In a disquieting revelation, Phoenix Police have linked a man, already in custody for a violent sexual assault, to the murder of a woman in the same alleyway over a year earlier. Luis Gustavo Prudente Tapia, 24, faces multiple felony charges including attempted second-degree murder and sexual assault, among others. The connection was made when the suspect’s DNA matched evidence from the previous homicide case of 64-year-old Margie New, reported FOX 10 Phoenix.
According to police reports, officers found New unresponsive with a head injury on June 13, 2024, in a Phoenix alley near 46th and Oak Streets. Despite being rushed to hospital, she succumbed to her injuries a week later. It was not until another brutal crime, that occurred in the same vicinity on August 14, 2025, was Tapia arrested for the assault of a woman in her mid-30s. The critical breakthrough in both cases came when Tapia's DNA, obtained after the recent assault, was matched to evidence collected at the scene of New's murder.
Forensic advancements and community vigilance have been highlighted as instrumental in apprehending the suspect. "Our crime scene response technicians processed evidence [and] were able to identify a male DNA profile; however, when it was entered into CODIS, there was no match," Commander Gabe Lopez of the Violent Crimes Bureau explained to FOX 10 Phoenix. Over a year later, the case saw a break when fresh DNA evidence aligned with that of the unsolved murder, establishing a solid link between the two crimes.
A community member's vigilance was key to the identification of Tapia. Phoenix Police received a crucial tip about Tapia's roommate exhibiting suspicious behavior on the night of the recent sexual assault. "That tip really tipped the balance on how we ended up finding this particular suspect," Steve Martos, a commander with the Phoenix Police Department, lauded community involvement in an interview with AZFamily. This fusion of forensic diligence and community engagement underlines a significant stride in law enforcement's endeavor to ensure justice and prevent future victimization.
With new charges in connection to New's death forthcoming, the Phoenix Police Department credits the shared success of the cases to both professional investigations and community engagement. "The success of these cases is shared with our community, who spoke up against a violent offender who was victimizing members of our community," the police department stated, recognizing the collective efforts that led to the unraveling of these cases and the apprehension of the suspect.
