UT UT - Rosie Tapia, 6, Salt Lake City, 13 Aug 1995

[Indy Anna]

I just saw this today. I hope Barbie offers some answers.

Barbie doll left on grave could provide clues to solve cold case rape, murder of 6-year-old girl in Utah

On Thursday -- the day that Rosie would have turned 30 -- the Utah Cold Case Coalition held a press conference to share the news that the doll left at the gravesite may, in fact, be a valuable clue.

Representatives from the group said that two possible persons of interest have been identified who had some fixation with Barbies.

BBM

 

[dotr]

Is this the correct Barbie?
"Porter says there are two phases in the test. The first phase extracts the DNA, and the second — and more costly — phase identifies the DNA.

Could a Barbie Doll Hold the Clue to Solving a 23-Year-Old Cold Case?

Last year, the group paid to get the DNA extracted from the doll, which included male DNA, Porter says. The group believes the doll, known as Pretty Hearts Barbie, could be a valuable clue in the case and they’re hoping someone will come forward with any information on who may have left it there."

"According to Porter, they have received numerous calls about Barbie dolls left at grave sites for other murdered girls, including some in other states. She didn’t know if there was a link between the cases.

“The time frames we’ve been contacted on are fairly close together although in different states,” she says. “Could it be the same person? I don’t know. Could it be a certain type of predator? I don’t know. It could also be totally innocent.”

 

[dotr]

May 8 2019
New sketch of possible suspect in 6-YO Rosie Tapia's rape, murder released

The Utah Cold Case Coalition released a sketch of a possible suspect in the August 1995 murder of Rosie Tapia in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of Utah Cold Case Coalition)

"The witness described the teenager as a 16- to 17-year-old boy who is Hispanic, had a slight build and a narrow face with high cheek bones. He was seen wearing denim jeans, a white shirt and a medium length gold chain.

Tapia's former neighbor says the sketch is highly accurate, a press release stated."

"The Utah Cold Case Coalition is hoping the public can help them identify this person.

If you have any information, please contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000 or Jason Jensen with the Utah Cold Case Coalition at 801-759-2248."

 

[Force Ten]

May 8 2019
New sketch of possible suspect in 6-YO Rosie Tapia's rape, murder released

The Utah Cold Case Coalition released a sketch of a possible suspect in the August 1995 murder of Rosie Tapia in Salt Lake City. (Photo courtesy of Utah Cold Case Coalition)

"The witness described the teenager as a 16- to 17-year-old boy who is Hispanic, had a slight build and a narrow face with high cheek bones. He was seen wearing denim jeans, a white shirt and a medium length gold chain.

Tapia's former neighbor says the sketch is highly accurate, a press release stated."

"The Utah Cold Case Coalition is hoping the public can help them identify this person.

If you have any information, please contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000 or Jason Jensen with the Utah Cold Case Coalition at 801-759-2248."

Why so many years later?

 

[dotr]

Why so many years later?

Rbbm.
The Justice Files: Composite sketch of possible suspect in Rosie Tapia's murder
"In January and again in March, ABC4 reported about a witness who claimed to have seen a young man walking away from the canal where Rosie's body was found the next day."

"In 1995, there was a breakdown in communication between the witness and Salt Lake City police and a composite was never developed.

In March, 24 years after Rosie's murder, the witness met with a professional sketch artist from southern California and ABC4 was there when the composite came together."

"I think it takes it into a bold new direction where we can look at somebody that matches the description from old yearbooks," said Jason Jensen. "We can check with old witnesses that lived in that apartment community and see if they recognize that individual."

The witness said the encounter with that young man years ago, never left his memory.

And he said it was all because Rosie's mother never let the public forget about her daughter.

"Whenever she'd come on TV I'd think about it," said the witness. "It's just always bothered me that the police department 23 years ago didn't want to help me do this before."

 

[Indy Anna]

Rbbm.
The Justice Files: Composite sketch of possible suspect in Rosie Tapia's murder
"In January and again in March, ABC4 reported about a witness who claimed to have seen a young man walking away from the canal where Rosie's body was found the next day."

"In 1995, there was a breakdown in communication between the witness and Salt Lake City police and a composite was never developed.

In March, 24 years after Rosie's murder, the witness met with a professional sketch artist from southern California and ABC4 was there when the composite came together."

"I think it takes it into a bold new direction where we can look at somebody that matches the description from old yearbooks," said Jason Jensen. "We can check with old witnesses that lived in that apartment community and see if they recognize that individual."

The witness said the encounter with that young man years ago, never left his memory.

And he said it was all because Rosie's mother never let the public forget about her daughter.

"Whenever she'd come on TV I'd think about it," said the witness. "It's just always bothered me that the police department 23 years ago didn't want to help me do this before."

Wow. I hope the sketch helps ID Rosie's killer. But, he will have changed drastically by now and people's memories have faded, decreasing the likelihood someone will recognize him from the composite. Unless a family member recognizes him. Could a police artist use the sketch to do an age progression of the suspect?

I wonder if either of the POI's who have an obsession with Barbie dolls resembles the sketch?

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A neighbor, who claims he saw a young man coming from the direction of the canal the night Rosie was abducted, said he never received police attention, the newspaper reported.

The neighbor reached out years later to the Cold Case Coalition, who created a sketch of a potential suspect based on his account, officials said. That sketch was released to the public in May.

According to tips sent to the Coalition, the group believes the man in the sketch lives in the Salt Lake valley, officials said.

That information was sent to the Salt Lake City Police Department, but the Tapia family is unsure if authorities have acted on the new information, the newspaper reported.

We cannot release details about the case, but the community could help by sending tips directly to authorities, said Detective Greg Wilking, spokesman for the police department.

This case "haunts" detectives, who want to find Rosie's killer, but it is difficult investigating a case from two decades ago, authorities said.
Mother hopes Utah police find killer in child's 1995 murder

 

[Niner]

So guessing no DNA in this case, eh?

And thanks for that article imstilla.grandma!

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A neighbor claimed he was up early and saw a teenager coming from the same direction as the canal. At first, he thought the teen was wearing pants with two different colors, but then realized the pants were wet, a press release stated.

It's been almost two years since investigators announced new leads in the case.

They also recently released a sketch of a possible suspect. According to a press release, the sketch is based on Tapia's neighbor's recollection.

Today marks 24 years since Rosie Tapia's murder, abduction and rape has gone unsolved. Lewine Tapia is holding a sketch of a possible suspect in the murder of her daughter. (Photo: KUTV)
24 years later, investigators still search for Rosie Tapia's killer

 

[dotr]

Aug 13 2020
Cold Case Coalition launches new project on 25th anniversary of 6-year-old Rosie Tapias’ murder | ABC4 Utah
''Utah (ABC4 News) — Aug. 13 marks 25 years since the unsolved murder of 6-year-old Rosie Tapia. Thursday, co-founders of the Utah Cold Case Coalition announced the groundbreaking new project named for Rosie that works to identify unidentified bodies in the intermountain area.''

''Justice Files Rosie Tapia
The Coalition’s forensic DNA laboratory, Intermountain Forensics, will offer no-cost DNA testing and genetic genealogy to put names to unidentified bodies in the intermountain region: Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.''

''Intermountain Forensics is a state of the art laboratory. “It has equipment that many crime labs don’t even have. We now have the most advanced testing available for bone, teeth, clothing, and hair, and one of the top DNA extraction experts in the country.” Porter said.

The lab is offering this service throughout the United States, but resources are limited by the donations and grants it is funded by as a nonprofit, Porter added.

The Coalition asks anyone with information about any cold case to call the group’s Tip Line at 385-CLUE-313 (385-258-3313).''

 

[watcher9]

Aug 13 2020
Cold Case Coalition launches new project on 25th anniversary of 6-year-old Rosie Tapias’ murder | ABC4 Utah
''Utah (ABC4 News) — Aug. 13 marks 25 years since the unsolved murder of 6-year-old Rosie Tapia. Thursday, co-founders of the Utah Cold Case Coalition announced the groundbreaking new project named for Rosie that works to identify unidentified bodies in the intermountain area.''

''Justice Files Rosie Tapia
The Coalition’s forensic DNA laboratory, Intermountain Forensics, will offer no-cost DNA testing and genetic genealogy to put names to unidentified bodies in the intermountain region: Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.''

''Intermountain Forensics is a state of the art laboratory. “It has equipment that many crime labs don’t even have. We now have the most advanced testing available for bone, teeth, clothing, and hair, and one of the top DNA extraction experts in the country.” Porter said.

The lab is offering this service throughout the United States, but resources are limited by the donations and grants it is funded by as a nonprofit, Porter added.

The Coalition asks anyone with information about any cold case to call the group’s Tip Line at 385-CLUE-313 (385-258-3313).''

Links to Intermountain Forensics -

https://www.intermountainforensics.com/

Intermountain Forensics

 

[dotr]

Just a thought, if the perp was really into Barbie dolls would he have attended a BD convention, if not in 1995, maybe now?
If so, it would be interesting if there were photos (a guy likely to stand out more) available of the crowds. speculation, imo.
Jul 9, 1995 Utah
DON'T CALL THIS DOLL A BIMBO: BARBIE BRINGS IN THE BUCKS
''But the annual Barbie Doll convention means much more to collectors as they search for that rare edition and compete in doll-fashion shows''

New Mexico
WHAT'S THE PRICE ON BARBIE'S HEAD?
July 14 1995
''Dear Do-It Man: I noticed a story in the Deseret News about a Barbie Doll convention recently held in Albuquerque, N.M. I gathered from the story that some Barbie Dolls are commanding quite a bit of money on the collectors' market.''

 

[CastlesBurning]

Cold cases: Utah cases that remain unsolved years later

 

[margarita25]

Bump

 

[iSkiDV]

<modsnip: sleuthing random person> I am shocked this case is still unsolved.

I know memories fade, but I keep hoping someone will come forward with more than speculation.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Intermountain Forensics originated in 2019 when Hellwig, a forensic scientist who’d been running his own lab for twelve years, began discussing a landmark Utah cold case with Salt Lake City-based attorney Karra Porter. Both sat down to discuss ways they might use DNA and technology to add a more complete picture to the 1995 murder of Rosie Tapia.

The case has been a major piece of Utah’s public consciousness for years but recently broke into national awareness through efforts from family members to maintain momentum on the case and an Investigation Discovery true crime television documentary.

Tapia was abducted from her family’s apartment through a window and was found a few hours later. She had been sexually assaulted and drowned.

Along with her co-founders Jason K. Jensen, a private investigator, and Tom Harvey, a retired journalist, Porter has dug deeply into the Tapia case to search for new answers. She represented the family as an attorney in 2017 when she announced at a press conference that her team had found new leads and potential suspects beyond what police had identified previously.

“It’s just a paradigm-shifting revolutionary technology,” Hellwig says of his organization’s work to piece together broken or damaged DNA, even if it’s very old.

And while it’s been 27 years, the effort to find Tapia’s killer remains. In 2019, a sketch was released purporting to show the suspect from a neighbor’s recollection. Jensen tried in 2022 to appeal for new information by adding to the reward pool, bringing it from $35,000 to $100,000. He also made a public plea, suggesting that there were members of the Utah community who knew what happened but have never spoken up.

“Make right with the community, make right with God,” he said at a press conference.

This forensic DNA lab is using new tech to solve cold cases

www.utahbusiness.com

 

[MadMcGoo]

True Crime Garage did a 2 part feature on Rosie’s case. May 2023 be the year her killer is identified and brought to justice!

The Barbie Doll Killer /// 653 /// 654

truecrimegarage.com

 

[arielilane]

True Crime Garage did a 2 part feature on Rosie’s case. May 2023 be the year her killer is identified and brought to justice!

The Barbie Doll Killer /// 653 /// 654

truecrimegarage.com

I'm going to listen in on both parts 1 & 2. Thanks for the heads up!