Phoenix police detectives have definitively linked a recently arrested sexual assault suspect, Luis Tapia, to a homicide which took place one year ago in the same location as the sexual assault.
Multiple investigative bureaus worked collaboratively to identify and arrest the suspect responsible for both the homicide and sexual assault.
According to the Phoenix Police Department, on June 13, 2024, officers were called to an emergency radio call of an unknown trouble in an alley west of 2500 North 46th Street. When officers arrived, they found an unresponsive woman on the ground, suffering from a head injury. The fire department responded and rushed the woman to the hospital. She received treatment for nearly a week and died from her injuries on June 21, 2024. She was identified as 64-year-old Margie New.
As part of the investigation, investigators collected biological evidence from New, which was processed by forensic scientists, resulting in the discovery of a male DNA profile. Initially, that profile was entered into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), but no DNA profile match was found.
In August 2025, a brutal sexual assault occurred just a few yards south in that same alley where New was found. Investigators collected evidence in that investigation which also produced a male DNA profile. That profile was entered into CODIS, and a match was found. Detectives learned the same suspect was linked to both New’s murder and the sexual assault.
Investigators worked tirelessly by reaching out to the public through our media partners and passing out Silent Witness flyers. Earlier this month, detectives caught a break, when a community member stepped up and provided the tip needed. With that tip, detectives identified the 24-year-old Tapia and took him into custody on September 20, 2025, where he was booked for sexual assault and kidnapping charges. Detectives secured a search warrant and collected Tapia’s DNA.
This week, forensic scientists were able to officially confirm Tapia’s DNA matched those found in New’s case. Additional charges will soon be added to current charges Tapia faces.
The investigations remain active as detectives continue to process the evidence found in these cases.
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