The death of a young Texas mother of four, who was found hanging from a dock, is being reinvestigated as a homicide after it was originally ruled a suicide.
The body of League City resident Giselle Tapia-Salazar was discovered hanging from a rope near the boat docked at the city’s marina where she and her boyfriend lived on May 31.
After further inspection, investigators now believe the 30-year-old woman’s body was positioned in a manner that made it appear as if she had committed suicide, and that the suspect faked his suicide. Police have also identified two persons of interest in the case.
Her body was discovered by her neighbor, Christian Allen, who found Tapia Salazar half submerged in the water. He pointed out that one of her arms was twisted in an unusual position.
“Due to the position of his arm, we believe he likely passed away elsewhere,” League City Police Lt. Eric Cox told KHOU. “Her rigor mortis set in and then when they moved her, her arms stayed in that position.”
Giselle Tapia-Salazar’s death was originally ruled a suicide after her body was discovered hanging from a rope near the boat she and her boyfriend were living on on May 31.
After further inspection, investigators believe the 30-year-old woman’s body was hanging from the dock in a manner that made it appear as if she had committed suicide, and that the suspect faked his suicide.
Allen told the local CBS affiliate Khou that he never believed that the victim took his own life and added that the cause was probably foul play.
“I didn’t believe the whole suicide thing. “I want them to be caught because my kids are here and I don’t want to live near a killer,” Allen said.
The victim’s sister, Esperanza Alegría, said she also did not believe her death was a suicide.
“I just want everyone to know that my sister did not do this to herself,” she told the local ABC affiliate. KTRK.
‘She didn’t commit suicide. We just want justice for her. “We want whoever is responsible, who did this to my sister, we want them to be charged for what they did to her.”
The victim’s body was discovered by his neighbor, Christian Allen, who found Tapia Salazar half submerged in the water. He pointed out that one of his arms was twisted in an unusual position.
Tapia-Salazar was a mother of four and a GoFundMe was created to cover funeral expenses and help raise money to support her surviving children.
According to police, nearby security cameras had been turned off or turned in a different direction during the time of the victim’s death.
Tapia-Salazar’s boyfriend, James Hart, vehemently denied involvement in his girlfriend’s death. Police said Hart was devastated to hear the news and initially refused to leave the boat to see for himself.
“This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me,” he said.
“It feels like a nightmare you can’t wake up from. I had nothing to do with it and never would. She loved Giselle more than anything in the world. We were together 24/7. I want justice for Giselle and me.
The victim’s sister, Esperanza Alegría, said she also did not believe her death was a suicide.
Police have also identified two persons of interest in the case.
The last time Hart said he saw his girlfriend was when she left her room to go to the bathroom, but never returned.
TO GoFundMe It has been made by Tapia Salazar’s brother, Nathan Paz, to cover funeral expenses and help raise money to support his children.
“Giselle was the most charismatic person you would ever meet, sharing a smile and making friends with everyone she crossed paths with,” he wrote on the page.
“Giselle always looked for the best in people, even when they didn’t deserve her kindness.”