Who Killed Tilda Phipps? Few Clues in 1998 La Jolla Murder Case

A strange murder in La Jolla has had homicide detectives searching for answers for 15 years.

Tilda Phipps was found slumped over the wheel of a flashy muscle car Sept. 9, 1998. The 40-year-old woman had crashed the rented red Mustang in the front yard of a home in the 500 block of Coast Boulevard. She was unresponsive when officers arrived, and it was thought that Phipps had been injured by in the accident.

Upon closer evaluation, it was discovered that Phipps, well-known in the area for her good looks and flamboyant personality, had been shot in the head. She died a short time later.

Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot, and despite the public nature of her death there seem to be no other clues. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact authorities:

—San Diego Police Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293

—Tipsters can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477

—Information call also be submitted using an Online Tip Form (Crime Stoppers)

About this series:

Scores of cases throughout San Diego County go unsolved by local law enforcement investigators each year. A teen thought to be a runaway has still not come home. A dangerous parolee goes missing. A parent in a custody dispute kidnaps the children. A family member who is homeless and mentally ill disappears off the street. A loved one is murdered and there are few clues or no suspect.

No matter what the circumstances, police and relatives continue to search for those who are missing and wanted. They want the son, sister, or husband home. They want justice for the victims of crimes. They want the bad guys behind bars.

Each day in October, our Patch sites will feature a different person who is missing and wanted in San Diego County. Look at their pictures. Have you seen them? Do you have information that might help them be located, or identify a suspect?

Each profile will have a phone number for you to call to provide information. Let’s help investigators close these cases!