The tragic case of Benjamin Anderson, whose life came to an abrupt end on New Year's Eve 2021, continues to mystify authorities and strain the hearts of his loved ones. Nearly three years on, Maricopa County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the discovery of a new piece of evidence – Anderson's cell phone – that may hold critical clues to the circumstances leading to his death. This development, as reported by ABC15, was found in a canal three months post his demise and could potentially reveal his final communications.
"His death has left a very big void in my life and in a lot of other people's lives as well," Anderson's long-time friend Susan Dzbanko said in a statement obtained by ABC15. Despite the persistence of an unanswered mystery, Dzbanko remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice, along with other friends and family, who have collectively raised a $25,000 reward in hopes of garnering information leading to an arrest.
The lack of closure has been particularly tormenting for Anderson's community. A sense of desperate frustration was evident as friends convened to remember him on the second anniversary of his untimely passing. In a statement obtained by 12News, Amanda Smith, another friend of Anderson, expressed that "the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office owes not only his family, us, this whole community answers as to why these people have not been arrested two years later."
Amidst connections drawn by the community between Anderson's case and other crimes targeting individuals based on their sexuality, the MCSO has clarified that there is no apparent link to the recent North Phoenix homicides. Nonetheless, there's an affirmed commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice. "We have also been aware that there are rumors that this case is related, or possibly related to other agency criminal cases, but detectives had worked with those agencies and there is no obvious relation," MCSO's statement read, as reported by 12News.
Anyone with information pertinent to Benjamin Anderson's case is encouraged to contact MCSO at 602-876-8477 or call Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS.
