Five years after Phoenix woman Alisha Hale, also known in public records as Alisha Marie Bellotte, was found shot and left in a remote stretch of desert near I‑10 and Baseline Road, her family says they are still waiting for answers. Detectives say recent case work has opened up a new line of inquiry that has given them fresh hope of finally cracking the cold case.
What police released and why investigators reopened leads
Hale, 34, was discovered on June 3, 2021, in a secluded area southwest of Baseline Road and the I‑10 Freeway. Investigators believe the shooting happened the day before.
Phoenix police released surveillance video in July 2025 that shows Hale riding in the passenger seat of a silver mid‑2000s Dodge Ram as it slowly pulls away from the area, with an unidentified man behind the wheel. Detectives say the camera did not capture a license plate, but they hope details like a rear tow hitch on the truck will jog someone’s memory.
According to FOX10 Phoenix, that video helped prompt renewed investigative work last summer, and a renewed push for tips highlighted the effort at the time.
New theory focuses on medical finding
Phoenix Police Detective Kevin Ham, who took over the case in 2025, told ABC15 that an autopsy showed Hale was HIV‑positive. Ham said “the possibility exists that maybe she passed on that virus to the suspect,” a development investigators say is driving a new round of follow‑up work.
Ham added that detectives believe Hale probably knew the person seen with her in the surveillance video and said he thinks the case still has a strong chance of being solved if new information comes in.
Family pushes back, vows to keep searching
Hale’s relatives strongly rejected any suggestion that her medical status could explain or justify what happened and described the emotional strain of waiting five years without an arrest.
“It’s the hardest thing is waiting and no answers, no justice, you know?” said Jamie Terrell, and family members told ABC15 they intend to keep pushing for leads until someone is held responsible.
How to report tips
Silent Witness lists a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is urged to call Silent Witness at 480‑WITNESS (480‑TESTIGO for Spanish speakers) or submit an anonymous tip online, as noted by Silent Witness.
