Mystery as Marine disappears without a trace: Soldier's account is emptied and phone disconnected one week after drunken night out in San Diego

A Marine from Gastonia, North Carolina, has been reported missing after a night out in downtown San Diego.

Corporal Charles Alex Benfield was stationed at the Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California.

His sister, Sarah Lazo, said their family is devastated, and that this behavior is out of character for Benfield.

'It's just unbelievable and bizarre to us that this happened,' Lazo told Queen City News.

Lazo said Benfield loved his job, so much so that he reenlisted for four more years this past fall.

Corporal Charles Alex Benfield (pictured) from Gastonia, North Carolina, has been reported missing after a night out in downtown San Diego

Corporal Charles Alex Benfield was stationed at the Marine Corp Base Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California .

Benfield was detained for in San Diego's Gaslamp District public intoxication just over a week ago while his ship was docked there

'For us to think he just abandoned his duty, his service to his country, it's ridiculous to us,' Lazo said. 'He loves his job.' 

The family first found out about Benfield's disappearance through Benfield's first sergeant that he was detained for in San Diego's Gaslamp District public intoxication just over a week ago while his ship was docked there.

He was later transferred from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center on Sunday, April 14th and released that same day.

'The morning that he was self-released around 11:30 am, he was very paranoid, scared, explaining how he had lost his phone the night prior, that he wanted to go look for it,' Lazo said.

'He didn't want to return to ship without his phone for the fear of losing his rank and punishment.'

He was later transferred from the McAlister Institute Recovery and Bridge Center on Sunday, April 14th and released that same day

Because Benfield is active on active duty and under investigation by NCIS, San Diego police are cannot declare him missing. His family continues to publish their own missing posters on social media.

'I can understand him being scared to show up after missing a meet, but to completely fall off the face of the earth basically is unlike him at all,' Lazo told Nexstar's KSWB/KUSI.

Benfield failed to report for duty the same Sunday he was released, according to a Marine communications director. The Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service are currently looking for him.

A communications director from the marines released the following statement regarding Benfield's disappearance:

Benfield's sister Sarah Lazo (pictured) said her brother was particularly close with his mother and that him disappearing without a trace was out of character for him

'Cpl. Charles Benfield, a field artillery cannoneer assigned to Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, did not report for duty the morning of April 15 following weekend liberty in the San Diego area. 

'The 15th MEU is aware that Cpl. Benfield was detained by San Diego police April 14 and released later that day. 

'Once 15th MEU was made aware of his release, marines from cpl. Benfield's unit searched the downtown San Diego area to try locate him.

'The safety and accountability of our Marines and sailors is a top priority. The 15th MEU has requested the assistance of the naval criminal investigative service and will continue to attempt to locate Cpl. Benfield to ensure his wellbeing.'

The corporal graduated from Hunter Huss High School in Gastonia in 2018 and enlisted afterwards.

Lazo said her brother was particularly close with his mother, and would not disappear so suddenly. 

Benfield (pictured) failed to report for duty the same Sunday he was released, according to a Marine communications director

The weekend Benfield went out, his financial activity indicated that he had drained his bank account, resulting in a negative balance

'My mom is Alex's favorite person, so for him to just drop off the face of the earth, and have no contact with her, it's making us question if something else is going on,' Lazo said. 

The weekend Benfield went out, his financial activity indicated that he had drained his bank account, resulting in a negative balance. 

'Strange three withdrawals,' Lazo said. 'Two of them were in the amount of $400, and another was in the amount of $180.'

The NCIS is asking anyone with information to submit tips online.