Samantha Runyon

Samantha Runyon (1996-2002) was kidnapped, sexually abused and killed by a man who allegedly lured her from her front yard by telling her he had lost his dog.

Her body was found the following day by a couple who were jogging. That same day, police apprehended a suspect.

A man named Alejandro Avila was arrested for the crime. As of early December 2003 his trial was on-going.

Samantha, a resident of Orange County, California, was about to turn six when she died.

See also: Polly Klaas, Megan Kanka, Laura Kate Smither