DA Believes Body Found IS That Of Danielle van Dam: 6:30 P.M. News Conference

NBC KNSD 7/39 San Diego ^ | February 27, 2002 7:00 P.M. | NBC KNSD 7/39 San Diego

[FresnoDA]

San Diego County District Attorney Paul Pfingst confirming that the body found in the desert may be that of Danielle van Dam

DA believes body found is that of Danielle van Dam by NBC 7/39 News Staff

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 27 –    District Attorney Paul Pfingst and Chief of Police David Bejarano held a news conference at 6:30 p.m. in the DA's conference room of the Hall of Justice, where they mentioned that some items on the body found match those described to be worn by Danielle van Dam.

San Diego County District Attorney Paul Pfingst says the body discovered is that of a 3- to 4-foot young girl with blonde hair.She was found on her back.

The child was also wearing a plastic necklace, similar to the one Danielle is seen wearing in thousands of "missing girl" flyers posted since her disappearance more than three weeks ago.

She was also wearing an earring that matched one of those investigators believe Danielle was wearing when she was last seen at her family's Sabre Springs' home.

Pfingst said despite earlier reports, the body does not appear to have been burned.

Authorities say it could take several days for to positively identify the body using DNA evidence.

[rolling_stone]

I'd like to take a moment to thank all these searchers who helped bring this poor child home to rest. I know some here feel the parents contributed to the child's demise by their lack of attention...they may be right, but surely they will not need any help in thinking what might have been if only they had done something different. IMO no one deserves to have a loved one taken away in this manner regardless of their conduct.

I hope Danielle is dreaming with the angels tonight...Suenos con Los Angelitos...

[FITZ]

Was she burned or not? If not, why is it difficult for them to identify her?

Recently there was a little girl horribly murdered here. In that case (according to some doctors who were involved in the case) "burned" meant burned with acid poured into her mouth and vagina and on her face to denature any DNA evidence from the killer. That can make identification difficult.

[FresnoDA]

DANIELLE'S BODY FOUND

Clothing found on the body that was discovered Wednesday afternoon in the Dehesa Valley match what 7 year old Danielle Van Dam was last seen wearing on February 1st when she was taken from her Sabre Springs home. The body was found partially burned 30 feet from Dehesa Road in the East County in an area where people illegally dump trash. Danielle Van Dam was reported missing from her San Diego home on February 1st and has been the subject of an intense search. Neighbor David Westerfield is the prime suspect in the case and has been charged in the murder.

[FITZ]

I know some here feel the parents contributed to the child's demise by their lack of attention...they may be right, but surely they will not need any help in thinking what might have been if only they had done something different. IMO no one deserves to have a loved one taken away in this manner regardless of their conduct.

Bump ---I agree.

[Catspaw]

Will they learn from it? Or go back to the lifestyle that allowed it to happen in the first place?

Do you blame John and Reve Walsh for the death of their son, Adam? After all, Adam wandered away from Reve Walsh for a few seconds while she was shopping and he was kidnapped and murdered. It's Reve's fault for shopping, right?

Do you blame Mark Klaas and his former wife for the death of their daughter, Polly? After all, Polly was kidnapped and murdered while she was having a sleepover with two friends. It's the fault of sleepovers, right?

Please provide me with credible media sources about the lifestyle of the Van Dams. So far, I've seem rumors, I've seen gossip and innuendo, but I have not seen a news source for this. I have asked on other threads for this information, but no one has yet to provide this information to me.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Is this anywhere near the desert Westerfield had driven to?

Or is it in a logical location that would be on route to or from the desert?

[dagoofyfoot]

I'm sorry, but I just can't think of anything better than death by torture for anyone who torture's and kills a helpless, innocent child. It's just a sickening tragedy that's becomming all too common. God help us.

[Cold Heat]

I don't understand these two statements together

I wrote something to help you understand the speed that a exposed body degenerates but decided not to post it. I hope this is sufficient.

[The Mayor]

This is so sad

[Catspaw]

The poor kid. The poor family.

I can only hope the crime scene investigators work quickly and thoroughly and the pathologists get done with their work efficiently so this child can be given a decent burial.

[Amore]

I'd like to see him confess, but I don't expect it. Although they can link the forensic evidence together to provide a sufficient case, the evidence can't be characterized as overwhelming. And since it isn't, he will probably take his chances at trial. (i.e., hope for a stupid OJ jury)

The only remaining reason for confessing would be so that he could throw himself upon the mercy of the court. But with all the publicity this case has received, I don't think any judge would feel that he could let the defendant off lightly (i.e., give him life instead of death).

[Catspaw]

Please don't post that information--or send a private e-mail. That information is available on the web.

[FresnoDA]

Wednesday, February 27, 2002

EL CAJON, Calif. — San Diego police investigating the disappearance of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam were called to a rural area east of the San Diego County city of El Cajon Wednesday to look into the discovery of a burned human body, apparently that of a young

[Cold Heat]

Yup! I came to the same conclusion.

[dread78645]

Remains of child found in the Dehesa area Lt. Jim Collins of the San Diego Police Department said that there is a high probability that the body is that of Danielle van Dam . . .

My God, you people. Get a grip.
It's not like this was the murder of a Federal poultry inspector.

[FresnoDA]

What's your point dread? A lot of folks have been following this closely, and for those of us in California, it is close to home? Poultry inspector? I just don't get your comments....

[Cold Heat]

Huh?

[MHT]

Was the body found in the same area which this neighbor was supposedly camping on the same weekend?

[My Favorite Headache]

I swear I am going to get flamed for this...but something tells me this guy did NOT do this. I don't know why but something just tells me there is a ton more about this.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Why couldn't this have happened in a state where they still use Old Sparky "From the Green Mile"..."

Bring him to Florida, I'll spring for the plane ride.

One ticket to Tallahassee, one way.