UPDATE ON SAMANTHA (CA) Arrest made in murder!!!!!!!http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/719066/posts?page=79#79
Man arrested in Samantha Runnion killing
07/19/2002
STANTON, Calif. - A man was arrested Friday for investigation of the kidnap-murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion, Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona said.
Alejandro Avila, 27, was arrested after search warrants were served overnight at an apartment complex near Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, not far from where the girl's body was found Tuesday near Highway 74, a route connecting the two counties.
The arrest came during an extensive dragnet following Samantha's abduction.
AP Alejandro Avila |
Samantha's nude body was discovered Tuesday afternoon along Highway 74 on the edge of the Cleveland National Forest, about 50 miles from Stanton.
An autopsy revealed the girl was alive for several hours after she was snatched and was killed sometime Tuesday by asphyxiation.
Carona said earlier that warrants were served at four locations, including an apartment complex near Lake Elsinore, and at a business in Temecula.
Adelina Avila said her Lake Elsinore apartment was searched by authorities late Thursday and her 27-year-old son was being detained. She said her son was taken in early Thursday for questioning and she was able to speak with him over the phone.
"I don't think my son did anything, but I notice he is cooperating," said Avila. "I don't have anything against that. He hasn't been through this before so he doesn't know what's going on. He doesn't have no record."
Authorities said Thursday the dragnet was so extensive that there had been numerous detentions and a few arrests on unrelated violations as law enforcement officers encountered people generally matching the suspect's description.
In Sunderland, Mass., Samantha's biological father, Derek Jackson, mourned her Thursday at a news conference from his home.
"I will always stay connected with her. She will live in my heart when I wake up every day," Jackson said. "I love her dearly. I miss you, Samantha."
Jackson also offered advice to other parents.
"Please watch your children. Every second, don't let them out of your sight, especially now," he said.
Outside Samantha's home, a memorial continued to grow. Flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, candles and personal messages to her were laid out on 14 tables in a courtyard of the housing complex. Once full of children playing and skateboarding, it was vacant Thursday morning. A nearby park was also sparsely populated, and parents kept a careful watch.
Tara Frietas, 13, walked with her grandfather, Art Domen, 79, from their Garden Grove home a few blocks away to pay their respects.
They said they had taken extra precautions.
"I have to be home before dark. I can't go anywhere alone, and I'm not to speak to strangers," Tara said, adding she was afraid after hearing the sheriff comment Wednesday that the killer could strike again.
Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/latestnews/stories/071902dnnatrunnion.223fb.html