On October 22, 2026, a sense of concern grew for the family and community of 17-year-old Rezella Ellis when she was reported missing from Surprise, Arizona. Described as an African American female with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet tall and weighing around 120 to 123 pounds, her disappearance prompted a call for public assistance. When she was last seen in Surprise, near the area of 163rd Avenue and West Happy Valley Road, she was reportedly wearing black jeans, a green hoodie, and a black wig. At the time of this disappearance, authorities from the Surprise Police Department indicated that she might be in or heading towards the city of Maricopa, Arizona.
This was not the first time in 2026 that Rezella had been reported missing, creating a troubling pattern that heightened the urgency and worry for her safety. Earlier in the year, on May 2nd, she had disappeared from Mesa, Arizona.
In that instance, the Mesa Police Department issued a public call for help, stating she was last seen in the vicinity of Country Club Drive and Brown Road wearing orange pants and a black crop top shirt. Thankfully, in that case, the Mesa Police Department later reported that Rezella had been located and was safe. Records also indicate a previous incident where she was reported missing from Buckeye, Arizona on April 13, 2026, after which she was also successfully located.
The repeated instances of her going missing have led to increased concern for her well-being, with some pointing out that such a pattern is often an indicator that a young person is in need of help and support. Each time she disappeared, law enforcement and her community were left to piece together the circumstances leading to her leaving. The overview of Rezella's case in 2026 reflects a series of disappearances across multiple cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Buckeye, Mesa, and most recently, Surprise. This history paints a picture of a vulnerable teenager for whom community and law enforcement concern has grown with each subsequent report. The Surprise Police Department was the primary contact for information regarding her late October disappearance.Last Seen: Oct 22, 2026
