A chilling silence has fallen over Avondale, Arizona, as authorities desperately search for 21-year-old Isabella Comas. Her disappearance has triggered a powerful but little-known public safety tool: the Turquoise Alert. If you’ve seen this term flash across your phone or on the news and wondered what it means, you’re not alone. This isn’t your typical missing persons bulletin—it’s a critical, state-specific emergency notification with a profound backstory.
Table of Contents
- What is a Turquoise Alert?
- Why Was a Turquoise Alert Issued for Isabella Comas?
- Arizona’s New Alert System: The Backstory
- How the Turquoise Alert System Works
- What to Do If You Have Information
- Conclusion
- Sources
What is a Turquoise Alert?
The Turquoise Alert is a specialized public notification system launched by Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs in July 2025 . Its primary purpose is to help locate missing individuals who are believed to be in danger due to unexplained or suspicious circumstances .
While the system was created with the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) in mind—a national tragedy that has long been underreported—the criteria are intentionally broad. As officials have clarified, “They don’t have to be indigenous persons” to qualify for a Turquoise Alert . This makes it a versatile tool for any endangered missing adult or child whose case meets the legal threshold.
Think of it as Arizona’s answer to the well-known AMBER Alert, but without the specific age and abduction requirements. It’s a crucial addition to the state’s public safety arsenal, which already includes Silver Alerts for missing seniors and Blue Alerts for threats against law enforcement .
Why Was a Turquoise Alert Issued for Isabella Comas?
On January 11, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Isabella Comas was last seen leaving a friend’s residence in Avondale . Her disappearance raised immediate red flags when she failed to pick up another friend for work the following day, a routine she had never broken before .
The situation took a more sinister turn when investigators discovered her personal belongings, including her phone, abandoned in her vehicle—a red 2011 Hyundai Sonata with Arizona license plate 2EA6LW . Finding a missing person’s phone is often a critical indicator that their disappearance was not voluntary, suggesting they may be in serious danger.
Given these “unexplained or suspicious circumstances” and the clear belief that Isabella is endangered, the Avondale Police Department and the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) met the stringent legal criteria to activate the state’s highest-level public notification: the Turquoise Alert . This marks only the second time the alert has been used since its inception, highlighting the severity of her case .
Arizona’s New Alert System: The Backstory
The creation of the Turquoise Alert wasn’t just bureaucratic procedure; it was a direct response to a heartbreaking and persistent crisis. For years, advocates have pushed for better systems to address the disproportionately high rates of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The color turquoise was chosen specifically to honor these communities and bring national attention to their plight .
Before its launch, Arizona was one of many states lacking a dedicated alert system for this demographic. The Turquoise Alert fills that gap, providing a formal, rapid-response mechanism that can mobilize the entire community—from local news stations to cell phone carriers—in a matter of minutes .
How the Turquoise Alert System Works
When a law enforcement agency investigating a missing persons case believes the criteria are met, they can request a Turquoise Alert from the Arizona Department of Public Safety . Once approved, the alert is disseminated through multiple, simultaneous channels to ensure maximum public reach:
- Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs): These are the loud, attention-grabbing messages that pop up on every compatible cell phone in the designated area.
- The Emergency Alert System (EAS): Broadcast on television and radio stations, interrupting regular programming.
- Digital Signage: Displayed on highway message boards and other public digital platforms.
- Law Enforcement Bulletins: Sent out to all police departments statewide via an all-points bulletin .
This multi-pronged approach is designed to flood the zone with information, dramatically increasing the chances that someone in the public will see something relevant and report it to authorities.
What to Do If You Have Information
If you have any information regarding Isabella Comas’s whereabouts or the circumstances of her disappearance, it is critical that you contact law enforcement immediately. Your tip, no matter how small it may seem, could be the key to bringing her home safely.
You can reach the Avondale Police Department directly or call the Arizona DPS tip line. In cases like these, time is the most precious resource, and public vigilance is an essential part of the search effort.
Conclusion
The activation of a Turquoise Alert for Isabella Comas is a stark reminder of both the dangers that can arise unexpectedly and the power of a coordinated community response. This new system represents a significant step forward for Arizona in its ability to respond to endangered missing persons cases, particularly those involving vulnerable populations. As the search for Isabella continues, the hope is that this widespread alert will lead to a breakthrough and her safe return. For more on how communities handle crises, see our guide on [INTERNAL_LINK:civic-emergency-response].
Sources
- Arizona Department of Public Safety. (2025). Arizona launches Turquoise Alerts to address crisis of missing persons. Retrieved from https://www.azdps.gov/
- Office of Governor Katie Hobbs. (2025, July 10). Governor Katie Hobbs Announces Launch of Arizona Turquoise Alert.
- Avondale Police Department. (2026, January 13). Missing Person Bulletin: Isabella Comas.
- Times of India. (2026). What is Turquoise Alert and why is it issued for 21-year-old Isabella Comas. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/what-is-turquoise-alert-21-year-old-avondale-woman-isabella-comas-reported-missing-in-phoenix-know-why-it-was-issued-and-other-details/articleshow/126523152.cms
- National Congress of American Indians. (n.d.). Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls (MMIWG). Retrieved from https://www.ncai.org/initiatives/mmiwg