The death of a young Texas mother of four, who was found hanging from a dock, is being reinvestigated as a homicide after originally being 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’s body was positioned to appear as if she committed suicide, and that the suspect staged her suicide. Police have also identified two people who may be 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 into an unusual position.
“Because of the position of her arm, we believe she likely died somewhere else,” League City police Lt. Eric Cox told KHOU. ‘Rigor mortis set in and when she was moved 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 where she and her boyfriend lived on May 31.
After further inspection, investigators believe the 30-year-old’s body was hanging from the dock in such a way that it appeared she had committed suicide, and that the suspect staged her suicide.
Allen told the local CBS affiliate I LOVE that he never believed the victim had committed suicide, adding that foul play was likely the cause.
“I didn’t buy the whole suicide thing. I want them to get them because my kids are here, and I don’t want to live near a murderer,” Allen said.
The victim’s sister, Esperanza Alegria, said she also did not believe her death was a suicide.
“I just want everyone to know that my sister didn’t 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, to be charged for what they did to her.”
The victim’s 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 into an unusual position.
Tapia-Salazar was a mother of four and a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to cover funeral costs and raise money to support her surviving children
Police said nearby security cameras were turned off or turned in a different direction during the victim’s death.
Tapia-Salazar’s boyfriend, James Hart, vehemently denied involvement in his girlfriend’s death. Police said Hart was devastated when he heard the news, and initially refused to get out of their boat to see for himself.
“This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me,” he said.
‘It feels like a nightmare from which you can’t wake up. I had nothing to do with it and never would. I loved Giselle more than anything in the world. We were together 24/7. I want justice for Giselle and for myself.”
The victim’s sister, Esperanza Alegria, said she also did not believe her death was a suicide
Police have also identified two people who may be of interest in the case
The last time Hart said he saw his girlfriend was when she left their bedroom to go to the bathroom, but she never returned.
a GoFundMe was created by Tapia Salazar’s brother, Nathan Paz, to cover funeral costs and raise money to support her children.
“Giselle was the most charismatic person you could ever meet, who shared a smile and became a friend to everyone she encountered,” he wrote on the page.
“Giselle always looked for the best in people, even when they didn’t deserve her kindness.”