GLENDALE, AZ — Glendale police say a woman who was reported missing earlier this month has been found dead near Lake Pleasant, and a man is in custody in connection with her death.
Arianna Jones, 21, was last known to be at her apartment near 59th and Northern avenues. When her family went to check on her, they said they found damage to her front door, and she was not there. Her family had no contact with her since July 5.
According to police documents, Jones' family was concerned that she had been taken against her will.
WATCH: Glendale PD officials announce arrest and additional details
Family told officials that a broken cell phone was found in the apartment, her wallet was missing, and her dog was found in a kennel without food or water. Family said routine video calls to her young child, who was staying with Jones' mother at the time, had stopped, and their messages were no longer being marked as “read,” leading to further concern for her well-being.
A friend told police that she had planned to meet “an acquaintance” for a movie. Evidence shows the man, identified by police as Domonic Rodolico, had picked Jones up from her apartment and never returned.
Police say they used video evidence and vehicle alert systems, and also report that his cell phone's location moved alongside Jones’ phone locations. Investigators determined that her cell phone last pinged near Lake Pleasant early in the morning on July 6.
Police say “extensive” data was analyzed in this case and suggest that Rodolico “went to an extremely remote, secluded and undeveloped location near Lake Pleasant Parkway and W. Old Carefree Highway, with no apparent legitimate reason for being there,” before picking Jones up from her apartment. Data showed Rodolico went to the location three times that day.
On Saturday, July 11, officials located “decomposing human remains in this area along with additional evidence," including movie theater cups and clothes.
Police say the relationship between Jones and Rodolico is still under investigation, but it appears the pair shared a few short phone calls over a few weeks after meeting on social media.
Documents show Rodolico was later seen apparently cleaning out his car, and he appeared to have a bandaged wound on his arm/hand.
Rodolico reportedly told police that he and the victim were approached by unknown men and were “jumped,” but he could not provide additional details. Police say his story continued to change as he was questioned.
“It is apparent, Domonic premeditated this incident and murdered the victim…Domonic was unable to explain himself, nor was he willing to, and “did not appear to show any remorse…,” documents state.
The cause of Jones' death is under investigation, as well as a possible motive.
"My baby deserved to be a mom, deserved to have a family," said Jones' mom, Sophia Sardinas. "She wanted to be a stylist."
Through tears, Sardinas told ABC15 her daughter was a mother herself. At the time of her death, Jones' 2-year-old boy was staying with her. Sardinas said that's part of the reason why she quickly realized something wasn't right.
"She loved her son so much, and that's how I knew that something was wrong," said Sardinas. "Like she would never just leave and not make sure I was okay with keeping him a little bit longer."
Sardinas said she went to her daughter's apartment and had a horrible feeling. The family was then left waiting and looking for the 21-year-old.
Sardinas said Jones didn't tell people where she was going when she left for her date.
"She didn't deserve to be in a grave like that," said Sardinas.
Her family is now left grieving, pushing for justice, and wondering why.
"I don't know why this man came into my daughter's life," said Sardinas. "I don't know how she came across him and why it had to be her."
Rodolico was officially charged on Tuesday with first-degree murder and abandonment or concealment of a dead body.
Police say he is being held on a $2 million cash bond.
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