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CNN Live At Daybreak

Authorities Confirm Levy Was Victim of Homicide

Aired May 29, 2002 - 05:15   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: And now to the high profile Chandra Levy case. Authorities confirm the 24-year-old former Washington intern was the victim of a homicide and D.C. Metropolitan Police chief, well, he's vowing his department will find the killer.

Police are still looking for clues at the site in Washington's Rock Creek Park, where Levy's remains were found a week ago. However, the city medical examiner says there is little evidence to determine how she died.

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JONATHAN ARDEN, MEDICAL EXAMINER: In this case there was not specific, excuse me, sufficient evidence to ascertain conclusively the specific injury that caused her death. However, the circumstances of her disappearance and her body of recovery are indicative that she died through the acts of another person, which is the definition of a homicidal manner of death.

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COSTELLO: The medical examiner's comments came just as family and friends gathered for a memorial service for Chandra Levy.

Our Rusty Dornin brings us that part of the story.

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RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A time to grieve for all who knew her and even those who didn't. Nearly 1,200 people packed the Modesto Center here for a public memorial for Chandra Levy. For the first time, members of her family spoke, her grandmother and her great aunt. Both called her a strong, independent, but compassionate woman. Her brother Adam spoke of being the little brother. He says he feels Chandra's presence every day.

Her uncle Paul Katz says the family is doing the best they can.

PAUL KATZ, CHANDRA'S UNCLE: Something like this reaches deep into our heart, causes us to find that inner strength, to try to understand our purpose and to understand how important family is.

DORNIN: The 90 minute service a time to remember just what will be missed most. FRAN ISEMAN, LEVY FAMILY FRIEND: Her spontaneity, her laughter, her great smile. She brought a lot of joy to us, but although she's not here physically, she's right here and that will never go away.

DORNIN: Just a few hours before the service, her parents were told that Chandra's death was now to be investigated as a homicide. They knew it was coming. They even wanted that determination. But...

BILLY MARTIN, LEVY FAMILY ATTORNEY: Every time I share a bit of information like this it breaks their heart again how even though they wanted to know the results of the finding both Dr. and Mrs. Levy were heartbroken again this morning.

DORNIN: Family friends say no matter the cause of death, it's been devastating.

GEORGE ARATA, LEVY FAMILY ATTORNEY: It doesn't really change the emotional impact that it's had on my wife or other friends of the family or the family itself.

DORNIN: In a close-knit community, this very public tragedy has been felt by many. Alex Major (ph) grew up on Chandra's street.

ALEX MAJOR: It was a beautiful service. Lots of very nice music, very touching words. It helped a lot of people. And it was very well, very well put together.

DORNIN: For some, the service gave a sense of closure. Friends and family say for the Levys, that can never be until at least two questions are answered -- who and why?

Rusty Dornin, CNN, Modesto, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: Chandra Levy's relationship with California Congressman Gary Condit was not mentioned at her memorial service. But certainly it has been on the minds of many. Condit has not been named a suspect in the case, but he has been questioned by Washington investigators. His lawyer, Mark Geragos, says he would welcome another police interview. He made those comments on CNN's "LARRY KING LIVE."

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LARRY KING, HOST: Does Gary Condit expect to be questioned again?

MARK GERAGOS, CONDIT ATTORNEY: We would welcome it, actually.

KING: You would?

GERAGOS: I would welcome it, yes. I think, and I said earlier on to you, that as soon as the remains were found, I believe now that that points, you know, to a stranger and that it was a predator in that park. KING: If the FBI suggests, or the police, using polygraphs for a bunch of people, would he submit?

GERAGOS: Well, I would talk to him about it. I haven't yet. But if they thought that that was going to help, I think I would give some advice that would say cooperate. I don't see any reason in the world not to cooperate at this point because I think that this is going to exonerate him.

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