Posted on 02/13/2002 9:45:20 PM PST by Shermy
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Police, who have searched David Westerfield's home several times since Danielle van Dam vanished from her Sabre Springs home, arrived there again Wednesday night for another search they said could last several hours. They did not say what they were looking for.
One of the case's chief investigators said late Wednesday, however, that there would not be an arrest Wednesday night.
They previously seized a motor home and other property belonging to the 49-year-old self-employed engineer who lives two doors down from the van Dam family. Investigators have also taken a DNA sample from Westerfield and sent it to an FBI crime lab for investigation, police Lt. Jim Duncan told reporters Tuesday.
On Tuesday, investigators used a bloodhound to search the van Dam home. They declined to say whether the dog found anything.
The van Dam family announced Wednesday night they were scheduling a news conference for 8 a.m. Thursday in front of their home to discuss their daughter's disappearance. They did not elaborate.
Danielle's parents have offered a $25,000 reward for information leading to the safe return of their daughter. Earlier, Marc Klaas, who became an advocate for missing children after his daughter was murdered in 1993, met Wednesday with the parents of the 7-year-old San Diego girl who police believe was abducted from her bedroom.
"I can emotionally give them support and tell them what to expect," Klaas told reporters after meeting with Damon and Brenda van Dam, whose daughter, Danielle, was last seen Feb 1.
Danielle disappeared after her father put her to bed. Investigators have called Westerfield, a neighbor, a "potential suspect" but have made no arrests.
The case has sparked intense media attention and Danielle's disappearance was featured Saturday night on the crime-fighting show "America's Most Wanted."
Duncan told reporters Tuesday that the investigation was progressing slowly. "We do not appear to be close to an arrest," he said then.
Klaas' 12-year-old daughter, Polly, was abducted from her home in Petaluma during a slumber party. Her body was found 65 days later. Richard Allen Davis was later convicted and sentenced to death for the crime.
Since then, Marc Klaas has worked as an advocate on children's issues through a private foundation and has assisted in searches for missing kids. "I won't say I can help them recover, because you don't recover, but I'd like to think I can help them deal with this a little bit," Klaas said.
I find it very strange that Brenda says that someone knows where Danielle is and "it's not me". I think that's a very odd thing to say about something that should be obvious in an innocent person. Just my opinion.
It is an odd thing to say. You may have noticed one of the top investigators on the case says there will be an arrest made shortly ...
I had thought Danielle's disappearance may have been coordinated between the Van Dams and Westerfield and that something went awry and Danielle was hurt, killed, or not returned as promised. But after reading your article, it sounds like the Van Dams might even have orchestrated this with one of their swinger friends and blamed Westerfield. In any case, Mr. Van Dam gives me the CREEPS!!!
Me too !!!
No one can know, but one can sure see what they see and learn information and then speculate.
If you don't believe that these parents have, at the least, allowed their daughter to be vulnerable, I don't understand your reasoning.
Unless the stories of "swinging", swapping, et al, are lies, they should cause a logical person to pause. The fact that the van Dam's apparent vice revolves around sexual perversion makes this situation highly suspicious.
I agree that none of us know how we would behave but I think most feel like there are things we most probably wouldn't do. For example....... I don't think I could go to my son's little league game while the cameras filmed me clapping and cheering as if I didn't have a care in the world. Damon van Dam did.
I understand that people who suffer tragedies must eventually get on with life, but this is a bit soon, to put it mildly. They both seemed to have made several references to the money angle of this and how it benefits them.
I didn't see it but I guess she mentioned book deals on LKL. I find this disgusting !!!
What profession is Damon van Dam in?
What profession is Mrs. van Dam in?
What profession is Westerfield in?
I think it is very possible. Apparently they confiscated some child porn and a video tripod from Westerfield's house.
Add to that the fact that the parents are perverted and it sounds like a formula for just the type of thing you suggest.
Whether or not the parents are directly involved with her disappearance and fate, I believe their lifestyle contributed to the vulnerability of Danielle. It breaks my heart !!!!!
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