The person at the center of this case
Santana Acosta
Homicide · Open
9 years waiting · since 2016
VICTIM - SANTANA ACOSTA - PHOENIX, ARIZONA
Justice for Santana Acosta — the trail went cold in 2016, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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suspect
Lead #1Who had contact with Acosta in the days or hours before his death, given his involvement in drug dealing and gambling?
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evidence
Lead #2What evidence was recovered from the canal or the surrounding area that could identify the perpetrator?
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witness
Lead #3Were there any witnesses in the area of 6700 West Dobbins Road on December 12, 2016, who may have seen suspicious activity or vehicles?
On December 12, 2016, the body of Santana Acosta was discovered in a Salt River Project canal near 6700 West Dobbins Road in Phoenix, Arizona, ruled a homicide. Acosta was known to be involved in drug use and sales, gambling, and lived a transient lifestyle, which may be relevant to the circumstances of his death. Investigators continue to seek public information that could help identify who was responsible for his death and bring closure to this case.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Did Acosta's lifestyle as a transient and involvement in drugs or gambling create a motive for his murder?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
December 12, 2016 Phoenix, Arizona On Monday, December 12, 2016, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Phoenix police responded to the area of 6700 West Dobbins Road and located the body of Santana Acosta in a canal. (The Salt River Project canal/ditch.) Acosta was the apparent victim of a homicide.
Investigators are seeking information from the public to assist in this ongoing investigation. Remarks: Acosta was a drug user and seller, a gambler, and a transient or "drifter."
Timeline of Events
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2016-12-12
14:00Body discovered in canal
Phoenix police responded to the area of 6700 West Dobbins Road and located the body of Santana Acosta in a Salt River Project canal. The victim was determined to be a homicide victim.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:December 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:September 9, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:December 12, 2016 at 2:00 PM
Last Updated:September 9, 2026