ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department says it’s wrapped up a gruesome cold case nearly a year after a woman went missing.
An Albuquerque woman was kidnapped and murdered in August 2015.
The mother of 29-year-old Tiffany Boyer called police when she hadn’t heard from her daughter for a couple weeks.
“A field officer took an initial report, and it just snowballed from there,” said APD Officer Simon Drobik.
Around the same time, Robert McGuire, known as “Machete Rob,” also disappeared. It was another case that was connected to the first, police say.
“It was just a lot of information to gather in and we had detectives working around the clock,” Officer Drobik said.
Interviews led police to a home near San Mateo and Constitution where they believe Boyer was tied and beat up.
Her killers blamed her for McGuire’s death, believing she falsely accused him of rape and had something to do with his disappearance.
They kept Boyer in a closet, until Stephanie Stepp tried to strangle her, according to police.
When she couldn’t, police say William Paul Alexander killed Boyer with a hammer.
Police also arrested Shawna Cannon and Joshua Taramasco on Wednesday for the kidnapping and murder after finding key pieces of evidence.
“We were able to locate the body after some time,” said Ofc. Drobik.
In November, investigators found Boyer’s remains about 2.5 miles south of Highway 55 in Socorro County.
Police say after the murder, the suspects dumped her body, joking that she would be “coyote food.”
“We actually had our horse-mounted unit covering a lot of distance. It’s the only way we could find the remains because it’s such a remote place,” said Ofc. Drobik.
APD said it took about 3,000 hours to close the case.
“A lot of work went into this. Ms. Boyer’s family now has some closure,” said Ofc. Drobik.
The four suspects are in jail on a no-bond hold with charges including murder, kidnapping, robbery and aggravated battery.
Police say the investigation into McGuire’s disappearance continues to this day.
