BREAKING UPDATE: ALLEGED KILLER CHARGED WITH THE 2003 MURDER OF REBECCA PARK

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When a medical student and military reserve officer disappears during a run through a Philadelphia park, foul play is immediately suspected. The discovery of her body incriminates a deadly serial offender who is finally identified and charged in this special breaking update episode of Last Seen Alive.

We originally aired an episode on Rebecca’s unsolved murder in 2020. In December of 2023, Philadelphia police identified Elias Diaz, age 46, as Rebecca’s alleged killer. He was charged with her murder–and an assortment of related charges–on December 20th, 2023 (see charges listed on court document below). Bail was denied. He has also been charged in relation to two other attacks committed in November of 2023. The total number of his victims isn’t known for sure, and Philadelphia Police are seeking any information that could lead to additional charges against Diaz.

Rebecca Park is remembered by her friends, family and co-workers for her sunny attitude, organized nature and boundless energy. She was always moving forward, and excelled in her medical studies. She loved animals, science and medicine, and valued family and friends.
Pictured: composite images of the suspect in Rebecca’s murder (based on DNA) at different ages.
Elias Diaz was charged in December of 2023 with Rebecca’s murder, which occurred in 2003.

Sources used to research this episode:

Suspect in Pennypack Trail Slashings Charged with 2003 Fairmount Park Rape and Murder (NBC10 Staff / NBC10 Philadelphia)

Man Charged in 20-Year-Old Philadelphia Cold Case Killing and Rape After DNA Link, Officials Say (Celina Tebor and Danny Freeman / CNN)

Elias Diaz charged with 2003 Philadelphia cold case murder of Rebecca Park (Alexandra Simon, Aliza Shuler and Joe Holden / CBS News Philadelphia)

Runner’s Life Was Rife with Promise, Rebecca Park’s Friends and Family Recall Her Strength, Energy (Natalie Pompilio / Philadelphia Enquirer)

Body Identified as Missing Student in Philadelphia (Los Angeles Times)

Literally the Calvary: Meet the Philadelphia Police Department’s Mounted Cops (Billy Penn)

Running While Female (Runner’s World / Michelle Hamilton)

FBI, Police Continue Search for Fairmount Park Rapist 16 Years Later (NBC Philadelphia)

DNA Tool May Help in Fairmount Park Rapist Cold Case (ABC6)

Search Continues for Fairmount Park Rapist (Northeast Times / William Kenny)

If you have any information that could lead to additional charges against Diaz, please call 215-686-8477 to report what you know to Philadelphia Police.

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