Mourners Gathering At Site Where Danielle's Body Was Found: (Post van Dam News Here)

Union Tribune ^ | March 1, 2002 | Seth Hettena

[FresnoDA]

Mourners gather at site where Danielle's body was found

By Seth Hettena
ASSOCIATED PRESS

March 1, 2002

Associated Press

Mourners place flowers and a stuffed animal Friday, on the site under an oak tree where 7-year-old Danielle van Dam's body was found along Dehesa Road.

Associated Press

Andy Black looks over a memorial for 7-year-old Danielle van Dam after placing flowers Friday on the site where her body was found.

EL CAJON – Laura Davis said she felt drawn to the quiet patch of shade under an oak tree where searchers this week found the body of 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

"The memory of her soul compelled me to come down here and say a last goodbye," Davis said Friday, cradling her 7-month-old daughter and wiping away tears. "To actually see the place where her innocent sweetness was lying under a tree." Davis, 26, added white flowers to a growing memorial of messages, bouquets, a pink teddy bear and a stuffed blue bunny that marks the place where authorities believe a neighbor dumped Danielle's body weeks ago.

Dental records confirmed Thursday that remains found by a rural roadside 25 miles east of San Diego were those of the little girl, who vanished from her bedroom Feb. 2.

The cause of death could not immediately be determined – and may never be – because of the body's state of decomposition, said Police Chief David Bejarano. Further tests were under way.

Danielle's parents, Brenda and Damon van Dam, said the unflagging efforts of more than 2,500 volunteers who searched a vast area stretching from the ocean to the desert left them with "an overwhelming sense of gratitude and closure."

"With love for an innocent child and for one another, the community has brought her back to us, and for that gift we offer our most sincere and heartfelt thanks," the van Dams said in a statement. "Even though the final outcome is horrible, we could not have imagined the rest of our lives without this closure."

A memorial service is expected later this month.

A neighbor, David Westerfield, 50, was charged Tuesday with murder, kidnapping and possession of child pornography. He has pleaded innocent and is being held without bond.

Authorities said they found traces of Danielle's blood in Westerfield's motor home and on an article of his clothing.

The self-employed engineer spent the weekend of Danielle's disappearance traveling in his motor home, stopping in the desert east of the city, authorities said.

A hunch led volunteers to the area – the remote road was one Westerfield might have taken the weekend Danielle disappeared, said Bill Garcia, a private detective who coordinated searches.

Nearby residents said they were unsettled by the discovery of Danielle's body so close to home.

"It kind of sickens us," said Charles O'Neill, 28, who lives about a mile away. "We've been driving by this road every day for the past month and knowing she's that close is something we never would have imagined."

[quimby]

Thanks for all your work. I did read your web page. The discrepency that stuck out first was the one about the party. Some places the VD's say the guests were there for 15 minutes. Other places they were eating pizza and smoking.

[Freedom2specul8]

I think Damon is the stronger of the two. I think he's stoic. Like other grieving parents who freepmailed me, it's not uncommon to be unemotional in public. I don't want to post excerpts from their emails though. SUffice it to say that everyone grieves differently, just like they love differently. We can't judge a relationship or issue based on how he looks.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Yeah I think she is controlled by him. During these interviews it's almost like I can see him pulling strings in back like a puppet. He seems shy and reserved at first, but then has no problem forcefully speaking up. He gives me the "uh-ohs".

[Eva]

Someone posted part of a Newsweek interview in which the reporter asked the police chief to confirm the rumors regarding the swinging, and he refused to answer. It seems to me that if there was no truth to the allegations, the police chief would have said so.

[Freedom2specul8]

I think the daddy is the stronger of the two.. he's helping her get through it like any good husband would. :)

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I think the daddy is the stronger of the two.. he's helping her get through it like any good husband would. :)

I think I'm going to throw up.

[Freedom2specul8]

THere's a quote some where on my webpage, where the chief was asked that and he said that it's not part of the investigation or something like that. It's somewhere after the first week. I do know that much.

[Freedom2specul8]

LOL You can just a book by its cover..look at the perp.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

I hear what you're saying and I would tend to agree with you. Lord knows I've seen a lot of grieving and dysfunctional parents in my career, but there is just something here that bothers me on a gut level. I can't put my finger on it.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

How does one "just" a book?

[Cold Heat]

I guess we are being too justmental. :-)

[Freedom2specul8]

Thanks for all your work. I did read your web page. The discrepency that stuck out first was the one about the party. Some places the VD's say the guests were there for 15 minutes. Other places they were eating pizza and smoking.

Yes, the first time damon said 15mins..the official report to the police was ''about an hour''....and I think some reports mentioned pizza and others didn't. I don't think that by leaving it outmeant the pizza wasn't part of the evening. The gist of aspects of the stories were the same...the reporters fluctuated a bit on some stuff. Some wrote that daniel went to bed at 10 instead of 10:30. The police chief said somewhere on my webpage that the newsmedia has the time line messed up in places.

[rolling_stone]

Well kim, I don't know about the counselors, but when Police go into a case like this the first thing they do is seperate people and ask them questions individually to see if their stories are the same. Of course if they didn't suspect foul play because danielle was known to sleepwalk and their was no ransom note, they might have missed out on that opportunity. Second What about AFTER the kids went to bed, say between 10pm and when mommy got home around 2:30 am? Could he not have been out of the house and the children not known it? (see post 378, rumor)They apparently didn't wake up for the intruder....also Mr. VD said he went to sleep and woke up when Mommy came home...could he not have gone elswhere for a couple of hours? Why does he say he checked the back door at 1:30 am(from AMW & other reports se post449) and he thought it was from smokers who had visited..? This would establish possibility that Danielle was abducted before that...yet people that came over didn't get there till 2:30 am... I hope you have several million dollars...you seem awfully anxious to give one million away...

[FresnoDA]

Kim, with all due respect, and appreciating the 1/2 day you have spent on the thread!!  Are you part of the VD team?  Better change that last sentence! The Van Dam team?    You have been apprised of significant developments and variations in the VD's story from Feb 2 through today.  30 days of varying comments.  The last few hours have been significant, as more and more is unraveling in Damon and Brenda's alibi.....

They have been on National/International TV.  Larry King, with Damon whispering into Brenda VD's ear, "don't answer that question, don't comment on times".  Brenda was heard off camera asking, "who did the book deal for the Ramsey's".  On John and Ken, same drill, Damon again cutting Brenda VD off, "don't talk about the time, remember?".

So Kim, what gives, we know ya don't like Rick Roberts.  I have never even heard the guy.  But his site is still up, and the link to this article is still live...click on the picture if you want to prove it for yourself.  Why no slander action against KFMB, or John and Ken, did you hear their show on Friday?  All about Damon and the gal a couple of doors down, and how he was "entertaining" her while babysitting.

So now it is fair game to ask, what is your relations to the VD's?  Your role as an advocate exceeds even that of LG, BU and sneakypete, who may have been banned tonight, have not confirmed yet. 

You say the kids are happy and well adjusted.  Hmmmm.....but they definitely are not safe, IMHO......sorry Kim, couldn't just keep stepping over your posts anymore, they were annoying little bird droppings at first, but when they became cow pies, that did it!!!

FresnoDA

 

[Freedom2specul8]

I can't type anymore...I should go. Daniel = Danielle.

[FresnoDA]

Updated as of 11:30 P.M. (See item 11)

What is your current theory, Fresno? Can you state it in a nutshell?

Strictly theory of course......in a Nutshell!!

1.    David Westerfield and Brenda VD have been very well acquainted for many weeks or months.....perhaps he was a visitor early on in a "garage party" and decided why not stay close to home.  If (as alleged) these types of activities were occurring, then it is not like any of these folks are people of character, scruples or discretion.

2.    Damon may not be as egregious and fun loving as everyone thinks.....from what I have learned from the "swingers" who have posted on FR the past few weeks, it is all about NO EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT.  The SWING SET like the physical variance, but it is highly discouraged and frowned upon to imprint on a specific "alternative partner".

3.    One might presume that old Damon was not very happy with the arrangement, and knowing that Brenda VD and DW would coincidentally bump into each other at Dad's Cafe, arranged a surprise for when they returned.

4.    I believe that when the "2 guys" and "2 gals" arrived back the morning of Feb. 2, that a "typical" SWING SET occurred in the garage.....DW was part of the team!!!  He left the "party" when it was over, like the other "guests".  Went home, slept off the night, and was up, packing for his road trip around 9:45 A.M., as reported.

5.    Earlier in the evening, DvD placed Danielle in DW's Motorhome.....for the ultimate revenge/payback possible.....

6.    Westerfield goes on his road trip, discovers the body, freaks out, dumps near the casino, races home and starts cleaning and covering his trail......knowing he has been setup.....

7.    SDPD is "tipped" to DW being a suspect, and move rapidly to track down clues.....(Again, DW was a suspect within 24 hours from previous reports)....and he was the primary focus out of the blocks.  This is common with "fingered" suspects.

8.    Damon and Brenda VD's actions have been peculiar; note on the live John and Ken interview, Brenda VD is a "Chatty Cathy" during the interview, but Damon is silencing her on numerous occasions.  When Douglas Pierce is mentioned, it is Damon who goes ballistic.  Brenda VD may not have a clue as to what is really happening.

9.    As many have mentioned, what is released Monday will tell the tale, as far as David Westerfield being "fingered" by the VD's, or simply became under suspicion because of SDPD foot work.....

10.    Next step???  Will San Diego PD and the DA's office go for the quick "kill", or will they pursue ALL ANGLES to bring any other accomplices or perpetrators to justice?

11.    VD's provide even more confusion, with Brenda mentioning that she had been around David Westerfield on a previous night while out "partying" and telling him "if I can get a babysitter, maybe Friday"!!  So much for just selling Girl Scout Cookies to the guy!!!

There you go, 11 thoughts in a nutshell, from what the flamers will soon label, a nut!!!

FresnoDA

[Freedom2specul8]

You sure spend a lot of time saying something don't ya? All these conspiracy theories and all. :) However, to be BETTER THAN THAT...I will not return the favor to you. Rather than dispel the news reports and quotes...you rather resport to personal attacks. I think that justifies something..not sure what.

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

sorry Kim, couldn't just keep stepping over your posts anymore, they were annoying little bird droppings at first, but when they became cow pies, that did it!!!

Cyber High Five, FDA !!!!!!!

[FresnoDA]

Back at ya, I felt like Twisted Sister. "Were not going to take it, anymore"!!! LOL

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

I guess we are being too justmental. :-)

Yep.......We're judge too justmental.