RACHAEL RUNYAN CASE REOPENED ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF CHILD'S MURDER
POLICE RESTART INVESTIGATION & PARENTS OFFER BIG REWARD

Twenty-five years after Rachael Runyan was snatched from a playground and murdered, the Sunset Police Department has agreed to reopen one of the biggest unsolved cases in Utah history. Three-year-old Rachael was kidnapped in front of her brothers on August 26, 1982 but the abductor has never been caught.

"It's been 25 years since we lost our baby. We appeal to the public to help us solve this case and finally bring justice to Rachael," says Elaine Runyan-Simmons, Rachael's mother.

Reward: Rachael's parents hope the reward----which has swelled to more than $53,000---will help persuade someone to do the right thing and tell police what happened. The money will be given to anyone who provides evidence leading to a conviction.

"We believe a small circle of people actually know who kidnapped and killed our daughter," says Jeff Runyan, Rachael's father.

Sunset Police Chief Ken Eborn says fresh eyes and new technology will
push the investigation forward but he is still counting on someone having the courage and compassion to speak up about the case. "We know the perpetrator or perpetrators are still out there and we believe they may have talked to someone," says Chief Eborn

http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/PrRel/praugust262007.htm

Links to local news coverage of the story...
http://real.ksl.com/video/slc/sid_video/1699603.ram
http://www.abc4.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=74942@video.ktvx.com&navCatId=8
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6728419?source=rss

The Rachel Runyan story was the most gut-wrenching thing I ever saw on Unsolved Mysteries. I never thought the case could be solved. It gives me hope to know that Rachel's parents and police seem to have a good idea of who killed Rachel. You could tell that Rachel's father just wanted to go after this guy in New Mexico who he believes killed his daughter. Hopefully new technology will bring Rachel's killer to justice.

Rachel's parents and police seem to have a good idea of who killed Rachel.

While I hope for the best situation for them in this case, I don't believe that for a second.

While I hope for the best situation for them in this case, I don't believe that for a second.


It's been 25 yrs....I must agree w/ Dislimb. Surely, something would have been done by now! Rest in Peace Rachel.....

Yeah, it seems kind of strange that they'd have a suspect for 25 years and sit on it... I don't know.

I'd be willing to bet that almost every case UM ever did has at least one good suspect, but whether it is legit or not really depends.

Obviously someone knows who did this (or "knew" in case that person is deceased). Look at how many UM cases have very strong suspects but never see anyone prosecuted.

I guess I can understand why the family thinks they have an idea of who did it or that there are people who know, but after 25 years it's probably not likely any of them will talk.

Just really sad that the poor girl was murdered and no justice can be found.

Yeah, it seems kind of strange that they'd have a suspect for 25 years and sit on it... I don't know.

Exactly. Let's just say person X went out and killed someone tonight. If person X gets away with it now and then gets caught 25 years later, person X still basically got away with it regardless. See what I mean, or is my twisted logic just too effed up? :crazy:

This case is on the verge of being solved. The man believed to be Rachel's killer is a former inmate living in New Mexico, and cops have a whopping amount of circumstantial evidence against him. Cops still need witnesses or other physical evidence to bring charges against him, and it won't be easy, since the suspect has threatened potential witnesses. Police have stepped up efforts in this case, and I believe they even exhumed Rachel's body. They now have a $53,000 reward on the table.

When this crime was committed, they did not have the technology we have now.

The may now be able to do DNA tests, handwriting tests, regression tests, etc.. that could never have been done.

That is why I am very optimistic that this case will be solved.

I also truly believe that the resurrection of UM on a certain umentionable website, which can be accesed by prisoners with web privaleges, may have prompted this case.

I would not be surprised that a few inmates, law enforcement people do surf the web for UM cases just for fun.

Even Spike deserves some credit.

just saw this case


so no update eh?

just saw this case


so no update eh?

As far as I know, there has been none. Unless someone else has anything.

Some interesting points to consider, though.The suspect in the composite is african-american.

1. While Utah does have an african-american population, it is not a large one. I do find it hard to believe that such a suspect could not be found.

2. Makes you wonder if the composite is real or not. Or if the suspect is another ethnic group that was mis-identified. An Indian person, perhaps.

3. Makes me think that this personis not local. Which would fit into the snuff film theory.

Another thing I wonder about is whether the Mormon religion has something to do with this case. Directly or indirectly. Anyone know if Rachel was part fo the Church of LDS?

What can DNA do to help now when its already 25 years, its not 25 hours or days u know?

I am always skeptical especially when cases go into the decades whether if they will ever be solved.

What can DNA do to help now when its already 25 years, its not 25 hours or days u know?

Umm...It could catch the killer who very much be alive today?:rolleyes:


I am always skeptical especially when cases go into the decades whether if they will ever be solved.

1. There have been several cases much older that have been solved. Way back in the 80s and 90s..cold case squads were practically unheard of. Now nearly every police department has a unit specialised in cold cas investigation. Not to mention the vast number of technology advancements that we have now as opposed to 25 years ago.

2. Just cause a suspect is dead, does not mean that they can't match DNA or pin a case to him. It just means they can't convict. But it would certainly clear the case.

3,You seem to be forgetting a very important point. Her killer could still be active and doing this to other little girls. DNA from this case may be able to match to a newer case.

4. You do realize that every single case on UM is technically a cold case?

How come Dislimb was banned?