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

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Some ideas come to mind on how to put to use my new purchase when it shows up next week.

[FresnoDA]

Matthew 18:6 - But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

[a_witness]

Humane execution is as much for *us* as it is for the convicts.

• It should be just
• It should be swift
• It should be certain

[Catspaw]

They probably have to formally ID her, especially if her body has deteriorated (and I'm really not going to get into that; you can do a web search on forensics). They usually use dental records and DNA for a positive ID.

[FresnoDA]

 

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POLICE BELIEVE FOUND BODY IS THAT OF DANIELLE VAN DAM

( 02-27-2002 ) - San Diego Police are investigating a report that remains of a young child were found Wednesday in the Dehesa area east of El Cajon.

Click here to see an area map.

A Sheriff's Department official says the remains were found by volunteers who have been searching for 7-year-old Danielle van Dam.

District Attorney Paul Pfingst started a press conference by saying, "We believe Danielle van Dam's body has been found."

Pfingst said preliminary findings at the sight include:

- 3' - 4' young white female with blonde hair
- around her neck is a plastic necklace similar to the one Danielle is wearing is the search flyers
- one visible earring similar to the one Danielle was wearing the night she disappeared
- advanced decomposition is evident in some areas of the body
- the body was apparently dropped off at that location
- no homicide instruments have yet been found at the scene
- no obvious cause of death is currently known

San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano said the family has been notified and that authorities will remain with the family as long as necessary.

The crime scene will take 12 to 18 hours to process and that the earliest identification of the body will be within 24 hours if dental records are used. If that is not possible, DNA processing could take three to four days.

The Sheriff's Department got the report shortly after 2 p.m., sent out its homicide unit and alerted the San Diego Police Department, which also sent detectives.

The corpse was found behind some foliage, near a trail and scattered rocks, off Dehesa Road, between Willow Glen Drive and Sloane Canyon Road.

Police tape has been put up around an area of Dehesa Road, near the Singing Hills Resort at Sycuan and Singing Hills Memorial Park cemetery.

Late Wednesday afternoon, a motor home was brought to the scene, apparently to serve as a base for investigators who will secure the site overnight.

Until further notice, all searches have been postponed.

Authorities say this has been the most extensive search by volunteers in San Diego, if not California history.

[PleaseNoMore]

My own daughter turned 9 today. I watch her, as you do your own, and have so many hopes and dreams for her future. We celebrated her special day doing "mommy and daughter" stuff. I cannot fathom ever being without her. I am going to go lie down beside her while she sleeps and thank God for such a precious child and pray for His protection to continue on her life.

As for the Van Dams, my heart goes out to them. At this point the stories about their lifestyles are just that, stories with no name or face to back them up, just annonymous "reliable sources". These folks have lost a child. Their sons have lost a sister. Instead of criticism right now they need prayers and support.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Can I get a a_witness?

[Tarzantheape]

(Some ideas come to mind on how to put to use my new purchase when it shows up next week.)

Your new gun?...Yeah, grip it tightly by the barrel use it to smash his head in...Why waste a bullet?

[Artie_Kay]

I feared that this might be the outcome.

My wife & I have raised 3 daugthers. Relating to what the parents must be going through makes it so personal.

My prayers will be with them.

[Dianna]

Is this anywhere near the desert Westerfield had driven to?

[FresnoDA]

Police Say Body Likely Missing Girl

By SETH HETTENA
Associated Press Writer

February 27, 2002

news://newsclip.ap.org/GO105022721@news.ap.org--> news://newsclip.ap.org/200202262339-335.ra@news.ap.org-->

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) – Volunteers looking for 7-year-old Danielle van Dam in a rural area east of San Diego found a partially burned body Wednesday that is apparently that of a child.

The age and gender of the body were not immediately known, but San Diego police Lt. Jim Collins said there was "a high probability" the body was that of the missing second-grader.

A deputy at the scene 25 miles east of the city said the body had been partially burned. Collins would not confirm that. A positive identification of the body could take several days.

"At this point we cannot positively confirm that it is Danielle," Collins said. "However, we don't have any other young children missing in the county that have been reported. It's a high probability that it is her."

Danielle was last seen on Feb. 1, when her father put her to bed in her family's San Diego home. She was discovered missing the next morning.

Authorities have charged a neighbor of the family with killing the girl. David Westerfield, 50, pleaded innocent Tuesday to charges of murder, kidnapping and possession of child pornography.

Westerfield, a twice-divorced father of two grown children, has a 1996 drunken driving conviction but no violent criminal history.

He has said he was at the same bar where Brenda van Dam was spending time with friends the night Danielle disappeared. Her husband was home with their daughter and two sons.

Westerfield spent the weekend of Danielle's disappearance traveling around San Diego County in his motor home, stopping in the desert east of the city.

Police have received permission to search a dry cleaner in suburban Poway for Westerfield's bedding and clothing. Westerfield reportedly had taken seat cushions from his motor home and clothing in for cleaning after his weekend in the desert.

Police have also searched Westerfield's home and examined three of his vehicles. In warrants, police said they were looking for child pornography, children's pajamas or clothing and a set of Mickey Mouse earrings. Police also sought any "binding materials" such as tape or rope, leather or rope collars.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

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

Sad if it is, but sad no matter what.

There wouldn't need to be reports in that county. Heck, kids wind up missing half way around the world. county borders dont stop abductors.

[Republic]

I guess I am sure. If this man is proven to be the killer, then who better to first meet out first justice than the parents of an innocent child. I mean....really. I guess we are not about that in this country (Thanks to our wise founders)but still, this is too much.

Our laws no longer meet out justice. Are these parents really expected to sit around an watch this creep get life and out in five while they get to live the rest of their lives knowing their dtr's life was cut down at the tiny age of seven?

[FresnoDA]

Police have also searched Westerfield's home and examined three of his vehicles. In warrants, police said they were looking for child pornography, children's pajamas or clothing and a set of Mickey Mouse earrings. Police also sought any "binding materials" such as tape or rope, leather or rope collars.

Westerfield appears to have been figured for "dirty" early on.  Perhaps the SDLE were given details about him which made him a suspect early in the investigation.....

[Jewels1091]

The human body starts to decay rapidly, and then there are wild animals. The body turns black if it isn't embalmed, there is coloring added to the fluid. The body will also swell in any conditions from internal gases, and in extreme cases can actually split the skin. If it has been in the sun and they have had warmer than normal temps, the it makes the process even faster. And it has been a month or more.

[Deltaforceeoo7]

Worst part of this case is the killer will get a painless merciful death. Will go quietly to sleep with an injection. Why couldn't this have happened in a state where they still use Old Sparky "From the Green Mile"; or the guillotene, or the old hanging tree at 3rd and Main streets. He'll get off easy.

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

I just figured to put some Novak Rear Night Sight shaped dents in his cranium.

[FresnoDA]

Police: 'High Probability' Body Found Is Danielle's

 

[concerned about politics]

All behavior has a consequence. This time, the consequence of their behavior was the death of their daughter.
Will they learn from it? Or go back to the lifestyle that allowed it to happen in the first place?
I hope they don't , for the sake of their other children.

[185JHP]

I agree with all of your points. Retribution is a good thing. And if the death penalty isn't a deterrent, why do hardened criminals enter the Witness Security Program?

[rolling_stone]

I'd like to take a moment to thank all these searchers who helped bring this poor child home to rest. I know some here feel the parents contributed to the child's demise by their lack of attention...they may be right, but surely they will not need any help in thinking what might have been if only they had done something different. IMO no one deserves to have a loved one taken away in this manner regardless of their conduct.

I hope Danielle is dreaming with the angels tonight...Suenos con Los Angelitos...

[FITZ]

Was she burned or not? If not, why is it difficult for them to identify her?

Recently there was a little girl horribly murdered here. In that case (according to some doctors who were involved in the case) "burned" meant burned with acid poured into her mouth and vagina and on her face to denature any DNA evidence from the killer. That can make identification difficult.

[FresnoDA]

DANIELLE'S BODY FOUND

Clothing found on the body that was discovered Wednesday afternoon in the Dehesa Valley match what 7 year old Danielle Van Dam was last seen wearing on February 1st when she was taken from her Sabre Springs home. The body was found partially burned 30 feet from Dehesa Road in the East County in an area where people illegally dump trash. Danielle Van Dam was reported missing from her San Diego home on February 1st and has been the subject of an intense search. Neighbor David Westerfield is the prime suspect in the case and has been charged in the murder.

[FITZ]

I know some here feel the parents contributed to the child's demise by their lack of attention...they may be right, but surely they will not need any help in thinking what might have been if only they had done something different. IMO no one deserves to have a loved one taken away in this manner regardless of their conduct.

Bump ---I agree.

[Catspaw]

Will they learn from it? Or go back to the lifestyle that allowed it to happen in the first place?

Do you blame John and Reve Walsh for the death of their son, Adam? After all, Adam wandered away from Reve Walsh for a few seconds while she was shopping and he was kidnapped and murdered. It's Reve's fault for shopping, right?

Do you blame Mark Klaas and his former wife for the death of their daughter, Polly? After all, Polly was kidnapped and murdered while she was having a sleepover with two friends. It's the fault of sleepovers, right?

Please provide me with credible media sources about the lifestyle of the Van Dams. So far, I've seem rumors, I've seen gossip and innuendo, but I have not seen a news source for this. I have asked on other threads for this information, but no one has yet to provide this information to me.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

Is this anywhere near the desert Westerfield had driven to?

Or is it in a logical location that would be on route to or from the desert?

[dagoofyfoot]

I'm sorry, but I just can't think of anything better than death by torture for anyone who torture's and kills a helpless, innocent child. It's just a sickening tragedy that's becomming all too common. God help us.

[Cold Heat]

I don't understand these two statements together

I wrote something to help you understand the speed that a exposed body degenerates but decided not to post it. I hope this is sufficient.

[The Mayor]

This is so sad

[Catspaw]

The poor kid. The poor family.

I can only hope the crime scene investigators work quickly and thoroughly and the pathologists get done with their work efficiently so this child can be given a decent burial.