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.

[FresnoDA]

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, since there are no other reports of missing children in the County at the time. MORE

[FresnoDA]

 

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

[FresnoDA]

Ping...)))

[Registered]

Thanks for the update. So sad.

[a_witness]

• Give Westerfield a fair trial
• If he is guilty execute him
• No abuse, no torture, no rape
• Execute him quickly if he is guilty
• No exception for technicalities
• Either he is guilty or not

[FresnoDA]

Westerfield Arraigned

SAN DIEGO, CA - David Westerfield was arraigned in a San Diego court room Tuesday on charges he kidnapped and murdered seven year old Danielle van Dam. Danielle was reported missing February 2nd and hasn't been seen since. Westerfield pleaded not guilty to all charges. He remains in custody without bail.

complete story

[Republic]

Agreed. But at the very least let the Van Dam's have a few moments of privacy with the perp.

[concerned about politics]

The poor kid. The culture of death continues.
The parents thanked the searchers, and said "we love you."
Does that mean the parents want them to line up for a date? They have a history of doing that, don't they?

[FresnoDA]

Be careful, are you sure about that...

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Not burned means blackened from natural decaying process.

[Unknown Freeper]

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.

I don't understand these two statements together. Was she burned or not? If not, why is it difficult for them to identify her?

[lmr]

I have 2 daughters myself. Whoever did this is a disgusting pervert and less than a human being. I was watching my 3 year old girl outside today, I always worry about my children. I love them alot. I hope that whoever did this pays the ultimate price. God Bless this poor child. No one this young deserves to die like this. My condolences to the family, without prejudice, despite things that have been said.

[Unknown Freeper]

thanks, big ern. I think you anticipated my questions.

[FresnoDA]

Could it have been a type of acid, sulfuric??

[Brasil]

Nothing could be harsh enough for the loathsome, depraved, perverted monster who perpetrated this horrible suffering.

[a_witness]

Did I say the Van Dam's should not be charged ?
Perhaps they will simply be charged in a higher court.
They must live with their guilt.
Westerfield, if he is the one who took her, must die with his.

[Amore]

Thanks for the explanation.

[Catspaw]

At least the child has been found so the parents can bury their child. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this poor family.

I wish I could say that their hell is over, but they have to get through the trial of the murderer of their daughter and that could take months, if not years. I can only hope justice is swift.

[185JHP]

Humane execution is as much for *us* as it is for the convicts. The death penalty is a fit penalty for some crimes, and a wonderful deterrent against futre criminality by the one executed. No need to coarsen our society by painful executions. FReegards

[spectre]

Westerfield will get his day in court. I will keep repeating he needs to give a full and complete confession, let the truth about that evening come out, no matter how ugly it is to hear.

sw