vertically. A small crank turns a gear and pushes a slim lever to open them (after unlatching). From personally experience when they get this old they are a pain. Originally they could be opened almost fully maybe 75 degrees. Mostly they open about 45 degrees at max. the sill is about 5 and half feet above ground level.

As I was driving through the neighborhood this am. I saw the individual on his bike. This may or may not be an actual thief but it's a good approximation of the type of petty crime that might occur in Ben's area. "Opportunistic" thieves travel from Sunnyslope (N. 2 miles) or from S. of Indian School (about 2.5 miles) or from the avenues. They see an open garage, an unlocked car, etc. and grab whatever they can hock (phone, wallets, bikes) or this can be a recon where they are noting homes that look closed up for a longer period or no one home during the day.

I think if someone had climbed in through a window, the intent would have been to rob and there would have been things missing. I also think the home would have been in more of a mess.
There's so much about this whole thing that doesn't make sense. Why would Ben call his friend to cancel plans, then take a shower and go out? Why was Ben taken 30 miles away, but then the car driven back and used all night, and then set ablaze? Why keep the car and take the chance? Why was the towel still wet when his friends went to his apt hours later? Why was his phone missing, but his credit cards left behind?

 

[Ilex]

The police have no obligation to share evidence in a murder investigation with the public. "The trio" may well be involved in Ben's murder but not as yet been charged because they are being pressured into or are already cooperating with authorities.

In my state, the authorities have a reputation for keeping things very confidential, but when there is a murder they'll release a composite of someone they're looking into.

 

[Mccrackenator]

I don’t keep company with those kinds of people, and Benjamin J. Anderson was as forthright & as honest as they come.

I’m not saying that Ben is a dishonest person. It is neither uncommon, malicious, nor immoral to be less than candid with someone to preserve a working relationship. It’s like saying someone’s haircut looks fine after they ask you (when in reality you don’t like it). <modsnip: No link to support info stated as fact>

 

[Mccrackenator]

I believe the lack of information provided to the public by law enforcement means they are working on something and don’t want to blow it. Dan and they other friends have already been cleared. They have way more information than what’s been shared with the public to base this decision on. Not everyone that had contact with Ben that day has spoken to the media but from my understanding have all had contact with law enforcement at this point. I didn’t even speak with him that day but I shared what I knew of his character.

Remember Dan can only provide part of the picture and the expectation placed on him is a bit ridiculous. No matter how he responds he will be scrutinized. On one hand I get it because he’s become the face of this case but on the other we need to explore the other clues to see if that leads us anywhere.

If Ben’s family had a problem with Dan speaking to the media out of respect for them he absolutely would stop.

We are all trying to do what Ben what have wanted and also respect his family. There are things I want to do and say but will hold until I get the green light from his parents. He was their only child and this is incredibly painful for them.

There’s mention of the go fund me for the reward money. No matter how much is raised on the site there is still money available that not on there yet including my money and some others that will make up the difference of what’s in the go fund me to make sure it’s covered. I know Ben would have done the same for me had the situation been reversed.

Thank you for the update! Ben must be so grateful that a friend like you is still keeping his flame alive. Not sure if you believe in God or an afterlife but if you do, rest assured that your efforts won’t be forgotten.

I’m also pleased to hear the friends have been cleared, as this should have been anticipated. Now, hopefully we can move closer to the truth of the matter without diversions

 

[Hexe]

I've been thinking about Ben's car and the video of the three people that was not released... Maybe these three had nothing to do with Ben's death, just stumbled into an empty car and took it for a joyride. Then if there was any blood inside, they might decided to torch it, to destroy their own traces inside and avoid getting accused of the murder. If the LE knows that, there is no reason to release the video.

As for Ben cancelling... I do not think he lied just like that, to avoid the meeting. I think that he gave Dan an excuse because either there was a perpetrator already around, forcing him to drop the meeting, or Ben expected that the perp might appear any time and wanted to keep Dan away and prevent him from checking why he did not show up for the brunch. That's my way of thinking.

 

[thelb09]

I believe the lack of information provided to the public by law enforcement means they are working on something and don’t want to blow it. Dan and they other friends have already been cleared. They have way more information than what’s been shared with the public to base this decision on. Not everyone that had contact with Ben that day has spoken to the media but from my understanding have all had contact with law enforcement at this point. I didn’t even speak with him that day but I shared what I knew of his character.

Remember Dan can only provide part of the picture and the expectation placed on him is a bit ridiculous. No matter how he responds he will be scrutinized. On one hand I get it because he’s become the face of this case but on the other we need to explore the other clues to see if that leads us anywhere.

If Ben’s family had a problem with Dan speaking to the media out of respect for them he absolutely would stop.

We are all trying to do what Ben what have wanted and also respect his family. There are things I want to do and say but will hold until I get the green light from his parents. He was their only child and this is incredibly painful for them.

There’s mention of the go fund me for the reward money. No matter how much is raised on the site there is still money available that not on there yet including my money and some others that will make up the difference of what’s in the go fund me to make sure it’s covered. I know Ben would have done the same for me had the situation been reversed.

I’m glad you mentioned Dan was cleared. Of course he was investigated because of multiple reasons. But now he is the face of the case publicly.

I am slowly speaking about him and still afterwards I find myself breaking down. This is hard for all of us who want justice for Ben.

 

[thelb09]

In all due respect, I'm not concerned with Dan, Ben was murdered and where I put my focus.
I do believe if Ben's vehicle had been in the Sheraton parking lot, there would have been video released to the public. So either his friends are lying, or they were mistaken. I believe we're going to later find out that the vehicle his friends saw was not Bens. When people are frantically searching for their loved ones, they can make mistakes and I'm sure his friends were frantic.
I also think Ben was called out of the house, which would explain why his phone is missing. Since none of his local friends or family have said they called him or needed him for something immediately, it must have been someone outside of his inner circle. He sounds like the type of person who would run to help someone, even someone he didn't know well.
I'm shocked there hasn't been more national press on Ben's murder. A truck driver from out of state may have seen something, but without press coverage on a national level, people who aren't local to the area may not come forward.

I was hoping it had more National press. It was mentioned in a people magazine article right it happened and sadly how some found out. But no follow has been done.

 

[JJ Ray]

I think if someone had climbed in through a window, the intent would have been to rob and there would have been things missing. I also think the home would have been in more of a mess.
There's so much about this whole thing that doesn't make sense. Why would Ben call his friend to cancel plans, then take a shower and go out? Why was Ben taken 30 miles away, but then the car driven back and used all night, and then set ablaze? Why keep the car and take the chance? Why was the towel still wet when his friends went to his apt hours later? Why was his phone missing, but his credit cards left behind?

The towel remained wet from the morning...it is winter and not hot enough to dry it out. Summer, sure, AC removes moisture from air.
But spot on with all the other questions...

 

[JJ Ray]

In my state, the authorities have a reputation for keeping things very confidential, but when there is a murder they'll release a composite of someone they're looking into.

The description given (at least to press) is too vague to began a "composite" IMO.

 

[Mccrackenator]

I've been thinking about Ben's car and the video of the three people that was not released... Maybe these three had nothing to do with Ben's death, just stumbled into an empty car and took it for a joyride. Then if there was any blood inside, they might decided to torch it, to destroy their own traces inside and avoid getting accused of the murder. If the LE knows that, there is no reason to release the video.

As for Ben cancelling... I do not think he lied just like that, to avoid the meeting. I think that he gave Dan an excuse because either there was a perpetrator already around, forcing him to drop the meeting, or Ben expected that the perp might appear any time and wanted to keep Dan away and prevent him from checking why he did not show up for the brunch. That's my way of thinking.

regarding the three people in the car, that’s very plausible. In the Craig Cavanaugh case from a couple years ago, two people were photographed using his credit cards right after his disappearance. They ended up not being the murderers as 2 other guys were arrested later. They just happened to be two idiots who came into possession of stolen credit cards.

My theory on situations like this is that when a robbery goes wrong and results in a death, the thieves want to immediately distance themselves from any obvious evidence linking them to the crime. That means pawning off stolen property for pennies on the dollar or in other cases, outright disposal or destruction of valuable items (Lexus in this case, see also the murders of Lawrence and Glenna Shapiro where Michael Lee Crane instructed another party to bury stolen items in the desert to prevent their discovery)

 

[JJ Ray]

I was hoping it had more National press. It was mentioned in a people magazine article right it happened and sadly how some found out. But no follow has been done.

IMO you don't want that. Gabby Petitos are few and far between...More follow-up from local news should be done to keep people reviewing their videos and jogging theire memory. IMO It will get national press soon enough if MCSO remains silent/isn't making headway.

 

[JJ Ray]

Here's a video I shot last week in the garage to give everyone a sense of what that sighting would be like....

Ben Garage Night.mp4

 

[JJ Ray]

I’m glad you mentioned Dan was cleared. Of course he was investigated because of multiple reasons. But now he is the face of the case publicly.

I am slowly speaking about him and still afterwards I find myself breaking down. This is hard for all of us who want justice for Ben.

That may be by family (and other friends) design BTW.

 

[Angleterre]

I've been thinking about Ben's car and the video of the three people that was not released... Maybe these three had nothing to do with Ben's death, just stumbled into an empty car and took it for a joyride. Then if there was any blood inside, they might decided to torch it, to destroy their own traces inside and avoid getting accused of the murder. If the LE knows that, there is no reason to release the video.

As for Ben cancelling... I do not think he lied just like that, to avoid the meeting. I think that he gave Dan an excuse because either there was a perpetrator already around, forcing him to drop the meeting, or Ben expected that the perp might appear any time and wanted to keep Dan away and prevent him from checking why he did not show up for the brunch. That's my way of thinking.

These were my thoughts too that maybe Ben cancelled Dan on purpose because otherwise Dan may have walked into a situation that would have resulted in an ambush and he too could have ended up as Ben did. I shudder to think but maybe even in a high stress moment, Ben was still thinking of others and protecting them
I don’t know this for a fact but it crossed my mind right back at the beginning so it’s all speculation on my part and just MOO

 

[Sillybilly]

Discussion of fundraisers, their amounts and/or distribution, is not allowed at Websleuths unless it is a snippet of information in the introduction that is directly relevant to the case and not found elsewhere via MSM or from LE (i.e. "last seen at ...").

 

[Ssk]

I have a question …

Has anyone heard tell by way of any MSM report (or elsewhere) who it was that physically saw Ben in the morning near his residence on 12/31/2021? It seems that detail has been left out in every report I have seen or watched.

Also, I find it somewhat absurd that all of the reports/stories “the friends” went to the MSM with indicated that he would likely be wearing the shorts & black shirt/blue zip sweatshirt.

Did whoever claimed to have seen him alive that very morning THINK he/she recalled seeing Ben in that outfit or what? From the beginning, I have found that comment somewhat bizarre.

I have seen in many a missing person report “He /she was last seen wearing ____”

That said, I do not believe it is nearly as common to see “… may be wearing ____.”

Very odd indeed. Thoughts?

Hello! I am new to this or any blog/forum)discussion page. I have never joined any pages before in my life but for some reason this murder just sticks with me. (Of all the murders and bodies found in the desert).
Benjamin Anderson must have been an hire a young man/human being!! Not only has he captured the hearts of those around him during his 41 years of life here on earth and is still capturing everyone's heart !!!!
What a remarkable person!! I don't care the reason he was murdered there is no punishment severe enough for the person (s) who took his life!!!
I sit here day after day searching the news on the internet in hopes to find out they have made an arrest.
I don't know why I am contacting you and I am sorry if I am bothering you but I did not even know Benjamin and I want to scream and go shake some sense into the police. <modsnip>

 

[Blondiexoxo]

Do we know if Ben had any New Year plans? I’m wondering if that’s why the alarm was raised so early, if he had plans for the evening of the 31st to celebrate with friends/family and never showed up. Where did Ben spend Christmas? What were Ben’s plans for New Year’s Day?

When was Ben actually last seen alive, other than the phone call when he cancelled breakfast. When was the last time it can be confirmed that Ben was alive and well and not in any danger? So many questions, I just hope LE are starting to unravel the answers by now.

 

[branmuffin]

Yes. As far as I know, it is still missing (unless someone knows something I do not).

I read on many news sites that Ben was last seen on December 31. Did anyone see or talk to him the day before on December 30? Do we know who actually saw him in the flesh or is this just a reference to someone who spoke with him on that day (DS)? IIRC other people said any calls went right to voice mail on Dec 31 (his aunt).

Everyone says that Ben lived on his phone so I presume when he was using it he had its location service on. With the phone LE should be able to identify where calls from the phone were made. So if Ben was actually at home when he called DS at 8 am LE should be able to verify that information. LE should also be able to find whether calls were made from Ben's phone after his body was found and the locations they were made. Under the circumstances, I presume LE has already requested a dump of BA's cell phone data to establish where his phone made its last call, the phone number that called, etc. However, if they do not have possession of the phone I don't know whether any of that information is accessible, although this article says information can still be obtained without LE having physical possession of the phone.

It’s easier than ever for police to get your phone data

We have no way of knowing if a request has been made and LE is under no obligation to provide it to the general public or his loved ones.

The new information regarding the open window in Ben's bathroom has me intrigued. Phoenix temperatures on the 31st of December ranged from 52 degree F low to 59 degrees F high.

So depending on the orientation of the bathroom window, how big Ben's apartment was and whether the bathroom door was open I think it would have been fairly obvious walking into the apartment that the interior was pretty chilly. So if it'd been me walking in there I'd be looking for the source of the cold. It's very possible Ben was home that morning and that he did take a shower then opened the window to dispense the steam.

I still haven't made up my mind whether he ever made it back home from his trip or even if he went on a trip. You would think the friends he visited up north would have verified with LE that he did come to visit but I haven't heard anything along those lines.

 

[BenjaminJAndersonAlly]

I read on many news sites that Ben was last seen on December 31. Did anyone see or talk to him the day before on December 30? Do we know who actually saw him in the flesh or is this just a reference to someone who spoke with him on that day (DS)? IIRC other people said any calls went right to voice mail on Dec 31 (his aunt).

Everyone says that Ben lived on his phone so I presume when he was using it he had its location service on. With the phone LE should be able to identify where calls from the phone were made. So if Ben was actually at home when he called DS at 8 am LE should be able to verify that information. LE should also be able to find whether calls were made from Ben's phone after his body was found and the locations they were made. Under the circumstances, I presume LE has already requested a dump of BA's cell phone data to establish where his phone made its last call, the phone number that called, etc. However, if they do not have possession of the phone I don't know whether any of that information is accessible, although this article says information can still be obtained without LE having physical possession of the phone.

It’s easier than ever for police to get your phone data

We have no way of knowing if a request has been made and LE is under no obligation to provide it to the general public or his loved ones.

The new information regarding the open window in Ben's bathroom has me intrigued. Phoenix temperatures on the 31st of December ranged from 52 degree F low to 59 degrees F high.

So depending on the orientation of the bathroom window, how big Ben's apartment was and whether the bathroom door was open I think it would have been fairly obvious walking into the apartment that the interior was pretty chilly. So if it'd been me walking in there I'd be looking for the source of the cold. It's very possible Ben was home that morning and that he did take a shower then opened the window to dispense the steam.

I still haven't made up my mind whether he ever made it back home from his trip or even if he went on a trip. You would think the friends he visited up north would have verified with LE that he did come to visit but I haven't heard anything along those lines.

I am not sure whether this was directed at other sleuths besides me (since I have mentioned this previously), but I did engage in a text dialogue w/Ben the night of 12/30/21. It ended at 9:20pm.

He did not mention he had been up in northern Arizona that day, nor mention he had gone to visit friends from college (or otherwise) that day, did not state that he was driving home, did not state that he had just arrived home from a long drive … none of that.

Of course, this does not mean the trip up north didn’t happen, but I would have thought he might have mentioned it (had it occurred). **shrug**

 

[JJ Ray]

I am not sure whether this was directed at other sleuths besides me (since I have mentioned this previously), but I did engage in a text dialogue w/Ben the night of 12/30/21. It ended at 9:20pm.

He did not mention he had been up in northern Arizona that day, nor mention he had gone to visit friends from college (or otherwise) that day, did not state that he was driving home, did not state that he had just arrived home from a long drive … none of that.

Of course, this does not mean the trip up north didn’t happen, but I would have thought he might have mentioned it (had it occurred). **shrug**

IMO The "up north friends" have had to be interviewed and IMO that is the last physical sighting of people know to us (DS, the friends searching NYE and weekend.) As @Angleterre stated above, Detectives will have had ALL phone records, names of Dec. 30 visit north, any other numbers that came in after 8:00. Going through all that and video from all the sites will be the primary focus as well as interviews with potentially other persons not know to us.