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CNN Live Today

Authorities Continue to Search for Clues in Virginia Abduction

Aired August 16, 2002 - 12:02   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Virginia, investigators are looking for a 9-year-old girl who is missing after her parents were found shot to death.
And our Jeanne Meserve has been following that story, want to go with her -- Jeanne, hi, how are you?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, hello. New, new developments we are told in what appears to be a double murder and an abduction. Crime scene units are here at the scene, a house where the bodies of Mary and Michael Short were discovered yesterday morning, each of them shot once in the head. The search is still on for their daughter, young Jennifer Short, authorities say this is now a nationwide manhunt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CAPT. KIMMY NESTER, HENRY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: Our investigation is extensive. It is a nationwide manhunt for the person who apparently has abducted her, and took her away from her home here. Both parents were found shot yesterday. Both have died from an apparent gunshot wound, single one to each of their heads.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: Authorities say that the evidence seems to rule out murder and suicide, that they are conducting a search, as I mentioned for young Jennifer. They believe that the individual or individuals responsible for these murders was familiar with the layout of the house. They have not told us why. They are interviewing friends, acquaintances, neighbors and coworkers. This was the site of a business run by Mr. Short. It towed trailers -- in fact, it was one of his coworkers that discovered the bodies here at about 9:00 yesterday morning. So the search still on for young Jennifer, she is described as 9-years-old, standing about 4-feet 3-inches tall, weighing 58 pounds, people who we have spoken to who have met this girl describe her as shy and sweet and say she always with her parents -- back to you, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: Well, Jeanne what kind of evidence, if any, is in the home that would indicate possibly to officials who they need to be looking for, or perhaps whether there was a break in or what took place in that home shortly before the murders and the abduction now?

MESERVE: Fredricka, at this point, we do not have that sort of information. As I mentioned, there are several crime units here. We can presume that they are going through that house, trying to pick up exactly those kinds of clues. Also, I am sure autopsies being done on those bodies to determine exactly what the time of death might have been. They were known to be entertaining on Wednesday night until about midnight, and then at 9:00 in the morning, their bodies were discovered. It will be important for authorities to find out exactly when the time of the murders might have been. That might help them trace in some way the movements of young Jennifer and whoever may have her -- back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right. Jeanne Meserve, thank you very much.

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