A 24-year-old man faces murder charges after human remains were discovered in a remote desert area near Lake Pleasant, Arizona, following the disappearance of a young mother who went missing after a first-time meeting with someone she met online.
Dominic Scot-Glen Rodolico was arrested Saturday and is accused of murdering 21-year-old Arianna Bailey Jones. Jones, the mother of a 2-year-old son, was reported missing by her family earlier this month.
The investigation began on July 7 when a relative contacted police after not hearing from Jones since July 5. Upon checking her apartment, officers found her dog locked in a kennel without food or water, appearing to have been left alone for multiple days.
A friend of Jones informed investigators that she had planned to meet an acquaintance for a movie on July 5. Through a review of cell phone data and surveillance footage, investigators identified Rodolico as the individual Jones was with that day.
According to Glendale police, the two had met on social media and were meeting in person for the first time on the day she disappeared. It remains unclear if they actually planned to see a movie.
On Saturday, cadaver dogs located human remains in a shallow grave in the desert. While police believe the remains belong to Jones, official identification has not been confirmed, and the cause of death remains unknown.
Rodolico was taken into custody on Saturday. Court documents note that he was arrested while cleaning the back of his car and possessed a hand injury.
During questioning, Rodolico allegedly told detectives that he and Jones were “jumped” by two unknown men who stabbed her, allowing him to escape. Detectives, however, state they believe Rodolico planned to kill Jones. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond.
Following the disappearance, Jones’s mother, Sophia Sardinas, spent a week distributing flyers and searching for her daughter. Sardinas stated she wants the public to know her daughter for who she was, rather than just the circumstances of her death.
A GoFundMe has been set up by Jones’ family.
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