The Abduction & Murder of Little Miss Sunset

Sunset, Utah, is often touted as a “wonderful and quiet place to love,” although like many other small towns of a few thousand people, has a secret dark side. Despite Sunset being the kind of place where everyone knows one another, where the kids can play in the front yard and gunshots don't ring off day and night, one family learned that horrible people live in small towns, too.

The Runyan family relocated to Sunset from Tennessee just before the birth of their third child, a daughter named Rachael. The family enjoyed their quiet, modest life in Sunset for many years.

Rachael Runyan Abducted

On August 26, 1982, the town of Sunset became a place of sadness and fear as news of the abduction of 3-year-old Rachael Runyan made its way around to the townsfolk. Rachael was a beautiful, quiet little girl who was crowned beauty queen and named “Little Miss Sunset '' the year before.

Rachel and her two older brothers ran across the street to the school playground to play while their mom watched from the kitchen while preparing dinner. The playground was only about 15 feet away from the family’s home and Mrs. Runyan had a clear view of her kids. She spoke to them several times as they played.

When Mrs. Runyan called the kids in for lunch, Rachael did not come inside with 10-year-old Justin and Nathan. Asked where Rachael was, Justin told his mother a terrifying story: a man had taken Rachael.

A Stranger Approaches the Kids

The man came up to the children as they played on the playground. He told Rachael he had candy in his car, then asked if she liked bubble gum ice cream. She replied that she did and the man told her he had some in the car. The brothers knew stranger danger and told Rachael she could not go with the man.

Hearing this, the man grabbed Rachael and tossed her over his shoulder. As Rachael screamed, kicked, and tried to get away, the man ran with her to his car and drove away.

The Search for Rachael

Mrs. Runyan called the police and then began a frantic search for Rachael around the neighborhood. She asked many people if they had seen her daughter. The kids described the man who took Rachael as having a medium-built. He was African American, stood approximately 6’ tall, and was between 30 -25 years old.

When police learned that Rachael had been abducted, they set up a roadblock hoping to find the man. They were unsuccessful.

There was no CCTV footage at the school or playground so nothing was recorded. Police relied on witness statements to help them with the case. Several kids reported the same man came up to them that day, offering candy and ice cream if they walked back to the car with him.

Family Find Rachael’s Naked Body

On September 19, 1980, Rachael’s naked body was found floating on the edge of a stream in Mountain Green, Utah, located about 50 miles from Sunset. Her hand had been bound behind her back. Due to the advanced level of decomposition, the coroner could not determine the exact cause of death. He could not, however, rule out smothering as a possible cause of death.

Two Suspects Named, No Arrests Made

Rachael Runyon’s killer has not been found more than 40 years after her murder. DNA collected from items found near Rachael’s body was tested for DNA in 2007 but thus far, has not helped track down the killer. In 2012, police announced they have two potential suspects but so far, no arrests have been made.

Case Aftermath

The “Rachael Alert” child abduction system was implemented in Utah after Rachael’s murder. It's designed to alert area residents of missing kids who are in danger. The AMBER alert has since replaced the Rachael alert.

The abduction and murder were also a factor in the passage of the Missing Children’s Act of 1983. In 2017, Utah Legislators signed into effect the Rachael Runyan Missing and Exploited Children's Day, a day to bring public awareness of missing and exploited children in Utah.