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Sandra Yi and Marc Giauque reporting Police have had few leads since 6-year-old Rosie Tapia was found murdered back in 1995. Investigators and Tapia's family hope that will change with the offer of a hefty reward.
"She would have been 19, and I don't know what she would have looked like. So, it's hard," said Lewine Tapia, Rosie's mother.
Not a day goes by that Lewine doesn't think about her daughter Rosie. "I pray every morning that she's doing OK," she said.
The 6-year-old girl was kidnapped while she slept in her bed. The person got in through an open window.
The next morning, a man walking his dog found Rosie's body in the canal near her home. She had been sexually assaulted and murdered.
The case went cold, but detectives reopened it in 2003. Then today, police and FBI agents, along with Salt Lake City's mayor and a few local companies, announced a $30,000 reward.
"I would hope that this announcement will tell the community loudly and clearly that such a heinous crime is never forgotten by law enforcement," said Tim Fuhrman, Special Agent in Charge for the FBI in Salt Lake City.
Investigators are hoping for a break. It's something Lewine hopes to see happen in her lifetime. "I'm not giving up hope. I hope I can live for a long time [so] that I can make sure that the person who took her is found," she said.
Tipsters can remain anonymous. Call 799-INFO with any information.
The Tapia family is also starting a scholarship fund under Rosie Tapia's name. You can donate at any Wells Fargo bank.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
E-mail: mgiauque@ksl.com
