A playground in Sunset will be named in honor of Rachael Marie Runyan, the young girl who was kidnapped and killed 34 years ago, according to a decision intended to memorialize the victim of the 1982 cold case. The move honors Runyan, who was abducted from a local park in Davis County on August 26, 1982.
A Decades-Old Cold Case
The decision to name the playground after Runyan comes decades after the unsolved homicide that shook the Sunset community. Runyan, who was born on June 23, 1979, was last seen on August 6, 1982, before her abduction from a park in Sunset.
Details of the Abduction
According to records from the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification, Runyan was kidnapped at approximately 12:30 p.m. on August 26, 1982. Her assailant was described as an African American male, between 25 and 35 years old, standing 6 feet tall with a slender to medium build and a mustache. The vehicle used in the kidnapping was described as a mid-size blue car that may have had wood grain on the sides.
The Search for Justice
The investigation into Runyan's death lasted several weeks before her body was discovered. On September 19, 1982, her remains were found in a remote area of Morgan, Utah. Despite the passage of decades, the Sunset Police Department has not identified a suspect in the homicide, and the case remains classified as an unsolved homicide.
Community Law Enforcement
The Sunset Police Department continues to seek information regarding the case. The department, which states its mission is to enhance the quality of life in the community and reduce fear, maintains a hotline for tips related to the unsolved crime. The Bureau of Criminal Identification provides a specific tip hotline at 833-DPS-SAFE (833-377-7233) for anyone with information regarding the death of Rachael Marie Runyan.
Ongoing Investigation
The Sunset Police Department remains committed to its mission of preserving the peace and providing a safe environment for all citizens and businesses within the community. Information regarding the case is still being accepted by investigators as they work to resolve the 1982 homicide.
