Flagstaff police release details surrounding missing Phoenix teacher

PHOENIX - A search is on for a missing elementary school teacher from the Valley. Cathryn Gorospe was last seen in Flagstaff on October 6, and now, Gorospe's family, friends, and students are getting very worried.

Gorospe is described as a white female, 44 years old, 5' 5" tall, 150 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.

On Tuesday, Flagstaff Police released many details surrounding the case.

According to an incident summary released by Flagstaff Police Tuesday afternoon, Gorospe, on October 6, bonded Charlie Malzahn, 27, out of the Coconino County Jail. Gorospe has not been seen since. Malzahn, according to police, was booked into jail on August 20 by Williams police for alleged theft of means of transportation, in addition to other alleged weapons-related charges.

Investigators with Flagstaff Police said Gorospe bailed Malzahn out of jail at about 10:12 p.m. on October 6, and it is believed the two left Flagstaff traveling west, likely via I-40 towards Williams. Police said ultimately, it is unknown how long the two were together, but police said it is believed that Malzahn took the car from Gorospe, at some point.

According to police, investigators feel Malzahn traveled from Flagstaff through Williams, Chino Valley, Prescott, Prescott Valley to I-17, and then through Phoenix to the town of Clifton.

Tucson Police said Malzahn tried to buy items at a mall, with Gorospe's credit and debit cards last Saturday afternoon, and he may have been driving her SUV. The vehicle was spotted early Monday in Phoenix and Malzahn was arrested after he crashed the SUV following a police pursuit.

If you have any information about Gorospe's whereabouts, contact the Flagstaff Police Department at 928-774-1414.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.