Corporal Charles Alex Benfield's disappearance has deeply unsettled his family and colleagues.

After being released from a recovery center, a stationed Marine at Camp Pendleton goes missing in San Diego.

According to Daily Mail, Corporal Charles Alex Benfield, a Marine from Gastonia, North Carolina, was last seen in downtown San Diego. His last known whereabouts followed his release from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center on April 14th, where he had been transferred due to public intoxication. Alarmingly, he did not report back to duty the next day.

Family and friends baffled by the sudden disappearance

Benfield, currently stationed at Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, was in San Diego while his ship was docked.

According to friends, the young Marine showed signs of intense stress the day before he disappeared. Sarah Lazo, a close associate of Benfield, shared that he was extremely anxious about losing his cell phone, fearing the repercussions of not having it upon his return to duty.

His duties at Camp Pendleton as a field artillery cannoneer are no secret to his family, who unequivocally state that abandoning his post would be uncharacteristic of him. "For us to think he just abandoned his duty, his service to his country, it's ridiculous to us," Lazo expressed her disbelief over the situation.

Fears over mental state and suspicious financial activities

Data from the subsequent weekend after Benfield's disappearance reveals troubling financial activity. He emptied his bank account, making three suspicious withdrawals that totaled $980. Such an action hints at someone preparing for something unplanned or, worse, someone under duress.

The peculiar aspect of his missing case and his financial steps before disappearing hints at an atypical and concerning scenario. “Strange three withdrawals," noted Lazo, adding details about the amounts that heightened the mystery of his intentions or circumstances during those final transactions.

Military and law enforcement collaboration in the search

The absence of his return to duty has spouted a meticulous search. The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, of which Benfield is a member, has been tirelessly scouting for any signs of him in collaboration with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service.

“Cpl. Charles Benfield did not report for duty the morning of April 15 following weekend liberty in the San Diego area," conveyed a Marines’ communications director, illustrating their acute concern for Benfield’s wellbeing.

Despite being on active duty and the ongoing investigation by NCIS, San Diego police have yet to officially declare him missing. This complicates the search efforts and adds an acute sense of urgency among those searching for him.

Community and family hold onto hope

Lazo recollects the last interactions with Benfield, describing his anxious demeanor over his lost phone and the potential repercussions. He vocalized his fears, clearly overwhelmed: "He didn't want to return to ship without his phone for fear of losing his rank and punishment," she recalled his worried state.

Sarah Lazo’s concern resonates with a chilling depth: "I can understand him being scared to show up after missing a meet, but to completely fall off the face of the earth is unlike him at all." This sentiment underlies the gravity of Benfield’s sudden absence and the palpable worry among his loved ones.

Family struggles with the unknown

Lazo expressed the family's growing distress as each day passed without any contact from Benfield, especially since he is someone who dearly loves his family. Lazo described the situation as not only unusual but also terrifying.

In conclusion, Corporal Charles Alex Benfield’s disappearance remains shrouded in distressing mystery. His uncharacteristic disappearance, following his apparent distress, suspicious financial activities, and not reporting back to duty, poses concerning questions about his current situation and safety. The community, his unit, and his family ardently hope for his safe return, clinging to every effort to trace his whereabouts.