A car belonging to an Arizona woman who disappeared nearly two weeks ago was found with blood stains inside and damage throughout the vehicle, according to media reports citing new court documents.
Isabella Comas, 21, was last seen leaving a friend’s home in Avondale on January 11, when she was driving her red Hyundai Sonata, according to the Avondale Police Department.
Since her disappearance, police have identified Tommy Rodriguez, described as Comas’ “romantic partner,” as a person of interest in the case.
Rodriguez, 39, of Phoenix, was arrested on charges of theft of means of transportation and criminal damage in connection with Comas’ missing person investigation, Avondale Police Department spokesperson Jaret Redfearn previously confirmed to Us Weekly on Friday, January 16.
A public defender representing Rodriguez did not immediately return a request for comment from Us on Thursday, January 22.
Two days after Comas went missing, her car was found in Phoenix the evening of January 13, according to police, Us previously reported.
The day before, her phone was found at a recycling center in the city, police said.
According to court documents viewed by KNXV-TV, when officers located Comas’ car, they noticed that pieces of her car, specifically the passenger seat and lining of her trunk, were missing.
Officers also found the car to be damaged, with blood located inside the vehicle, as well as trash bags, gas canisters and a tarp, KNXV-TV reported, citing court documents.
Rodriguez is charged in connection with allegations that he stole and caused damage to her car, according to the TV station, which reports that he has a violent criminal history.
Rodriguez has served a prison sentence on a second-degree murder offense and was also separately previously convicted of stalking a woman he once dated, according to court records viewed by KNXV-TV.
During Rodriguez’s initial court appearance on Thursday, January 15, prosecutor Dawn Sauer, with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, said that Rodriguez “immediately” left Arizona after he was accused of stealing Comas’ car, The Arizona Republic reported.
He left with a one-way ticket, according to Sauer, who added that Rodriguez regularly travels with one-way tickets related to his work, according to the newspaper.
Sauer also accused Rodriguez of taking “great lengths” to get rid of evidence that would connect him to Comas’ car, the newspaper reported.
Rodriguez was arrested after he came back to Phoenix from California, Fox 10 Phoenix reported. He acknowledged he had been arguing with Comas on January 11, the day she went missing, according to police.
Update on Friday, January 16: The Avondale Police Department has identified a person of interest in the disappearance of Isabella Comas. The individual, Tommy Rodriguez, of Phoenix, is Comas’ “romantic partner,” the department confirmed to Us Weekly via email. Rodriguez, 39, was arrested on charges of theft of means of transportation and criminal damage, according […]
The day after she was last seen, Comas never made it to work, according to a Turquoise Alert issued by the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“Isabella was reported missing after her friend was not picked up for work by Isabella as per usual,” the public safety department said on January 13.
In Arizona, Turquoise Alerts are issued for individuals considered missing and endangered and are under 65 years old.
Police describe Comas as Hispanic, 5-foot-3, weighing about 110 pounds. She also has brown eyes and pink hair.
When she disappeared, she was wearing a baggy white shirt with a black logo and black pants.
Rodriguez is due in court for a preliminary hearing on Friday, January 23, court records show.
Avondale police urge anyone with information related to Comas’ disappearance to call the department at 623-333-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS, according to police.
