Friends and family members gathered and released balloons and ribbons at the same Sunset, Utah, park where 3-year-old Rachael Runyan was kidnapped and later murdered on August 26, 1982. “She was just so precious,” Elaine Runyan said of her slain daughter. “She just touched everybody’s heart.” Utah initially named its child abduction advisory the Rachael Alert in 2002. “There are children who are alive today because of Rachael,” Sunset Police Chief Ken Eborn said. The alert’s name was changed to the AMBER Alert after it was first used for the abduction of Elizabeth Smart. “I had no idea what the alert was at the time,” said Ed Smart, Elizabeth’s father, who spoke at the event on August 25, 2018.

Elaine Runyan shared shovels and stories with local dignitaries for a groundbreaking ceremony in Sunset, Utah, on May 17, 2016, to honor her daughter Rachael Runyan, who was abducted and murdered by a stranger in the very same park on August 26, 1982. Rachael was just 3 years old.

A $50,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can help solve Rachael's murder. “It has been nearly 34 years since we lost our baby,” said Runyan. “We appeal to the public to help us solve this case and finally bring justice to Rachael.” The memorial will recognize what happened to Rachael and all missing children. A motorcycle ride, kids fair and ribbon cutting was also held at the groundbreaking event to raise funds for the memorial and the AMBER Alert program.