(Image source from: Where did the 78-year-old Phoenix lady disappear?)

A 78-year-old woman, Hellen Jean Lee, has mysteriously gone awol from her Phoenix home in the suburb of Goodyear. Police are assuming possible foul play as her house garage has been found heavily damaged.

The local sheriff was notified about her sudden dis on Wednesday, after Lee's daughter, who lives in Tucson, failed to reach her mother and reported her missing.

Lee's grandson, Jason Howell, was arrested on Wednesday, though on unrelated charges. Authorities suspect that Howell could be behind Lee's sudden disappearance as he is considered a 'person of interest' in the case. Howell lived with Lee in a house near McDowell and Litchfield.

According to the police, Howell stole a vehicle from Kyrene Del Cielo, located at 1350 N. Lakeshore Dr., about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Police detected him and pulled over. Apparently, he rammed into a police cruiser several times that left his stolen car disabled. He was accompanied by a 12-year-old girl who fled the scene.

Howell has been booked for “grand theft auto, aggravated assault on a police officer, felony flight from law enforcement and aggravated DUI.” Lee's van was later discovered a few blocks from where Howell allegedly stole the car, raising more suspicion.

Police also found a dead body which they believe is Lee's.

AW: Suchorita Dutta Choudhury