April Misenhimer

Do you know who murdered 21 year old April Misenhimer in 2003?
On a cold Friday in Santa Rosa, California, the life of a young woman ended violently and without witness. April Misenhimer, a 21-year-old Caucasian woman, was found dead on January 17, 2003, inside the bathroom of a motel room she had occupied. Her death was not from natural causes; an autopsy would later confirm she had been strangled, turning her final moments into a homicide investigation that has now spanned more than two decades.

The discovery was made by a motel housekeeper who entered the room to perform her daily duties, only to be met with a scene of tragedy. April was last seen alive at the motel, and investigators with the Santa Rosa Police Department believe she was killed shortly after her last sighting. Police reports indicated that April was involved in prostitution and had gone to the motel to meet a man. Who this man was, and what transpired in the moments leading up to her death, remain central and unanswered questions in the case.

The investigation into April's murder was launched immediately by the Santa Rosa Police Department. Detectives processed the motel room for evidence, seeking any clue that might point to the person responsible for ending a young life. However, the initial investigation did not yield a suspect, and as days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, the case grew cold. No arrests have ever been made, and no persons of interest have ever been publicly named in connection with the crime.

Over the years, the Santa Rosa Police Department has continued to highlight April Misenhimer’s case, hoping to generate new leads that might finally break the silence surrounding her death. In a video released to the public, the department reiterated its commitment to finding justice for April, emphasizing that even "cold" cases are never forgotten. They remain dedicated to the relentless pursuit of truth for victims and their families. The lack of resolution has left a permanent void for those who knew and loved April.

While the circumstances of her death are a matter of public record, the story of April's life remains largely private. Details about her family, her interests, and her personality are not widely known, leaving a portrait of her that is tragically incomplete, defined more by her final moments than by the 21 years of life that preceded them. Friends and family have been left to grieve in private, holding onto memories that the public has never been privy to.

As of October 2023, the murder of April Misenhimer is still an active, unsolved case with the Santa Rosa Police Department. Detectives believe that someone, somewhere holds the missing piece of information that could solve the crime. The passage of time can sometimes loosen tongues and loyalties, and investigators hope that a new tip might emerge, providing the breakthrough they have been seeking for years. The department continues to urge anyone with even the smallest detail about the case to come forward.

The Santa Rosa Police Department is asking for the public's help to bring closure to this long-unsolved homicide. Anyone with information regarding the death of April Misenhimer is encouraged to call detectives at 707-543-3590. The tip, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could be the key to delivering justice for April and providing long-awaited answers to a family still waiting for peace.