On September 9, 1998, 40-year-old Tilda J. Phipps of San Diego was found unresponsive in her red Ford Mustang after the car crashed into the front yard of a residence on Coast Boulevard in La Jolla. Initial assumptions blamed the collision for her injuries, but a subsequent examination revealed a gunshot wound to the head. Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot just before the crash, and investigators concluded she was shot while driving, lost control, and then struck the yard.

Phipps was known in La Jolla for her outgoing personality and good looks; her death shocked the community. The San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit handled the case, but officials found few clues at the scene and the investigation later went cold. There have been no arrests or identified suspects, and investigators have asked the public for tips, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers.

If anyone knew Tilda, saw the Mustang, or has information about the crash or the moments leading up to it, please contact the San Diego Police Department or Crime Stoppers.