Isabella Comas, a 21-year-old Hispanic woman from Avondale, Arizona, vanished under deeply suspicious circumstances on January 11, 2026, sparking a statewide Turquoise Alert and an intensive investigation that has gripped the Phoenix metro area. The young woman was last seen around 3 p.m. leaving a friend’s residence near the intersection of West Van Buren Street and North 111th Avenue in Avondale. She was driving her red 2011 Hyundai Sonata bearing Arizona license plate 2EA6LW and was dressed in a baggy navy-blue shirt, blue pants with a white stripe, and possibly sandals. Described as 5 feet 3 inches tall, weighing about 110 pounds, with brown eyes and distinctive pink hair, Comas failed to pick up her friend for work the following day as planned, did not report to her own job, and became unreachable by phone.

The disappearance triggered immediate concern. On January 12, her friend reported her missing after repeated failed attempts to contact her. By January 13, authorities located Comas’ Hyundai Sonata and cell phone near the intersection of 67th Avenue and Indian School Road in Phoenix—roughly 10 miles from her last known location. Investigators described the phone as “randomly planted” near a recycling center, raising red flags about foul play. Surveillance footage released on January 14 captured Comas inside a QuikTrip convenience store, wearing a white t-shirt with a black logo, providing one of the last visual records of her before she vanished.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a Turquoise Alert on January 13, activating the state’s relatively new emergency notification system designed for missing endangered adults under 65 when standard resources are exhausted and circumstances appear suspicious or unexplained. Named after Emily Pike, a missing Indigenous teen whose remains were discovered in 2025, the Turquoise Alert fills gaps left by Amber Alerts by focusing on broader cases of potential danger. It remains active as of mid-January 2026, urging the public to provide any information that could aid in Comas’ safe return.

The investigation took a dramatic turn with the identification of Tommy Rodriguez, 39, Comas’ boyfriend, as a person of interest. Rodriguez was arrested on January 15 on charges including theft of means of transportation (related to the vehicle), criminal damage, and probation violation. Prosecutors in court described “strong evidence” connecting him to the stolen car and labeled him an “extreme flight risk.” During his court appearance, Rodriguez broke his silence, stating, “My girlfriend came up missing,” and insisting he was “not trying to hide amid the investigation.” He remains in custody.

Rodriguez’s criminal history has intensified scrutiny. Court records reveal he served an 18-year prison sentence for fatally shooting a man during a robbery at age 15. Additional convictions include assault with a weapon and, more recently, stalking and assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2020 after his release. Experts and observers have pointed to the stalking charge as a significant red flag, potentially indicating patterns of controlling or obsessive behavior relevant to Comas’ disappearance.

Avondale Police Department, in collaboration with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Arizona Department of Public Safety, continues to lead the probe. Detectives have emphasized that tips received so far have been “extremely helpful” in advancing the case. No motive has been publicly confirmed, and charges against Rodriguez remain sealed in initial documents, though they tie directly to elements of the disappearance investigation. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact them, stressing the urgency given the suspicious nature of the circumstances.

Comas’ case highlights the critical role of Arizona’s Turquoise Alert in mobilizing community awareness for vulnerable missing adults. Unlike Amber Alerts, which focus on child abductions, Turquoise Alerts address unexplained vanishings where danger is suspected, broadening the net for timely public assistance. The system’s activation here—after exhausting local resources—underscores investigators’ belief that Comas may be in peril.

The broader Phoenix community has rallied, with social media posts, shared flyers, and calls for vigilance. Friends and acquaintances describe Comas as outgoing and reliable, making her sudden silence all the more alarming. Her failure to follow through on routine plans—picking up her friend for work—served as the initial red flag, prompting swift reporting.

As the search enters its second week, questions mount: Why was her phone deliberately placed at a recycling center? What led to the vehicle abandonment miles away? And what role, if any, did her relationship with Rodriguez play? Prosecutors’ emphasis on flight risk suggests concerns that Rodriguez could attempt to evade further scrutiny.

The Turquoise Alert remains a beacon for hope and action. Authorities continue to review surveillance, track leads, and appeal for public help. Comas’ family and friends await answers, clinging to the possibility of her safe return amid growing fears. In a state where missing persons cases can fade quickly without attention, this alert ensures her story stays visible.

The investigation persists with no confirmed resolution as of January 19, 2026. Every tip, sighting, or detail could prove vital. For now, Isabella Comas remains missing, her pink hair and bright presence a haunting image in the minds of those searching for her. The desert sun beats down on Avondale and Phoenix, but the shadow of uncertainty lingers until she is found—alive and safe.