A tragic case has unfolded in Arizona, where an 18-year-old woman was brutally murdered after meeting a man through a dating app. The suspect, a 27-year-old man, fled across several states before being arrested nearly two weeks later.
Teen Girl Killed After Meeting Man on Dating App
Yessenia “Sisi” Norman, just 18 years old, was reported missing after she left her group home on January 15, 2026. She had told friends she was going to meet someone she had connected with online through a dating app. When she didn’t return, a friend raised the alarm and filed a missing person’s report four days later.
On January 28, police made a heartbreaking discovery — Yessenia’s body was found inside an apartment in Tolleson, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.
Victim Stabbed 27 Times and Mutilated
Investigators said the teen had been stabbed nearly 30 times and her body was mutilated, then covered with blankets and towels. The apartment where her body was discovered was linked to Randal Basilio Santillan, a 27-year-old man authorities say is responsible for the gruesome killing.
No motive has been made public yet.
Suspect Fled State, Caught 1,600 Miles Away
After the murder, Santillan allegedly fled Arizona. Using traffic cameras, authorities tracked his vehicle’s journey across New Mexico, Illinois, and Missouri, finally locating him in Biloxi, Mississippi, nearly 1,600 miles from the crime scene.
Santillan was arrested on Friday and is currently being held at the Harrison County Adult Detention Center as he awaits extradition back to Arizona. He is expected to face charges of:
- First-degree murder
- Kidnapping
Family Devastated by the Loss
Yessenia’s mother, Jessica Calderon, is struggling to come to terms with the horrific nature of her daughter’s death.
“I just can’t imagine. Who would do that to her? I just don’t understand,” she told local reporters.
A GoFundMe account set up to support the family described Yessenia as a bright, loving young woman known for her compassion and kindness.
“She loved all of her friends’ children endlessly, treating them as if they were family too,” the post read. “She had a very bright future. She recently signed up for community college and was eager to begin her adult life.”
A Stark Reminder of Online Dating Dangers
This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the risks that can come with meeting strangers online, especially for young and vulnerable individuals. Authorities urge people to always take precautions when meeting someone for the first time, such as:
- Meeting in public places
- Letting someone know where you’re going
- Avoiding isolated locations
- Trusting your instincts
As the investigation continues, Yessenia’s family and community mourn the loss of a life cut short far too soon.
