On her 32nd birthday, Margaret Elaine Diaz vanished from her own birthday party — the case remains unsolved.
Tacoma, WA – July 4 marked the 35th anniversary of the disappearance of Margaret Elaine Diaz, a 32-year-old woman from Tacoma, Washington, who was last seen on July 4, 1988. Despite ongoing efforts by law enforcement and her family, the case remains open and unresolved.
Diaz, whose maiden name was Cohen and who at one time used the surname Riley, was described as biracial (African-American and Caucasian), approximately 5 ft 5 in tall and weighing about 125 lbs at the time. She had black or dark brown hair and green eyes.
According to the available information, Diaz was seen by her family on the evening of July 4 during her birthday celebration in Tacoma’s Hilltop district. After that, she has never been heard from again. The departure from the party and her absence from contact with her three children were deemed uncharacteristic.
Authorities say that Diaz was leading what has been described as a “high-risk lifestyle” at the time of her disappearance, and she was known to have had contacts in the Hilltop area.
The investigating agency is the King County Sheriff’s Office for the state of Washington, which may be contacted at 206-205-7810 for anyone with information.
Family members and investigators continue to appeal for information. Even after decades have passed, any tip—no matter how small—could be critical in finally resolving the case, providing closure to her children and loved ones.
What You Can Do:
- If you were in Tacoma’s Hilltop area around July 4, 1988, and recall seeing or hearing anything unusual, please come forward.
- If you have any photographic records, letters, or other documents that might relate to Diaz’s last known whereabouts or social circle, consider reaching out to the King County Sheriff’s Office.
- Even anonymous tips can provide valuable leads to investigators.
As the years pass, the urgency remains. The Diaz family continues to hope that someone, somewhere, holds a vital piece of the puzzle. With modern investigative tools and renewed public interest, there remains a chance that this case will one day yield answers.
