Posted on 05/29/2002 10:17:23 AM PDT by Asmodeus
Having declared Chandra Levy’s death a homicide, Washington, D.C., police announced Wednesday that they are searching for a gold pinkie ring belonging to the former intern.
THE RING did not turn up in her apartment or at the park site where her remains were found, though metal detectors were used in the search. The ring is engraved with cursive letters C and L with small diamond studs on the sides; it was given to Levy by her mother in March 1998. An artist's rendering of the gold pinkie ring given to Chandra Levy by her mother four years ago. In announcing the determination that Levy’s death was a homicide, the medical examiner in the case, Dr. Jonathan Arden, Tuesday cited the circumstances under which Levy’s remains were found in Rock Creek Park. “The circumstances of her disappearance and her body on recovery are indicative that she died through the acts of another person,” he said. But, he added, “there is insufficient evidence to arrive at a conclusion as to a specific injury that caused her death,” he said. Arden said he could not pinpoint the time of death, but that the condition of the remains was “consistent with the time frame in which she disappeared.”
Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey said at a news conference that despite the lack of a specific cause of death, the police and the FBI would vigorously investigate the case.
“Right now we have a lot of people we want to interview or re-interview,” Ramsey said. “We intend to speak with anyone who we think can add value to the investigation.”
ANALYZING HER PROPERTY
Clothing and items found with Levy’s body have been sent to the FBI for analysis, Ramsey said. He refused to discuss any specific items found, or reports that Levy’s body may have been bound.
“We don’t need a manner of death to move forward,” Ramsey said. “We are one of the best police agencies in the world, and we will solve this case, I guarantee you that.”
Arden said that most of Levy’s skeletal remains had been recovered, but would not elaborate on which body parts were missing. Nor would he discuss specifics of the evidence recovered at the scene.
He also said he was not able to determine if she was killed in the remote section of the park where her skull and bones were discovered on Wednesday, or if her body was dumped there.
Police said in advance of the ruling that little soft tissue remained on Levy’s remains, explaining why Arden was unable to determine the cause of death. Pieces of clothing, including a University of Southern California sweatshirt, a sports bra and tennis shoes, also were found at the scene. Investigators also found Levy’s leggings, which were knotted, suggesting she may have been tied up, a person close to the investigation said.
The former intern vanished on or about May 1, 2001, as she prepared to return to California.
REMEMBERING HER SPIRIT
Hours after the medical examiner announced his findings, Levy’s parents and 1,100 mourners gathered in her hometown of Modesto, Calif., on Tuesday to celebrate her life.
The memorial service at the Modesto Center Plaza was open to the public and featured several speakers, although Levy’s parents, Robert and Susan Levy, did not speak.
Rabbi Paul Gordon of Temple Beth Shalom in Modesto presided over the memorial, reading from the book of Ecclesiastes, “To everything there is a season. ... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn.” Gordon dedicated a prayer to Levy, and to other families with missing loved ones.
A bittersweet goodbye to Chandra Levy
A string quartet played and flowers decorated the stage at Modesto’s convention center, which was adorned with 15 enlarged photos of Chandra Levy. A poem that had been written by a well-wisher when police were still searching for Levy was included in the program.
‘HIGHER THAN THE MOON’
Chandra’s brother, Adam, said he and his sister had had a typical brother-sister relationship, sometimes “driving each other crazy, but we cared very much about each other. Her spirit will always live on.”
Fran Iseman, Chandra’s godmother, said, “Our beautiful goddaughter was aptly named. Chandra means ‘higher than the moon.’ She’s in God’s hands, she’s at home — and she’s higher than the moon, surrounded by all His love.”
Marjorie White, a childhood friend of Levy’s, read a letter she wrote to her friend during the service, and afterward told reporters, “Chandra’s spirit has transformed itself; her energy has given inspiration to lots of people.”
I think I heard that when Jon-Benet turned up dead.
Could it be her pinky finger? ;-)
He does reside in Mordor...er...I mean Modesto, right?
Better bring back the turtle sniffing dog. The chances of the DC cops finding it are real slim.
That settles it. Ramsey not just looks like Chief Wiggum, he is Chief Clancy Wiggum!
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