An unsettling case has emerged in Arizona where a man stands accused of murdering a woman following their first date, subsequently hiding her body in a shallow grave.
Authorities from the Glendale Police Department have charged 24-year-old Domonic Rodolico with first-degree premeditated murder as well as the illegal concealment of a deceased body in connection to the tragic death of Arianna Bailey Jones. Despite these charges, Rodolico has maintained his innocence regarding the allegations.
According to Jose Santiago, spokesperson for the Glendale Police, the investigation suggests that the pair initially interacted through social media before arranging a date. Santiago elaborated during a July 13 press conference, indicating that they were spotted attending a movie together. Eventually, they ended up in a secluded area, which authorities suspect is the location where the crime unfolded.
The sequence of events, as outlined in a probable cause affidavit, began on July 5 when Rodolico picked up Jones from her residence. Around 9 p.m., they visited Harkins Theatres to watch a film. Surveillance footage later captured the duo departing the theater, with Rodolico notably carrying a concession cup, according to the affidavit.
Concern arose two days later when Jones’ family couldn’t contact her. Her mother, worried for her daughter’s safety, visited Jones’ apartment with suspicions that her daughter might have been taken against her will, as detailed in the affidavit.
The 21-year-old was reported missing with police sharing photos and urging the public to step forward with any information.
Police quickly identified Rodolico through surveillance video, cell phone records and automated license plate reader data.
As investigators soon learned, before picking up Jones for their date, Rodolico allegedly made a stop at an “extremely remote, secluded and undeveloped” location, near N. Lake Pleasant Parkway and W. Old Carefree Highway, where he lingered, for 25 minutes, according to the affidavit.
Then, after the movie, the pair allegedly returned to the same remote area on two separate occasions, according to the affidavit. During the last visit, Jones’ cell phone disconnected from the network and 10 minutes later, Rodolico left the area.
Nearly a week later, on July 11, cadaver dogs led police to a foul-smelling shallow grave containing human remains and scraps of denim, according to the affidavit. Nearby were two Harkins souvenir cups, a bra, pieces of a condom wrapper and a hair accessory similar to one Jones wore on surveillance video.
“We are still waiting on some testing results from the medical examiners,” Santiago said during the press conference. “But there was enough physical evidence, of not only clothing, but other things matching Ms. Jones to identify her.”
Later that day, Rodolico was arrested and booked into the Glendale City Jail, where he is being held on a $2 million bond.
When questioned by police, Rodolico shared a harrowing version of events.
He said he and another woman were kissing in the backseat of his car in a parking lot, when two masked and tattooed men approached, armed with a knife and a gun, according to the affidavit. Rodolico allegedly told police that the individuals attacked them both and that one injured his hand with a knife, while the other stabbed the woman.
Rodolico told police in the affidavit that he was eventually able to drive away, while the two men continued stabbing the woman.
However, Rodolico repeatedly changed his story, noted Santiago, and did not report the alleged attack to law enforcement, instead telling only his own family.
“We’re not quite sure where the motive lies in all of this,” Santiago said in the press conference, “if this was a crime of passion or if this was a situation that just escalated out of control.”
An attorney for Rodolico did not immediately return a request for comment from Oxygen. He will next appear in court for a status hearing on July 17, according to court records.