Investigators revealed a disturbing detail in the disappearance of 21-year-old Isabella Comas: her cell phone was deliberately “randomly planted” near a recycling center in Phoenix, approximately 10 miles from her last known location. The statement came during the escalating investigation into her vanishing on January 11, 2026, in Avondale, Arizona. Comas was last seen leaving a friend’s residence near West Van Buren Street and North 111th Avenue around 3 p.m., driving her red 2011 Hyundai Sonata (Arizona plate 2EA6LW). She wore a baggy navy-blue shirt, blue pants with a white stripe, and possibly sandals. Standing 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds, with brown eyes and distinctive pink hair, Comas had plans to pick up her friend for work the next day but never arrived. She also failed to report to her own job and became unreachable.
The rapid sequence of events unfolded with alarming speed. On January 12, her friend reported her missing after repeated failed contact attempts. By January 13, authorities recovered Comas’ Hyundai Sonata and cell phone near 67th Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix. The phone’s placement—described explicitly as “randomly planted” by investigators—immediately raised suspicions of intentional disposal. Rather than being lost, stolen, or destroyed, the device appeared positioned to mislead search efforts or create distance from any potential crime scene. Combined with the vehicle’s abandonment miles away, these discoveries strongly suggested foul play and premeditated actions to obscure her trail.
Surveillance footage released on January 14 showed Comas inside a QuikTrip convenience store, dressed in a white t-shirt with a black logo. The images captured her appearing calm and unaware of danger, making the abrupt silence that followed even more unsettling. No confirmed sightings have emerged since that moment.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a Turquoise Alert on January 13, activating the state’s emergency system for missing endangered adults under 65 when circumstances indicate risk and standard protocols prove insufficient. Named after Emily Pike—a missing Indigenous teenager whose remains were found in 2025—the Turquoise Alert broadens outreach beyond child-focused Amber Alerts, targeting unexplained disappearances with signs of peril. The alert remains active as of January 19, 2026, urgently requesting public assistance.
The case took a dramatic turn with the arrest of Tommy Rodriguez, 39, Comas’ boyfriend, identified as a person of interest. Rodriguez was taken into custody on January 15 on charges including theft of means of transportation (tied to the vehicle), criminal damage, and probation violation. In court, prosecutors presented “strong evidence” linking him to the stolen car and labeled him an “extreme flight risk.” During his initial appearance, Rodriguez broke his silence, stating, “My girlfriend came up missing,” before adding the shocking admission: “I’m not trying to hide amid the investigation.” The statement—delivered under oath—sent a ripple through the courtroom. While he insisted he was cooperating, the phrasing left many observers questioning whether it revealed panic, deflection, or an unintended glimpse of guilt.
Rodriguez’s criminal history has intensified scrutiny. Court records show he was convicted at age 15 of fatally shooting a man during a robbery, serving an 18-year prison sentence. Subsequent convictions include assault with a weapon and, in 2020, stalking and assaulting an ex-girlfriend. The 2020 stalking charge has drawn particular attention, as it potentially signals a pattern of obsessive or controlling behavior relevant to Comas’ disappearance.
Avondale Police Department leads the multi-agency probe in coordination with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Arizona Department of Public Safety. Detectives have described public tips as “extremely helpful” in advancing the case. No motive has been publicly confirmed, and initial court documents keep specific charges sealed, though they clearly relate to the disappearance investigation. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact them immediately, stressing the time-sensitive nature given the suspicious circumstances.
The “randomly planted” phone stands out as particularly chilling. The intentional placement—rather than accidental loss—implies someone wanted to create separation between Comas’ last known location and any potential crime scene. Paired with the vehicle’s abandonment 10 miles away, these actions suggest premeditation or an attempt to cover tracks rather than a spontaneous event.
Rodriguez’s courtroom statement—“I’m not trying to hide amid the investigation”—has fueled intense speculation. While he appeared to express concern for Comas, the phrasing struck many as odd under the circumstances. Prosecutors highlighted his flight risk, noting his history and the gravity of the situation. Whether the admission was a genuine plea for understanding or an involuntary slip remains unclear, but it has kept the focus squarely on him.
The broader significance of the Turquoise Alert lies in its ability to mobilize rapid community awareness for vulnerable missing adults. Unlike Amber Alerts, which require evidence of child abduction, Turquoise Alerts activate when endangerment appears likely but details remain unclear—allowing broader public engagement without stricter criteria. Its use here reflects investigators’ assessment that Comas may be in immediate danger.
The Phoenix-area community has responded with widespread concern. Social media overflows with shared flyers, photos of Comas’ bright pink hair and warm smile, and urgent pleas for information. Friends describe her as outgoing, dependable, and full of life, making her sudden silence deeply out of character. The failure to follow through on routine plans—picking up her friend for work—served as the initial trigger for reporting her missing.
As the investigation enters its second week, pressure mounts on every front. Detectives continue analyzing surveillance, tracking leads, and examining Rodriguez’s movements, communications, and associations. The sealed nature of charges limits public knowledge, yet the flight-risk designation and documented history of violence keep concern elevated. Whether Comas left voluntarily, met with harm, or was taken against her will remains unknown, but the combination of her abrupt disappearance, strategically abandoned property, Rodriguez’s background, and his courtroom statement fuels fears of the worst possible outcome.
The Turquoise Alert continues to serve as both a call for help and a beacon of hope. Every shared post, every remembered detail, every potential sighting could prove decisive. Isabella Comas remains missing, her absence a painful void felt by family, friends, and an entire community desperate for answers. In the relentless desert heat of Avondale and Phoenix, the search persists—driven by urgency, sustained by public awareness, and anchored in the desperate hope that she will be found alive and safe.
