Christopher Conley Tapp

Christopher was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on July 11, 1976, and slipped away from this world on Sunday, November 5, 2023. He passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada with his family and close friends by his side. Christopher is survived by his mother, Vera Tapp, and his two dogs, Joker and Chip. He now joins his father, Payton Conley Tapp Jr., in his eternal resting place.

In his early years, Chris enjoyed playing basketball, baseball, and wrestling. He later went to Skyline High School. After high school, Chris was falsely accused of a brutal crime that he did not commit and served 20 years in prison. In 2019, with the help of his attorney, John Thomas, Carol Dodge, and Judges for Justice founder Michael J. Heavey, both the Idaho and New York Innocence Project, along with a few other team members, he was finally exonerated from all charges and set free.

After Chris was released from prison, he worked hard to integrate himself back into society. He immediately began advocating for the wrongfully convicted. He lobbied for Idaho and Oregon legislators to create a law to help the wrongfully convicted receive compensation. Christopher spent a lot of time traveling around the world speaking at colleges and other organizations. Telling his story and advocating being the voice for others who were wrongfully convicted. Chris was the first person in known history to be exonerated by using “Genetic Geneology” research, while doing so Chris’s case opened the door for many other unsolved murder cases to be solved by using Genetic Geneology.

Christopher loved meeting new people and seeing the world. He has traveled to Tennessee, Washington DC, Texas, Alabama, Las Vegas Nevada, New York City, Montana, and Utah. Chris got to experience some of his biggest dreams such as getting released from prison, being exonerated, hugging his mother, creating compensation laws for the wrongfully convicted, going to a live NFL game, watching a live WWE fight, seeing Metallica & Kiss in Concert, getting involved in racing and so much more.

Anyone who knew Chris knew he would give the shirt off his back if it was needed. He was a kind, caring, gentle, funny, handsome big teddy bear and will be missed by so many.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at Coltrin Mortuary, 2100 First Street, Idaho Falls. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at Ririe Shelton Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.coltrinmortuary.com.