AZ - Yessenia Norman, 18, Phoenix, 19 January 2026 *homicide investigation* *arrest*

[bwolf]

Yessenia Norman, 18, was last seen on Jan. 19. She had been living at a transitional facility that is contracted with the Arizona Department of Child Safety.

Norman's mother tells FOX 10's Justin Lum that her daughter planned on meeting someone she met online before her disappearance.

"Loved ones say her social media platforms have gone quiet and her phone is off," Lum wrote in a Facebook post.

Before her disappearance, Norman was set to start classes at Glendale Community College.

What you can do:

Phoenix Police say Norman's case has been assigned to a detective. Anyone with information should call them at 602-262-6151.

Yessenia Norman: Police confirm death of missing Valley woman

Yessenia Norman, 18, who reported missing on Jan. 19, has been found dead.

www.fox10phoenix.com

 

[GraceG]

She was reported missing in 2024 and posted on the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children Website. Likely different circumstances but sharing as her photo then shows her with lighter red hair which may be her natural hair coloring. She is also wearing glasses which appear to be a style that would be prescription as opposed to just non-prescription fashion glasses. Log into Facebook

This article from Fox 10 Local News (Phoenix) stated that the place she was living was a facility that is contracted with the Arizona Department of Child Safety. Arizona missing persons cases - 2026

 

[Unalienable Rights]

'It doesn't feel real': Mom of missing teen found dead says she was ready to start new life

Tolleson Police recovered the body of 18-year-old Yessenia Norman, ending a nearly two-week search that began after she vanished on Jan. 19.

www.fox10phoenix.com

• Tolleson Police recovered the body of 18-year-old Yessenia Norman after she vanished on Jan. 19.
• Norman’s mother says the teen had plans to meet someone from the internet before her disappearance and was living in a transitional facility at the time.
• The cause of death is unknown.

After her body was discovered, Tolleson Police are investigating the case as a homicide.

 

[bwolf]

'It doesn't feel real': Mom of missing teen found dead says she was ready to start new life

Tolleson Police recovered the body of 18-year-old Yessenia Norman, ending a nearly two-week search that began after she vanished on Jan. 19.

www.fox10phoenix.com

• Tolleson Police recovered the body of 18-year-old Yessenia Norman after she vanished on Jan. 19.
• Norman’s mother says the teen had plans to meet someone from the internet before her disappearance and was living in a transitional facility at the time.
• The cause of death is unknown.

After her body was discovered, Tolleson Police are investigating the case as a homicide.

Oh no I’m heartbroken, what horrible news! That article is absolutely devastating, I feel so bad for her mother. What an awful tragedy. It will always be beyond me how someone could do such a thing like that. I hope the killer is found and faces justice…

 

[bwolf]

On January 28, Tolleson police responded to an apartment complex around 91st Avenue and the Interstate 10 Freeway, regarding a report of a possible deceased person inside one of the units.

Officers said they conducted a welfare check and located a body inside the apartment. Suspicious circumstances were identified, leading detectives to believe the death may be a homicide, according to a Tolleson Police Department spokesperson.

According to Tolleson police, investigators have no information to suggest an immediate threat to the public.

Tolleson declined to provide the victim's name or additional details.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner's office has listed Norman's death as a homicide.

One of Norman's friends started a GoFundMe page to raise money for a funeral.

Tolleson police investigating death at apartment complex near I-10 and 91st Avenue

Tolleson police say a death investigation is underway at an apartment complex near 91st Avenue and Interstate 10.

www.abc15.com

 

[bwolf]

Arrest made:

According to court documents, Randal Azael Basilio Santillan is accused of a count of 1st Degree Murder and a count of kidnapping in connection with the death of Yessenia Norman.

Yessenia Norman: Arrest made in Phoenix woman's murder | FOX 10 Phoenix

A suspect in the disappearance and death of Yessenia Norman has been identified, according to court documents.

www.fox10phoenix.com

 

[GraceG]

Docket: Public Access to Court Information

Superior Court Docket: Public Access to Court Information

www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

 

[whowy]

View attachment 642456
View attachment 642457
View attachment 642458

Docket: Public Access to Court Information

Superior Court Docket: Public Access to Court Information

www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov

Such a tragic waste of Yessenia's life. May she rest in peace. Wonder who provided the published info that she was last seen on 1-19-26? If the criminal complaint is accurate, she was killed no later than 1-16-26 (3 days before she was reportedly last seen). Hoping everyone responsible is brought to justice.

 

[borndem]

Welcome to Websleuths, ​

bwolf !!​

 

[borndem]

Oh, just why, why, why??

Her mom said she was about to start a new life.
Prayers and/or sweet thoughts about Yessenia and all who knew and loved her.

It appears that a perpetrator has been found.

 

[Niner]

Party Information
Party Name - Number Relationship Sex Attorney Judge Case #
State Of Arizona - (1) Plaintiff N/A COUNTY ATTORNEY CRIMINAL -CCC,
Randal Azael Basilio Santillan - (2) Defendant M To Be Determined Griblin CR2026-003251-001

Disposition Information
Party Name Randal Azael Basilio Santillan Crime Date 1/15/2026 Date
Description MURDER 1ST DEG-PREMEDITATED ARSCode 13-1105A1 (F1)
Disposition Code Disposition

Party Nam Randal Azael Basilio Santillan Crime Date 1/15/2026 Date
Description KIDNAP-DEATH/INJ/SEX/AID FEL ARSCode 13-1304A3 (F2)
Disposition Code Disposition

Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
2/5/2026 DCO - Direct Complaint - Party (001) 2/5/2026
2/5/2026 CID - Court Information Sheet - Party (001) 2/6/2026
2/5/2026 RQU - Release Questionnaire - Party (001) 2/6/2026
2/5/2026 WFS - Warrant Fact Sheet - Party (001) 2/6/2026
2/5/2026 IWA – Issuance of Warrant - Party (001) 2/6/2026

Case Calendar
Date Time Event
No records found.


link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[mickey2942]

There have been several girls missing, or killed in the area...could he be a possible serial killer?

 

[bwolf]

There have been several girls missing, or killed in the area...could he be a possible serial killer?

Arizona always has a disproportionate number of missing persons. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions but it’s of course a possibility. To me it doesn’t seem like that for a few reasons, mostly due to the fact that he made no effort at all to cover his tracks or hide the body. They met over a dating app, and those murders tend to be one-offs because it’s so ridiculously easy to track down the culprit. He’s also only 27 and has no prior criminal record. Anything is possible though, and of course there’s a very high likelihood that he has victimized other women in the past, even if he didn’t murder them.

 

[bwolf]

According to police, she was found mutilated with 27 stab wounds. Absolutely terrifying. The man responsible for this is insanely dangerous. I hate that women have to worry about sickos like this. To think people capable of horrific crimes like this walk among society undetected until it’s too late…

Teenager was stabbed 27 times, mutilated after meeting man she met on dating app: police

A teenage girl was allegedly found mutilated with 27 stab wounds after a man she met on a dating app lured her to his apartment.

komonews.com

 

[Niner]

Still no updates in the court site...

 

[Niner]

Sorry - I let this one slide by... missed a few hearings....


Case Documents
Filing Date Description Docket Date/Filing Party
4/13/2026 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 4/13/2026
4/13/2026 ROD - Record of Distribution - Party (001) 4/13/2026
NOTE: Record of Distribution
4/13/2026 ROD - Record of Distribution - Party (001) 4/13/2026
NOTE: Record of Distribution
4/13/2026 REL - Reply - Party (001) 4/14/2026
NOTE: REPLY TO STATE’S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO STRIKE STATE’S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO PRODUCE OME RECORDS

4/9/2026 RES - Response - Party (001) 4/10/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE MOTION TO REMAND TO THE GRAND JURY
4/9/2026 REL - Reply - Party (001) 4/10/2026
NOTE: REPLY TO STATE’S RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE MOTION TO REMAND TO THE GRAND JURY
4/8/2026 ORD - Order - Party (001) 4/10/2026
NOTE: GRANTING DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO WITHDRAW MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS
4/8/2026 ORD - Order - Party (001) 4/10/2026
NOTE: PROTECTIVE ORDER - VICTIM CALL DETAIL RECORDS AND CELL SITE DATA
4/8/2026 REL - Reply - Party (001) 4/9/2026
NOTE: REPLY TO OME’S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS

4/8/2026 NDR - Notice of Defenses and Request for Notice of Rebuttal Witnesses-Party (001)
4/9/2026
NOTE: Notice of Defenses and Request for Disclosure of Rebuttal Witnesses
4/8/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 4/9/2026
NOTE: Motion to Extend Page Limit-Reply
4/8/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 4/9/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE AND OBJECTION TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO STRIKE STATE’S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO PRODUCE OME RECORDS
4/8/2026 RET - Request For Extension Of Time - Party (001) 4/9/2026
NOTE: REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF TIME TO FILE MOTION TO REMAND TO THE GRAND JURY
4/8/2026 STA - Statement - Party (001) 4/9/2026
NOTE: INITIAL PRETRIAL CONFERENCE STATEMENT

4/7/2026 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits-Party (001) 4/7/2026
4/3/2026 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit-Party (001) 4/3/2026
4/3/2026 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001) 4/3/2026
4/3/2026 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001) 4/3/2026
4/3/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 4/6/2026
NOTE: MOTION FOR LEAVE TO FILE MOTIONS EX PARTE AND UNDER SEAL: DEFENSE FILING #1
4/3/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 4/6/2026
NOTE: MOTION TO STRIKE STATE’S RESPONSE TO MOTION TO PRODUCE OME RECORDS

4/2/2026 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 4/2/2026

4/1/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 4/2/2026
NOTE: OME’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO PRODUCE (OME)
4/1/2026 598 - ME: Continuance Past last Day - Party (001) 4/1/2026

3/31/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 4/1/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO PRODUCE OME RECORDS
3/31/2026 ORD - Order - Party (001) 4/7/2026
NOTE: ORDER TO EXTEND NOTICE DEADLINE AND FIRM TRIAL DATE
3/31/2026 RTR - Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001) 3/31/2026

3/30/2026 MTR - Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit - Party (001) 3/30/2026
3/30/2026 OFT - Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001) 3/30/2026
3/30/2026 RRF - Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits - Party (001) 3/30/2026
3/30/2026 OBJ - Objection/Opposition - Party (001) 3/31/2026
NOTE: OME’S SUPPLEMENTAL OBJECTION TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO PRODUCE OME RECORDS
3/30/2026 STP - Stipulation - Party (001) 3/31/2026
NOTE: STIPULATION TO EXTEND NOTICE DEADLINE AND FIRM TRIAL DATE
3/30/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/31/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO WITHDRAW MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS

3/25/2026 023 - ME: Order Entered By Court - Party (001) 3/25/2026

3/24/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/25/2026
NOTE: MOTION TO WITHDRAW MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS
3/24/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/25/2026
NOTE: Motion to Produce OME Records

3/23/2026 GJT – Grand Jury Transcript - Party (001) 3/23/2026

3/20/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/23/2026
NOTE: STATE’S MOTION FOR PROTECTIVE ORDER – VICTIM CALL DETAIL RECORDS AND CELL SITE DATA

3/19/2026 OBJ - Objection/Opposition - Party (001) 3/20/2026
NOTE: OME’S OBJECTION TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL OME RECORDS

3/18/2026 ALG - Allegation - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: STATE’S ALLEGATION OF VIOLENT CRIME PURSUANT TO A.R.S. § 13-901.03
3/18/2026 ALG - Allegation - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: STATE’S ALLEGATION OF AGGRAVATING CIRCUMSTANCES
3/18/2026 DAR - Notice of Disclosure and Request for Disclosure - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: STATE’S NOTICE OF DISCLOSURE AND REQUEST FOR DISCLOSURE
3/18/2026 NOT - Notice - Party (001) 3/19/2026
NOTE: NOTICE OF STATE'S RULE 15.2 REQUEST FOR PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AND REQUEST FOR LEAVE OF COURT TO TAKE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

3/16/2026 NAR - Notice Of Appearance - Party (001) 3/17/2026
NOTE: NOTICE OF LIMITED APPEARANCE

3/12/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 3/13/2026
NOTE: STATE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS
3/5/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/6/2026
NOTE: MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF OME RECORDS
3/5/2026 569 - ME: Not Guilty Arraignment/Complex Case Order - Party (001) 3/5/2026

3/4/2026 022 - ME: Order Signed - Party (001) 3/4/2026
3/4/2026 ROR - Release Order - Party (001) 3/4/2026
NOTE: Release Order

3/3/2026 ORD - Order - Party (001) 3/5/2026
NOTE: DENYING MOTION FOR ANY MEANS NECESSARY TRANSPORT ORDER FOR THE ARRAIGNMENT

2/27/2026 MOT - Motion - Party (001) 3/2/2026
NOTE: MOTION FOR ANY MEANS NECESSARY TRANSPORT ORDER FOR THE ARRAIGNMENT
2/27/2026 RMR - Response to Defendant's Motion - Party (001) 3/2/2026
NOTE: RESPONSE TO MOTION FOR ANY MEANS NECESSARY TRANSPORT ORDER FOR THE ARRAIGNMENT
2/27/2026 REL - Reply - Party (001) 3/2/2026
NOTE: REPLY TO DEFENDANT’S RESPONSE TO MOTION FOR ANY MEANS NECESSARY TRANSPORT ORDER FOR THE ARRAIGNMENT
2/27/2026 029 - ME: Status Conference - Party (001) 2/27/2026
2/27/2026 176 - ME: Continuance - Party (001) 2/27/2026

2/26/2026 NOI - Notice Of Intent - Party (001) 2/27/2026
NOTE: STATE’S NOTICE OF INTENT TO VACATE PRELIMINARY HEARING

2/25/2026 IND - Indictment - Party (001) 2/27/2026
2/25/2026 CID - Court Information Sheet - Party (001) 2/27/2026
2/25/2026 NSI - Notice of Supervening Indictment - Party (001) 2/27/2026
2/25/2026 606 - ME: GJ Not/Supervening Indictment - Party (001) 2/27/2026

2/20/2026 NAR - Notice Of Appearance - Party (001) 2/24/2026
NOTE: Notice of Appearance

2/19/2026 WRS-Warrant Served - Party (001) 2/26/2026

2/17/2026 RQU - Release Questionnaire - Party (001) 2/18/2026
NOTE: Release Questionnaire
2/17/2026 IAD - Initial Appearance Document - Party (001) 2/18/2026
NOTE: IA Packet
2/17/2026 ROC– Release Order/Order Regarding Counsel - Party (001) 2/18/2026
NOTE: IA Release Order


Case Calendar
Date Time Event
2/17/2026 23:00 Initial Appearance
2/23/2026 8:31 Status Conference
2/26/2026 8:31 Status Conference
2/26/2026 8:32 Preliminary Hearing
3/2/2026 8:32 Preliminary Hearing
3/4/2026 8:30 Original Arraignment Hearing

4/16/2026 13:30 Oral Argument

4/17/2026 8:15 Initial Pretrial Conference

6/2/2026 8:31 Complex / Capital Case

10/13/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

10/20/2026 9:00 Trial - vacated

12/28/2026 8:30 Pre-Trial Conference

1/4/2027 9:00 Trial

link: Criminal Court Case Information - Case History

 

[Niner]

Thursday, April 16th:
*Oral Arguments Hearing (@ 1:30pm AZT) - AZ - Yessenia Norman (18) reported missing on Jan. 19, 2026; last seen on Ring video on Jan. 15, 2026; found on Jan. 28, 2026 in Tolleson. *Randal Azael Basilio Santillan (27) arrested (1/28/26), charged (2/5/26) & arraigned (3/5/26) with 1st degree premeditated murder & kidnapping (resulting in death). Plead not guilty. Maricopa County
Case info: Yessenia Norman, 18, was reported missing on Jan. 19, 2026 She had been living at a Valley transitional facility. Ring video from the night of Jan. 15 shows Norman leaving the transitional home she was living at. Per friends, she was meeting with someone she met on a dating app. Police confirmed to FOX 10 that she was found dead on Jan. 28, 2026 at a Tolleson apartment complex. According to investigators, Yessenia was stabbed 27 times. Her body was mutilated & covered in blankets & towels. Court records reveal that Santillan & his ex-wife were the tenants of that apartment unit, but the ex had left Santillan last December. Per police, Santillan left Tolleson immediately, as license plate readers tracked his vehicle over the following days in New Mexico, Texas, Illinois, Missouri & finally Mississippi. Both the suspect & victim’s cell phone devices are located in the area of Yessenia’s residence the night she disappeared. According to a statement released by police in Biloxi, Miss., officers with the department's Emergency Services Unit (ESU) responded to a home in that city on the morning of Feb. 6 to serve an arrest warrant on 27-year-old Randal Basilio Santillan. Per officials, Santillan was arrested without incident.
Trial set to begin on 1/4/27.
Judge Griblin presiding. Maricopa County DA James H. Baumann. No defense attorney yet.
2/5/26 Docket updates: Issuance of warrant. Warrant Fact Sheet. Release questionnaire. Court information sheet. Direct complaint filed. 2/17/26 Docket updates: Release Order/Order regarding counsel. Release questionnaire. 2/19/26 Docket update: Warrant served. 2/20/26 Update: Notice of appearance. 2/25/26 Docket updates: Grand jury not/supervening indictment. Indictment. 2/26/26 Docket update: State's notice of intent to vacate preliminary hearing. 2/27/26 Docket update: Continuance of status conference on 2/23/26. 2/27/26 Docket updates: State's motion for any means necessary transport Order for the arraignment. Response to defendant's motion for any means necessary for transport.
3/3/26 Docket update: Preliminary hearing held. Order-Denying motion for any means necessary transport Order for the arraignment. 3/4/26 Docket update: Order signed. Release Order. 3/5/26 Docket updates: Arraignment hearing. Not guilty plead at arraignment. Defendant's motion to compel production of OME records. 3/12/26 Docket update: State's response to defendant's motion to compel production of OME records. 3/16/26 Docket update: Notice of limited appearance. 3/18/26Docket updates: Notice of State's Rule 15.2 request for physical evidence & request for leave of Court to take physical evidence. State's notice of disclosure & request for disclosure. State's allegation of aggravating circumstances & violet crime pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-901.03. 3/19/26 Docket update: OME's objection to defendant's motion to compel OME records. 3/20/26 Docket update: State's motion for protective order-victim call detail records & cell site data. 3/23/26 Docket update: Grand jury transcript. 3/24/26 Docket update: Motion to produce OME records. Motion to withdraw motion to compel production of OME records. 3/25/26 Order entered by Court. 3/30/26 Docket update: State's response to defendant's motion to withdraw motion to compel OME records. Stipulation to extend notice deadline & firm trial date. Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit. Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/ Exhibits. Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits. 3/31/26 Docket update: Return receipt for official Court files. Order to extend notice deadline & firm trial date. State's response to defendant's motion to produce OME records.
4/1/26 Docket update: OME's response to defendant's motion to produce OME records. 4/2/26 Docket update: Order entered by court. 4/3/26 Docket updates: Motion to strike State's response to motion to produce OME records. Motion for leave to file motions ex parte & under seal: Defense filing. 4/3/26 Docket updates: Release Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits. Order for Temporary Removal of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibits. Motion for Temporary Removal Of Court File/Transcripts/Exhibit. 4/7/26 Docket update: Return Receipt For Official Court Files/Transcripts/Exhibits. 4/8/26 Docket updates: Statement: initial pretrial conference statement. Request for extension of time to file Motion to remand to the Grand Jury. State's response & objection to defendant's motion to strike State's response to motion to produce OME records. Motion to extend page limit-reply. Notice of defense's & request for disclosure of rebuttal witnesses. Reply to OME's response to motion to compel records. Order: Protective Order-Victim call detail records & cell site data. Granting defendant's motion to withdraw motion to compel OME records. 4/9/26 Docket update: Reply to State's response to request for extension of time to file motion to remand to the Grand Jury. State's response to defendant's request for extension to file motion for Grand Jury. 4/13/26 Docket updates: Reply to State's response to Motion to strike State's response to motion for OME records. Record of distribution. Order entered by court.
4/15/26 Update: Next oral argument hearing on 4/16/26 @ 1:30pm, initial pretrial conference hearing on 4/17/26 @ 8:15am, Complex/Capital case hearing on 6/2/26 @ 8:30am. pretrial conference hearing on 10/13/26 & 12/28/26 @ 8:30am & trial is set to begin on 1/4/27 @ 9am.