Arianna Jones, a 21-year-old Arizona woman, was found dead in a shallow desert grave with movie theater souvenir cups after allegedly being taken on a date by Domonic Rodolico, 24, whom she met on social media, according to police.
Background
Jones' family reported her missing on July 7 after failing to get in touch with her. Detectives reviewed her phone data and discovered conversations with Rodolico, which prompted investigators to conduct mobile and stationary surveillance on him, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime.
Surveillance footage showed Rodolico and Jones at a local Harkins theater, both carrying "white Harkins-style plastic souvenir cups" they had purchased at the concession stand before watching a movie together. Cellphone data reviewed by investigators shows that after the film, Rodolico and Jones traveled north into a remote desert area near Lake Pleasant in Maricopa County.
Jones' phone then showed as "no longer being actively used by her." According to the affidavit, her device disconnected from the network approximately 45 to 50 minutes before Rodolico left the area. The family reported her missing two days later.
The Investigation
Detectives observed Rodolico on several occasions cleaning his vehicle following Jones' disappearance. Police watched him drive his Nissan Sentra to a car wash, vacuuming the passenger-side rear area and wiping it down with towels. Upon returning home, he opened the trunk and was seen manipulating and wiping the interior.
Police went to the area where Jones' phone disconnected and found her "buried in a shallow grave." At the scene, investigators located several key pieces of evidence: the two Harkins souvenir cups from their movie date, concrete mix bags, Fry's plastic water bottles, a bra, latex gloves, a hair accessory consistent with one Jones wore on video the night they went to the movies, and pieces of a condom wrapper.
"Evidence at the scene showed premeditation by Domonic with the amount of equipment to include concrete bags/mix and forethought to the burial of her body," the affidavit states. "The amount of equipment located appeared as though this incident was well planned."
Police interviewed Rodolico, who initially provided what investigators described as a "fabricated story" about two unknown men attacking them in his vehicle after leaving the movie theater and stabbing Jones to death.
The Charges
Rodolico is charged with first-degree murder. He was being held on a $2 million bond.
During questioning, Rodolico later admitted to lying and stated he was instructed by an unknown male to bring Jones to the desert location but claimed he did not know he would kill her, according to the affidavit. When asked if he killed her, police say Rodolico "hesitated while looking down" before denying responsibility.
Investigators noted that Rodolico allegedly showed no remorse and believed this was simply a missing person case where he happened to be the last person to see Jones alive.
Police say Rodolico visited the desert dumping location twice on July 5, the day suspected of being when he killed Jones, apparently prepping the scene before picking her up for their date.
Key Takeaways
- Arianna Jones, 21, was reported missing by her family on July 7 after they couldn't contact her
- Surveillance footage showed Rodolico and Jones at Harkins theater with souvenir cups from their date
- Jones' phone disconnected from the network while traveling north into remote Maricopa County desert near Lake Pleasant
- Police found Jones buried in a shallow grave along with concrete mix, latex gloves, and movie theater cups
- Detectives observed Rodolico extensively cleaning his Nissan Sentra after her disappearance
- Rodolico allegedly admitted to visiting the same desert location prior to picking up Jones for their date
What's Next
Rodolico remains in custody on $2 million bond. Police have not confirmed how Jones was killed. The case is being investigated by Maricopa County authorities.