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SALT LAKE CITY -- Police are asking the public to help them find someone who may have information in a murder case -- but this person may be hard to find since the murder happened 15 years ago.
Investigators say the man they're looking for is not a suspect or even a person of interest in the murder of 6-year-old Rosa Tapia.
"[He's] just somebody who we think may have seen her the night before she disappeared and may have some information," said Salt Lake Police Sergeant Robin Snyder.
August 15, 1995, Rosa was last seen at her home at 1601 Snow Queen Place. Rosa's mother last checked on her at 2 a.m. as the girl was sleeping in her bed. At 5:45 a.m. the girl was missing from her room and the bedroom window was removed.
Less than five hours later, the girl's body was found in a canal near 1900 South and 1600 West. An autopsy revealed Rosa had been sexually assaulted.
Snyder says a witness described the man they're now seeking as white, about 30 years old, with a dark complexion. He is about 5-foot-9 with a thin build and medium-length dark brown hair.
At least, that's how he may have looked 15 years ago. He was also wearing a white t-shirt, red-brimmed ball cap and brown dark glasses at the time.
"Somebody may look back at when they lived there or if they were visiting and saw this person back then," Snyder said.
Police may have a composite drawing of this person by next week.
Salt Lake City Police Department offers up to $5,000 for information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of homicide suspects. To report such information, the police department asks the public to call (801) 799-INFO (4636) using reference case #95-119190. Callers may remain anonymous.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
