Samantha Runnion
Encyclopedia
Samantha Bree Runnion was an American
murder victim. She was born in Massachusetts and was a resident of Stanton, California
.
and strangled by a man who lured her from her front yard by telling her he had lost his dog. Her body was found the next day by a hiker in Cleveland National Forest
, 50 miles north of Stanton. The autopsy
revealed that she died from compression. A sample of the kidnapper's DNA
was found under her fingernail.
The suspect, a Lake Elsinore, California
, man named Alejandro Avila, was convicted of 1st degree murder with special circumstances in May 2005. His DNA was found on Samantha's body, and her DNA was found in his car. He was arrested three days after the abduction. Avila had previously been to the condominium complex where Samantha lived, because his ex-girlfriend resided there and he had been previously acquitted of molesting her daughter and niece. On May 16, 2005, the jury recommended he receive the death penalty. On July 22, 2005, Avila was formally sentenced to death.
was established in her memory. The Joyful Child Foundation—In Memory of Samantha Runnion (TJCF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 after the abduction, molestation and murder of five-year-old Samantha Runnion. TJCF is dedicated to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and abduction while facilitating proactive community organizing to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the national movement to stop violent sexual crimes against children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
murder victim. She was born in Massachusetts and was a resident of Stanton, California
Stanton, California
Stanton is a city located in western Orange County, California. The population was 38,186 at the 2010 census, up from 37,403 at the 2000 census. Like most of Orange County, it is more politically conservative compared to the rest of the state. The City was incorporated in 1956 and operates under...
.
Kidnapping and murder
Samantha was kidnapped, sexually abusedChild sexual abuse
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities , indecent exposure with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to...
and strangled by a man who lured her from her front yard by telling her he had lost his dog. Her body was found the next day by a hiker in Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres , mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest. It is the southernmost National forest of California. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a government agency within...
, 50 miles north of Stanton. The autopsy
Autopsy
An autopsy—also known as a post-mortem examination, necropsy , autopsia cadaverum, or obduction—is a highly specialized surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse to determine the cause and manner of death and to evaluate any disease or injury that may be present...
revealed that she died from compression. A sample of the kidnapper's DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
was found under her fingernail.
The suspect, a Lake Elsinore, California
Lake Elsinore, California
For the lake see Lake Elsinore.Lake Elsinore or LE is a city in western Riverside County, California. The population was 51,821 at the 2010 census...
, man named Alejandro Avila, was convicted of 1st degree murder with special circumstances in May 2005. His DNA was found on Samantha's body, and her DNA was found in his car. He was arrested three days after the abduction. Avila had previously been to the condominium complex where Samantha lived, because his ex-girlfriend resided there and he had been previously acquitted of molesting her daughter and niece. On May 16, 2005, the jury recommended he receive the death penalty. On July 22, 2005, Avila was formally sentenced to death.
Joyful Child Foundation
The Joyful Child FoundationJoyful Child Foundation
The Joyful Child Foundation was established in 2002 by the Runnion family after the sexual assault and murder of five-year-old Samantha Runnion in 2002. Its first initiative was "Samantha's Pride" which aims to facilitate the establishment of child watch programs in communities across the US...
was established in her memory. The Joyful Child Foundation—In Memory of Samantha Runnion (TJCF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2002 after the abduction, molestation and murder of five-year-old Samantha Runnion. TJCF is dedicated to raising awareness about child sexual abuse and abduction while facilitating proactive community organizing to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the national movement to stop violent sexual crimes against children.