16-year-old Jarrett Brooks was last seen in Joseph City, Arizona on July 4, 2023. He vanished early in the morning after leaving his family home on the Fourth of July.
Background of Jarrett Brooks
Jarrett Thomas Brooks was born on December 7, 2006 to parents Laura and Brian Brooks. He is the middle of seven children. At the time of his disappearance he was living with his family on Boyce Drive in Joseph City, Arizona.
Jarrett often worked general maintenance for many ranchers in the area and was a member of the Explorer Program for the Joseph City Fire District. He was home schooled by his mother.
Disappearance of Jarrett Brooks
On July 3, 2023, Jarrett’s parents discovered that he went off-roading with his father’s vehicle when he wasn’t supposed to and broke the CV axle. He was grounded as a result and his phone was taken from him before he went to bed between 9:00 – 10:00 pm.
After waking up at approximately 6:15 am on July 4, 2023, Jarrett asked his mother if he was grounded from driving or grounded altogether. She told him he was grounded altogether and that he wouldn’t be allowed to take part in any Fourth of July festivities nor get his cell phone back.
Jarrett was captured on his family’s CCTV taking a handgun from his father’s safe that morning between 6:00 – 7:00 am.
Around 6:30 am, Jarrett left his family home in the 4400 block of Boyce Drive, near Interstate 40, in Joseph City, Arizona. His family initially assumed that he had gone outside to walk the dog.
Jarrett Brooks never returned home that day and hasn’t been heard from since. His family filed a runaway juvenile report with the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office around 12:30 pm when Jarrett hadn’t returned home.
Investigation of case
A young man matching Jarrett’s description was reportedly seen at a neighbor’s ranch on Lacy Lane, walking through the pasture and carrying a handgun, around 7:00 am on July 4, 2023.
When the neighbor went to approach the young man about 10 minutes later on Haul Road he was gone.
Authorities conducted a search for Jarrett in the area and his scent was picked up by dogs before it was lost on the west end of town. Witnesses later reported seeing Jarrett in Winslow, Arizona, about 22 miles away.
Jarrett didn’t have a bank account and his wallet, which contained his driver’s license, was found left behind inside his vehicle. He was in possession of a pocket knife, as well as his father’s handgun when he disappeared.
Authorities believe Jarrett may have gone to Winslow, Arizona, or San Antonio, Austin, Temple or Stamford, Texas.
On January 3, 2024, multiple search warrants were served in Joseph County and Phoenix related to Jarrett’s disappearance.
Police say the warrants are focused on computer forensics evidence and cyber communications. The investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made at this time.
Whereabouts
Police found no evidence of foul play in Jarrett Brooks’ disappearance. A $50,000 reward is being offered by anonymous donors for information leading to Jarrett’s safe return to his family.
The circumstances of Jarrett Brooks’ disappearance remain unclear and his case is currently classified as missing. His case remains unsolved.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jarrett Brooks please contact the Navajo County Arizona Sheriff’s Department at (928) 524-4050. Agency Case Number: 2307-0135
