Father of Spanish Fork girl who disappeared in 1995 publishes new book

SALT LAKE CITY – A new book raises awareness of the disappearance and murder of Spanish Fork teenager Kiplyn Davis nearly 30 years ago.

The book, titled “When an Angel Leaves Your Life,” was written by Kiplyn’s father, Richard Davis.

“I’ve been wanting to write it for a long time,” Davis said. “I thought it was time to let people know what happened… and how Kiplyn’s disappearance changed my life.”

The 15-year-old teenager was last seen in class at Spanish Fork High School on May 2, 1995.

Over the years, several people have been charged with crimes related to her death, but have not revealed where her body is believed to have been buried.

According to the Department of Public Safety’s cold case database, Timmy Brent Olsen pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2011, claiming he saw “another person hit Kiplyn on the head with a rock and helped him move her body, but refused to give the other person’s name.”

Olsen’s prison sentence ends on February 10, 2026.

According to KSL journalist Pat Reavy, four other people – David Rucker Leifson, Christopher Neal Jeppson, Scott Brunson and Garry Blackmore – were indicted in federal court in 2005. The charges were “for perjury before a grand jury and lying to a federal agent about comments about moving a girl’s body and creating false alibis.”

“There will never be complete closure, we will always miss her,” said Tamara Davis, Kiplyn’s mother.

“It was really hard, it was hard while I was writing it. I sat there and cried and laughed,” said Richard Davis.

The cover of a recently released book titled “When an Angel Leaves Your Life” by the father of a Spanish Fork teenager who disappeared and was killed in 1995. (KSL TV)

In this book, Richard Davis, assisted by his wife Tamara Davis, provides an intimate insight into the life of their 15-year-old daughter and her radiant personality.

“She was vibrant and loved life and wanted to be the center of attention. She was a friend to everyone,” said Richard Davis.

In the book, Richard Davis also tells how Kiplyn’s disappearance helped him find his faith.

“I didn’t care about God and I put him out of my life … because it hurt me, but her death and my oldest daughter’s wedding really changed the way I thought and felt,” Richard Davis said. “And it changed me. That’s what the book is about.”

Then there are the difficult chapters describing Kiplyn’s disappearance from school, the men who eventually emerged as suspects in her murder, and, most difficult of all, the fact that to this day, the whereabouts of her body are unknown.

“It’s upsetting to have to wonder what happened to her and where she is,” Tamara Davis said.

“We don’t want revenge. All I want is Kiplyn’s body back. That’s all we ever wanted,” Richard Davis said.

That’s why the Davises left the light on their porch all these years, for the day they found her.

In the book’s final chapter, Richard Davis writes that he wishes he had “an ending to this book,” while his family clings to the hope of one day finding closure with the discovery of Kiplyn’s body.

“In my book, I ask these victims, these three boys, to come forward and tell us where Kiplyn is. I will be their biggest advocate,” said Richard Davis.

All proceeds from the book sales will go to a scholarship fund in Kiplyn’s honor at Spanish Fork High School. According to Richard Davis, 39 scholarships have been awarded over the years.

“We hope it will continue even though we are no longer here,” said Richard Davis.

The Davises also expressed their gratitude to the Spanish Fork community, law enforcement, prosecutors and friends who have supported them over the years.