Cold Case Utah: Rosa Tapia

Rosa Tapia [photo from SLC Police Department website]


In the early morning hours of August 13, 1995 , a little girl named Rosa Tapia, age 6, was discovered to be missing. Only her 4-year-old sister remained in the bed where Rosa normally slept. According to the Salt Lake City Police Department website, Rosa's mother immediately reported her missing. A screen to the bedroom window had been removed with no sign of Rosa.

Sadly, hours later Rosa's tiny body was found floating in a surplus canal by an unidentified man walking his dog. She had been sexually assaulted prior to being dumped at the canal.

Almost 14 years later, authorities are still trying to solve the murder and sexual assault of Rosa Tapia. An article on the website for an ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City reported in March 2008 that the police have offered a reward of $30,000 for information in the case.

The police have not given up on solving this brutal rape and murder of such a beautiful child. Her mother, as every family of a murder victim, deserves to know who did this to her child. And Rosa Tapia deserves justice. Someone, somewhere knows something.

If you have any information that could help solve this case, please call the Salt Lake City Police tipline at : (801)-799-INFO.


Source(s): Salt Lake City Police Department website, ABC news 4 -Salt Lake City