28 year old Regin Tapiato has pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the death of Jakarah Lopez-Moore, a Rochester teen who vanished last summer.
16 year old Jakarah Lopez-Moore was last seen in Rochester, New York on August 25, 2023.
Jakarah was found deceased in the woods behind 5 Vanguard Parkway on October 14, 2023. Her cause of death was determined to be homicide by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
On February 23, 2024, Rochester police announced that 27 year old Regin Tapiato had been arrested for the killing of Jakarah Lopez-Moore.
The complaint states that Tapiato took Jakarah into the woods on August 27 and shot her in the head. He was charged with second degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.
Tapiato will be sentenced to 20 years in prison on November 4, 2024, according to the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office.
The Disappearance of Jakarah Lopez-Moore
16 year old Jakarah Lopez-Moore was last seen in Rochester, New York on August 25, 2023. She disappeared after leaving home and hasn’t been heard from since.
She vanished after leaving her home on Weld Street in Rochester, New York, telling her grandmother she would be right back. Her family says it’s unusual for her to leave without contacting anyone.
Investigation
Jakarah’s phone was turned off less than 24 hours after she disappeared. According to her family, her phone last pinged at Clinton and Andrews Streets.
Authorities believe she frequently visits the area of Dewey Avenue and Reynolds Street.
Found Deceased
Jakarah Lopez-Moore was found deceased in the woods behind 5 Vanguard Parkway on October 14, 2023.
Her cause of death was determined to be homicide by the Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Authorities don’t know how long Lopez-Moore’s body was in the woods, but it was “in a state of decomposition in which a scientific identification was required.” No further details have been released.
Arrest Made in Jakarah’s Murder
On February 23, 2024, Rochester police announced that 27 year old Regin Tapiato had been arrested for the killing of Jakarah Lopez-Moore.
The complaint states that Tapiato took Jakarah into the woods on August 27 and shot her in the head. He has been charged with murder in the second degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
He was transported to the Monroe County Jail and is expected to be arraigned on February 24, 2024.
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