Arianna Jones disappeared after meeting an online acquaintance, in what police believe was their first face-to-face encounter.
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Friends are remembering 21-year-old Arianna Jones as a caring woman who stayed close to the people she loved after a search for her ended with the discovery of her body in a remote area near Lake Pleasant.
Jones was found in a shallow grave July 11, four days after her family reported her missing, Glendale police said. Authorities arrested 24-year-old Domonic Rodolico, a man investigators said had met Jones through social media. He faces a first-degree murder charge and has denied responsibility for her death.
Police believe Jones and Rodolico met in person for the first time on July 5. Investigators said he picked her up from her Glendale apartment before the two went to a movie theater and later traveled toward the Lake Pleasant area. Detectives are still reviewing evidence to determine more about their online contact and the extent of their relationship.
Concern grew after Jones stopped communicating with relatives and friends. Her family had not heard from her since July 5, and regular video calls involving her young child stopped, according to police records described by local news organizations. Messages sent to her were no longer being marked as read.
When relatives checked her apartment, they found damage to the front door and discovered her dog in a kennel without food or water, police said. A broken cellphone was found inside, but Jones and her wallet were gone. Family members told investigators they feared she might have been taken against her will.
A close friend said Jones was known as “Ari” and that the two were rarely apart. “Anytime you saw me, you saw Ari,” the friend said. “Anytime you saw Ari, you asked about where I was at.”
The friend described Jones as kindhearted and someone who tried to support others even when she was facing her own difficulties. “She made everybody smile,” the friend said. “She did her best to be around everyone she loved.”
As Jones’ family and friends searched for answers, investigators reviewed surveillance video, cellphone records and vehicle-tracking information. Police said the records showed Jones’ and Rodolico’s phones moving together and led detectives to a secluded desert area near Lake Pleasant Parkway and Old Carefree Highway.
Jones’ cellphone last registered in the area early July 6, police said. Search teams later found a shallow grave containing human remains. Police spokesperson Jose Santiago said clothing and other physical evidence at the scene matched Jones and helped authorities identify her.
Rodolico told police that two people appeared in the desert and attacked him and Jones. Investigators said physical evidence did not support that account. Police also said records showed Rodolico had visited the remote location several times, including before he picked up Jones.
Authorities have not disclosed how Jones died. Police also have not announced whether investigators believe the alleged killing was planned before the two met or whether a specific motive has been identified. No other arrests have been reported.
Detectives continue to process physical and digital evidence as the criminal case moves forward. Rodolico is presumed innocent unless proved guilty, and police said additional information will be released when it no longer risks interfering with the investigation.
Author note: Last updated July 14, 2026.