In the early spring of 2020, as the world was just beginning to grapple with the reality of COVID-19, two brothers from Cleveland, Ohio set out on what should have been an adventure of a lifetime. Matthew Reagan, 39, and his younger brother Philip, 29, embarked on a cross-country journey along the historic Route 66, with plans to visit iconic landmarks before Philip began a new chapter of his life in California. Instead, their journey ended in tragedy on a remote dirt road in Sawmill, Arizona, leaving behind a devastated family and a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.
The Brothers' Bond
Matthew and Philip Reagan weren't just brothers; they were best friends who shared a deep connection that extended beyond blood. Matthew, a devoted father of five young boys and husband to his high school sweetheart Faye, was known for his analytical mind, encyclopedic knowledge, and quiet demeanor. As an HVAC technician, he approached his work with the same careful attention to detail that characterized his approach to life. At home, however, Matthew transformed into a loving father who would blast "terrible Irish music" and dance with his sons.
Philip, affectionately called "Uncle Phils" by his nephews, brought joy and energy to the family. He showered his brother's children with gifts and attention, built igloos with them during snowy Cleveland winters, and treated them with the playful sarcasm of an older brother rather than an uncle. Known for his readiness to help others and his perpetual smile, Philip was preparing for a major life change when tragedy struck.
A New Beginning Cut Short
After securing a job at the Montecito Sequoia Lodge in California's Sequoia National Forest, Philip was both excited and nervous about his cross-country move. Having never lived outside of Ohio, the prospect of relocating to the West Coast was daunting. During his last dinner with Matthew and Faye on March 17, 2020, he repeatedly expressed his anxiety, saying, "I'm jobless and I'm homeless, so, I have to go."
Matthew, recognizing his brother's nervousness and wanting to spend quality time together before Philip's big move, offered to accompany him on the drive to California. The brothers planned to follow Route 66, with a specific interest in visiting Spider Rock in Canyon De Chelly, located in the Navajo Nation in Arizona. Little did they know that the Navajo Nation had closed all its parks and issued a stay-at-home order due to COVID-19 concerns—information that may not have reached them before their departure.
The Final Journey
On March 20, 2020, the brothers set off in Philip's black Ford Escape, waving goodbye to Faye and the children. Their first day was ambitious—they drove for 16 straight hours, reaching Shamrock, Texas, much further than their planned stop in Oklahoma. Matthew sent Faye a photo of them standing in front of the Conoco gas station made famous by the Disney film "Cars," knowing their sons would be excited to see it.
The next day, as they crossed from Texas into New Mexico, communication became spotty. Their last known stop was at The Blue Hole in Santa Rosa, a popular swimming destination. Pushing to reach Spider Rock before sunset, Matthew sent his final communication to Faye at 4:26 PM EST—a simple photo of a train passing through the southwestern landscape.
When their six-year-old son Patrick tried to Skype his father that evening and received no answer, Faye's concern grew. Matthew had always been diligent about staying in touch with his family, especially for goodnight calls with the children. By 8 PM, with still no word, Faye began calling hotels, campgrounds, and hospitals throughout northern Arizona, finding no trace of the brothers.
A Fateful Detour
What happened next can only be pieced together from evidence found at the scene. Around 3 PM that Saturday, Matthew and Philip were last seen alive in Sawmill, Arizona, a small town with just over 700 residents. While traveling on Navajo Route 7, their vehicle became stuck in mud and snow in a ditch approximately two miles from the Sawmill Express Convenience store.
The brothers began walking toward the store to seek help. They had traveled less than half a mile when they encountered their killer. Both men were shot multiple times at close range and left on the roadway. A passerby collecting firewood discovered their bodies and had to drive further into town to get cell service to contact authorities.
When police arrived, they identified the victims through the vehicle's license plate. The investigation revealed that the car had slid on ice into the ditch, with handprints on the vehicle matching only Matthew and Philip, likely from their attempts to push the car free. The vehicle remained locked and untampered with, ruling out robbery as the motive as nothing was taken from the car or the brothers' bodies.
A Family Forever Changed
On Sunday morning, while Faye was preparing to contact Arizona authorities about her missing husband and brother-in-law, two police officers appeared at her door. They directed her to call the Apache County Sheriff's office, where she learned the devastating news that both Matthew and Philip had been murdered. Tragically, her oldest son was by her side when she received this unimaginable information.
"The police asked me who they could get for me," Faye recalled later. "I just couldn't even think straight. The person you could get for me is the person you just told me isn't available."
For Faye, the loss of her partner of 22 years created a void that can never be filled. She sees glimpses of Matthew in their sons' dimpled cheeks, bright red hair, and spirited personalities. Her greatest fear is that their youngest son, who was only two at the time, won't remember his father as he grows older. To prevent this, she speaks to her children daily about their father, ensuring they remember his deep love for his family.
"At home, he's everywhere," she said poignantly. "But then very sadly, he's not. And that's very hard."
The Search for Justice
The investigation into the murders remains active and ongoing. Surveillance video from the Sawmill convenience store showed the brothers passing through around 3 PM that day, placing their time of death between 3 and 6 PM. The footage revealed no altercations at the store and no signs that anyone had been following them.
Investigators interviewed everyone who visited the store around that time, including one individual with a criminal record who was initially considered as a potential suspect but later cleared. The FBI has since taken over the case, as the Navajo Nation is a sovereign entity, and the victims were not Native Americans.
Twenty-one months after the tragedy, Faye made a pilgrimage to the remote dirt road where her husband and brother-in-law spent their final moments. She placed two wooden crosses at the roadside, using this painful journey as an opportunity to teach her sons about healing through forgiveness rather than allowing their hearts to harden with anger.
Remembering Lives, Not Just Deaths
Despite the horrific circumstances of their deaths, Faye is determined that Matthew and Philip be remembered for the lives they lived rather than how they died.
"They both did so many things with their lives that impacted so many people around them in a positive way," she explained. "We don't want the primary thing that they're ever thought of... is this one single event. There's so much more than how they were killed. They were people that had tons of family that loved them, they had friends. They had coworkers. They have a lot of people that missed them, but then they are also not able to continue with those relationships."
A Call for Information
The FBI has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of Matthew and Philip Reagan's murders. Anyone with information is urged to contact the FBI Phoenix office, the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations in Window Rock, Arizona, or the Apache County Sheriff's Office.
"We are confident someone knows who is responsible for the murders of Matthew and Philip Reagan," the FBI stated to the Arizona Republic. "The FBI and our law enforcement partners have logged many hours of investigative work on this case. The FBI does not forget. No matter how much time has passed, we will continue to aggressively pursue this investigation. We are dedicated to protecting all of our communities and to pursuing justice for Matthew and Philip Reagan, their family, and friends."
As the investigation continues, those who knew and loved Matthew and Philip Reagan wait for answers and justice. Their story reminds us of the fragility of life and the profound impact random violence has on families and communities. It also underscores the importance of remembering victims not just for their tragic endings but for the full lives they lived and the love they shared.
In the meantime, somewhere in Cleveland, five boys are growing up learning about their father and uncle through stories, photographs, and the lasting impressions they made on everyone around them. And perhaps someday, they will also learn of justice finally served.
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