Trial Begins for Suspect in 2002 South Hill Murder
Miguel Urbano-Vazquez faces aggravated murder and rape charges for crimes dating back to 2002.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Sex Crimes
The trial for Miguel Urbano-Vazquez is underway in Tacoma regarding the 2002 death of Sharon Van Gilder in South Hill. The defendant is charged with aggravated murder and three counts of rape.
Why it matters
The case highlights the role of cold case forensic breakthroughs in bringing long-standing charges to court. Authorities eventually secured his return to Washington state following an arrest in Mexico.
Miguel Urbano-Vazquez faces one count of aggravated murder and three counts of rape. The trial, which is currently ongoing in Tacoma, is expected to continue for several weeks.
The players
Miguel Urbano-Vazquez
The defendant is standing trial for the 2002 murder of Sharon Van Gilder and three counts of rape.
Sharon Van Gilder
The victim was found dead in South Hill in 2002 before cold case DNA evidence eventually led to the arrest of a suspect.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The agency tracked and arrested the suspect in Mexico in 2023, facilitating his return to the United States.
The details
DNA evidence collected during the investigation linked Urbano-Vazquez to the crimes in 2012, a decade after the initial incident. Following his arrest by the FBI in Chimalhuacan, Mexico, in 2023, he was extradited to face these charges.
Timeline
March 2002: Sharon Van Gilder was found dead in South Hill.
2012: DNA evidence linked the suspect to the crimes.
2023: The FBI arrested the suspect in Chimalhuacan, Mexico.
2025: The suspect returned to Washington for trial proceedings.
December 2026: The trial is projected to potentially conclude.
Legal Context
This case follows the trend of utilizing advanced DNA forensics to resolve long-dormant cases that once appeared unsolvable. These methods are increasingly shifting how cold cases are prosecuted in Pierce County.
The ongoing trial marks the start of a weeks-long judicial process in Pierce County. Residents may observe increased activity around the Tacoma courthouse as the proceedings continue.
The takeaway
The successful extradition and trial demonstrate the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice for victims of cold cases. Families seeking answers after many years may find these forensic developments offer a path toward resolution.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings regarding these offenses, visit the Tacoma Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOMO.
