Detectives have reopened an investigation of the unsolved killing of a Southern California woman 20 years ago.
Eighteen-year-old Mariana Tapia vanished on July 2, 1999, after attending a friend’s birthday party at a nightclub in Pico Rivera.
The mother of a 4-year-old daughter was last seen dancing with unknown men.
A worker inspecting a fence in a brushy area in Anaheim found her body on Aug. 22, 1999. One foot was protruding from a shallow grave. Authorities determined she died from at least one gunshot wound.
Anaheim police say Tuesday that cold case detectives have been re-examining ballistic and DNA evidence, and hope any reluctant witnesses come forward.
Sgt. Jeff Mundy says in particular they hope a woman who called in information in early 2000 calls police again.
Associated Press
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 3, 2019. Read the original PDF.