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.
The link has good archive of past stories, including those involving the neighbor, Mr. Westerfield.
Here's an FR thread with 250+ posts discussing a Westerfield article:
Missing [San diego] girl's neighbor went to desert, beach and back (Feb 9)
I just observed them on a San Diego news interview and they were asked about this new search of the neighbor's house. Their reaction was practically one of no interest and Brenda said something like she doesn't really think about it. It's just weird, IMO.
And, the blood hounds in the Van Dam home.
Anyone else find these two items curious (routine and expected for police investigations --- but curious)?
Investigators emerged (11:20 pm PST) from Westerfield's house with about six boxes of supposed possible evidence and what appeared to be a tripod.
Law enforcement still says no arrest is imminent.
I thought, in the beginning, the parents seemed genuine. The husband was especially emotional. Wife maybe was a little cooler, but I thought nothing of it.
They have changed. I think it more likely to be shock and fatigue. Especially since they have been shamed and humiliated via the rumors of their alleged "swinging" lifestyle. They even got broadsided on this issue nationally, on Larry King. I can only imagine the e-mails they have been getting since these revelations. The damage cannot be mended.
I recall Susan Levy acted not so dissimilarly when the affair allegations first came up. She became a little vague and changed her demeanor. Why shouldn't she? It's all terribly embarassing.
I don't think the parents are the Ramseys or Susan Smith. But certainly I may be shown to be wrong. I hope not.
Thanks for the info.
I hope you're not too. I can't think of anything much worse than a child being such a victim of his or her own parent. It's so terribly sad !!!!
Yes. That's what the reporter at the house said it appeared to be.
I don't rule that out as a possibility. If it were me, I'd have to be heavily medicated. As far as I'm concerned the jury is still out on the van Dam's.
The medication theory could well be true but they don't appear to have any problem navigating through some of the rough water.
I've never walked in their moccasins so I can't know, but some things seem mighty strange.
Personally, I think it all sounds a little to fishy on the parents part, but that could also been from bad reporting on the medias part.
It's all very disheartening, especially when I look at the girl's picture.
Good night all, and prayers for Danielle. Daniel Pearl too.
Did you hear that guy on KFI's John and Ken show? He was involved in some kind of reward fund or something. He said that he had been in the house and the van Dams were very suspicious.
Of course, who knows how truthful he is. But the one thing that struck me as ringing possibly true was that the mild mannered, seemingly timid, Damon, was anything but that out of sight of the camera. He elaborated more but I can't recall much of it.
Some of these media whores give me a squirmy feeling.
I caught a glimpse of mom in the background of a live shot on the news the other day, and she was primping her hair in the reflection of the car window before going out front. Seeing things like that, and hearing the weird tales of open doors but not worrying about it, make me very skeptical. The whole story of that night just sounds fishy.
Also seen was a detective emerging from the garage with what appeared to be a Skilsaw. Possibly a large tool box as well.
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