BREAKING NOW: Detectives Arrive at Danielle Van Dam Residence for 4:00 P.M. Announcement.

KOGO News Radio 600 ^ | February 28, 2002 | KOGO

[FresnoDA]

BREAKING NOW, KOGO........Unmarked Police Car just arrived at Van Dam's residence, breaking now.....reporter says very grim faced.....expecting that reason for visit is warning VD's of positive ID.

DA HOLDS NEWS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON
Authorities expect to announce today that the body of a young girl found dumped off a road in East County is, as law enforcement officials already believe, that of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam. Dental records will likely be used to make a positive identification. San Diego District Attorney Paul Pfingst said last night that all the evidence points to the body being that of the second-grader who had been reported missing on Feb. 2. ``We believe that Danielle van Dam's body has been found,'' he said during a news conference with San Diego police Chief David Bejarano. Susan Wintersteen, a family friend, said this morning that the Van Dams are ``going through unspeakable pain and loss right now.'' But she said that the discovery of the body ``has provided them with the closure that they so desired."
Stay tuned to KOGO for live coverage of the DA's news conference this afternoon between 4pm and 5pm.

[Mrs.Liberty]

He was a member of the casino, meaning he was a regular. I think it is more likely that he knew of the area as he had driven that way to the casino before, and thus thought it might be a good place to hide the body.

I don't even want to think of him playing video slots after tossing her little body into a trash pit.

[MizSterious]

BunnySlippers--good catch. Thanks for reporting on this, because I had to miss the live press conference. That is the question I have--was Westerfield an invited guest, or an intruder?

[CheneyChick]

That is interesting. I'm really curious as to the timing of when Westerfield picked her up; i.e., did he come in the house before the mother got home or with that group of "friends" that supposedly came in the house for awhile? Lots of questions....

[BunnySlippers]

I'm no lawyer, but it seems that the defense has a gold mine of garbage to dig in.

Ususually the deceased and the family are the victims in cases like this ... in this particular case I believe Danielle was the LONE victim. I FIRMLY believe that had Brenda not been out "floozing" that night that her daughter would be alive now. She contributed inactively in her daughter's abduction.

If the press conference is any indicator, Brenda may have invited Westerfield over for swinging "later" ... she may well have clued him into the unlocked sliding door.

The fact remains that this abduction from a suburban home is really highly unusual. Who is going around trying unlocked doors?

[GussiedUp]

May God rest her soul.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

That is the question I have--was Westerfield an invited guest, or an intruder?

......and had he been there prior to that night? I just can't come to terms with the idea that this is as simple as Westerfield waltzing into an occupied home and all the circumstances falling into place allowing him to go unnoticed.

I still feel like this poor, precious little child was the victim of more than one adult. It's so, so sad !!!

[Redcloak]

I doubt that he stopped there. It sounds more like he blasted out into the desert to establish an alibi when the RV "broke down" out near Glamis. "Who? Me? Couldn't have been. See the tow truck driver's records? I was waaaay over here in the desert. Nope... Nowhere near the crime scene. Not me. Uh-uh... Nosireebob. Miles away... Says so on the driver's records."

(Yeah, yeah, yeah... I know... Innocent until proven guilty and all that; yada, yada, yada.)

[Hildy]

I live in San Diego and it's sad, and it's a tragedy, but I've had it with the press on this. The Media needs to move on and let the parents grieve and the law take its course. However, I doubt that will happen, knowin the SD media.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

If the press conference is any indicator, Brenda may have invited Westerfield over for swinging "later" ... she may well have clued him into the unlocked sliding door.

The fact remains that this abduction from a suburban home is really highly unusual. Who is going around trying unlocked doors?

I agree. It seems like he knew too much and access was too easy. Why ?????

[Redcloak]

The defense won't touch that one. That's the motive for Westerfield. She was killed because he was/wasn't invited to the orgy. Either way he's screwed, if you'll pardon the pun. The last thing they want to do is go there.

[Shermy]

FYI, interesting facts about the good police work.

"...At the urging of The San Diego Union-Tribune, a judge opened to public view yesterday parts of search warrants obtained by police investigating Danielle's disappearance. Other search-warrant material, including lists of what the police found and the justifications for the searches, remains sealed.

However, the owner of a Poway dry-cleaning business said police seized clothing and bedding that the 50-year-old, self-employed engineer brought in two days after Danielle was reported missing Feb. 2.

Many, if not all, of the items had been cleaned by the time police seized them from Twin Peak's Cleaners & Shirt Laundry. However, DNA tests identified Danielle's blood on one of the items – a jacket – a law enforcement source said yesterday.

Investigators haven't ruled out the possibility that other items seized from the dry cleaner might still yield evidence, said the source, who like others confirmed details in this story on the condition of anonymity..."

I wonder how did LE know to go to the dry cleaners. Did they follow him? Tip? Time to get a warrant cause a delay?

[I_Love_My_Husband]

Oh dear God, I can't believe these people invited this man in!

[jlogajan]

I FIRMLY believe that had Brenda not been out "floozing" that night that her daughter would be alive now. She contributed inactively in her daughter's abduction.

What if she had been out at a prayer meeting or volunteering at the local shelter. Would she still be guilty in your eyes? You people are pathetic. It was the killer who is responsible. Period.

[Libertina]

Did that little girl EVER get to take her choker necklace off? So many pictures with it. May the guilty pay for this horrible deed.

[merry10]

Thank you Jlogajan! You rock!

[merry10]

yeah, tell that to Ann Rule. She had Ted Bundy over to her house. And she was a police detective!

[GussiedUp]

I keep thinking of the little siblings, friends and schoolmates of Danielle who are dealing with this horrific event. I pray that their needs and fears are being attended to.

When I was around 12 years old this same horror invaded my hometown in Tennessee. I'll never forget it because my dad was on the Sheriff's Dept and my parents became very possessive of me after that.

The little girl was kidnapped walking home through the woods and I'll spare the details but as long as I live, I'll never forget her name although I never knew her: Betty Jean Necessary was her name.

It took away much innocence from us as kids and whenever this happens I still shed a tear for a little girl my age, whom I never knew, as well as the current victim. God when will it ever stop? What kind of animal preys on innocent children?

[is_is]

there is definitely more going on here.....how did he know the parents were otherwise occupied out in the garage and would have access to the house.....

[MizSterious]

Yes, the killer was responsible. But if the parents let him in, they will also be held responsible. Their lifestyle may well have had a direct bearing on the fate of this child. And by the way, prayer meetings aren't held in the wee hours of the morning in bars.

[BunnySlippers]

What if she had been out at a prayer meeting or volunteering at the local shelter. Would she still be guilty in your eyes? You people are pathetic. It was the killer who is responsible. Period.

Oh, you're pathetic. I'm not passing judgement on swinging but the fact that Mom may have advertised that the door is open ... and "you're welcome in" (at midnight). I'd feel the same way if Brenda was a nun. I couldn't care less if they swing ... although I would submit it is better done BEFORE having children or AFTER they leave the home.

You will certainly not agree ... but most people who swing may be be well adjusted sexually but there is a higher probability that they are not. Who needs these people opening doors in the middle of the night?

But then, there's no explaining your POV.