SLCPD seeks help finding two men possibly connected to 1995 kidnapping and murder of Rosie Tapia

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Salt Lake City Police Department is asking the public for help identifying two teenage boys who may have vital information about the kidnapping and murder of Rosie Tapia in 1995.

According to a press release from the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD), detectives are looking for two teenage Hispanic boys who were visiting babysitters at the apartment where the Tapias lived on Aug. 12, 1995.

That night, Rosa “Rosie” Tapia was being babysat at the apartment, and a witness reported seeing two boys between 16-20 years old with slender to medium builds. Police believe that the boys could have been associated with the 21st Street gang.

The witness stated the two boys were drinking beer with the babysitters. Police say that the boys were in the apartment without the permission or knowledge of Rosie Tapia’s family.

“Detectives believe these boys could have vital information about the kidnapping and murder of Rosie Tapia,” SLCPD states in a press release.

Police say that those two boys would be between 40-50 years old today.

About Rosie Tapia

After 2 a.m., on Aug. 13, 1995, six-year-old Rosie Tapia was kidnapped from her bedroom. Her mother had checked on Rosie and her younger sister around 2 a.m. and found them both sleeping in the bedroom. A few hours later, around 5:45 a.m., Rosie was missing, and the screens were removed from the bedroom window.

SLCPD initiated a search for Rosie. Around 10 a.m. that same day, a man walking his dog near the canal at 900 S and 1600 W found Rosie’s body. An autopsy revealed that Rosie had been sexually assaulted and died by drowning.

Thirty years later, this case is still unsolved. Rosie’s family is holding out hope, and SLCPD is still seeking any information that may help solve Rosie’s murder.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call 801-799-3000 or submit an anonymous tip using the CityProtect App and reference case number 95-119190.