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CNN Live Today

More Alleged Remains of Chandra Levy Discovered

Aired June 07, 2002 - 14:23   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Washington Police Chief Charles Ramsey says he's trying to find out how evidence in the Chandra Levy case was missed during recent searches. And he says that a shinbone found by private investigators hired by the family may not be the last remains still in Rock Creek Park.

Our national correspondent is Bob Franken, and he is in Washington now with more.

Hello, Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hello, and once again we're at the police department where the chief of police is trying to explain why two weeks after the remains of Chandra Levy were discovered in Rock Creek Park, two weeks, including days of searches by his evidence-gathering squads and more than a year after the 24- year-old former intern disappeared, why that two weeks later only now has a leg bone been found about 25 feet from where the original skeletal return -- remains were found about this two weeks ago. Not only that, but they were found, not by D.C. police investigators, but by private detectives employed by the family of Chandra Levy.

The chief of police was described by associates when he heard the news as being livid.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, D.C. METRO POLICE: It wasn't one of the better days I've had in my life, I have to admit. I mean it's certainly something that you hope doesn't happen. Obviously, when I knew at the end of our search we had only recovered approximately 85 percent of the remains that the possibility of more bones being found later was a distinct possibility. All you can do is search as thoroughly as you can. And if they're found, they're found in an area that perhaps we didn't cover. But you don't like to hear these kinds of things.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FRANKEN: No excuses said the chief. But it is entirely possible that the bones were dragged to this site by animals, that that is always a possibility.

Also discovered by the private investigators, some wire. Officials say they don't know if that has anything to do with the disappearance of Chandra Levy or whether it's just scrap.

What has not been found yet, three important clues, including her keys, a bracelet that she wore, a gift from Congressman Gary Condit, the man with whom she had a sexual relationship, and a ring that she always wore. So there's a lot that has not been uncovered.

The searchers have gone back to the site trying to see if they will find more important evidence, trying to see if there is something that they missed -- Leon.

HARRIS: Well, Bob, we know that they -- you know they missed the bone with the dogs and with all the people that have been searching there. And they -- I know they've been through there and you know they've been through there a number of times with metal detectors as well. They're going to go back to that same area again and look for the keys there?

FRANKEN: Though they're going to keep looking. They're going to keep looking at a variety of different places. Yes, they're going to look in that area. They're going to more thoroughly stick their hands in various animal holes and rabbit hutches, that type of thing,...

HARRIS: Yes.

FRANKEN: ... to see if something is there. They say that animals getting involved with remains like this, that is very common. They also say that the scent can be lost after such a period when the body is completely decomposed. Those are some of the explanations. But the chief of police is saying he really hasn't heard a satisfactory explanation yet.

LEON: Oh boy!

Bob Franken in Washington. Thanks, Bob, good job.

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