Former Indiana Colts defensive lineman Daniel Muir is now a person of interest in the disappearance of his 14-year-old son.
Indiana State Police say Bryson Muir was last seen 11 days ago and could be a victim of abuse by his parents. Daniel and Bryson’s mother, Kristen Muir, are now in the “early stage of cooperation,” as he remains missing and endangered, police say.
Bryson was last seen on June 16 outside his grandmother’s home near Cleveland, Ohio, with his mother in a white 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. His grandmother told police Bryson had a black eye and may have been being abused by his parents.
Indiana State Police
Minutes after leaving the grandmother’s home, Kristen was pulled over by police, but Bryson was not in the car.
“It was minutes, it wasn’t a very long period of time whatsoever,” ISP Capt. Ron Galaviz said, according to Fox 59. “But in that period of time, Bryson wasn’t able to be found. We don’t know where he went.”
Pat Sullivan/Associated Press
The alleged domestic abuse is believed to have taken place at the Muir family home in Logansport, Indiana. ISP troopers say they made several attempts to reach the parents at their home starting June 18 but weren’t able to get ahold of them until June 28. No arrests have been made in this case as of Thursday afternoon.
Newsweek has contacted ISP for further comment.
State police say the Muir’s home and white Suburban are owned by the nonprofit religious group, Servant Leader’s Foundation. Fox 59 reports there is no sign outside the home with any mention of the Servant Leader’s Foundation, but there is one nearby that reads, “Welcome To Straitway Indiana Goshen.”
Indiana State Police
What is Straitway Truth Ministries?
Straitway Truth Ministries is a Tennessee-based religious group that some online have labeled a cult.
According to Straitway’s website, the group is a “nation of Hebrew Israelites who are commandment keepers; obedient to Yah (God) and our savior, Jesus the Christ.”
Daniel Muir is a pastor at Staitway and can be seen preaching on topics including intimacy and believing in faith on Straitway’s YouTube channel.
Former Packers star Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila joined Straitway after denouncing Christianity. In December 2019, he was almost arrested after he allegedly sent his two armed friends to a school Christmas program. The men were arrested for trespassing.
Gbaja-Biamila sent Muir videos of Straitway’s leader, Pastor Charles Dowell, and Muir found himself agreeing with the pastor.
Muir also introduced his former Colts teammate Robert Mathis to Straitway following the 2018 season. Sports Illustrated reports Muir initially contacted Mathis about a coaching opportunity, but they hardly talked about that after Mathis took interest in Muir’s T-shirt which read “HEBREW.”
“I want one of those shirts,” Mathis allegedly told Muir.
Newsweek has also contacted Straitway for comment.
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Who is Daniel Muir?
Muir spent seven seasons in the NFL with four different teams, signing with the Green Bay Packers as a Defensive Tackle in 2007.
He spent 2008 to 2011 with the Colts, 2012 with the New York Jets, and ended his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2013.
His most notable year came in 2009 when he made 52 tackles, helping the team get to Super Bowl XLIV.
Associated Press
He attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he finished his career ranked third in sacks at the school.
On his LinkedIn profile, Muir lists him as founder and COO of The Gridiron Gang since 2017. The organization was founded by Robert Mathis, the Indianapolis Colts franchise leader with 123 sacks, and Muir who provides athletic development and sports performance training for football players of all levels from professional athletes to kids.
“Mathis and Muir have built a system that provides players with a competitive advantage by receiving instruction from the some of the best players in world in their position and sports performance training aimed at improving their speed, power, agility, strength, and stability,” according to the LinkedIn profile.
Anyone with information on Bryson’s whereabouts or his parents should contact the Indiana State Police Peru post at (800) 382-0689 or call 911.
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