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CNN Live Today

Frustrating Search For Jennifer Short Takes Police to Pond Near Virginia Home

Aired August 19, 2002 - 12:19   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The frustrating search for Jennifer Short took police to a pond near her Virginia home. The 9-year-old has not been seen since her parents were found shot to death four days ago, and investigators appear stymied.
CNN's Jeanne Meserve is following the story from Collinsville, Virginia.

Any new leads, Jeanne?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT; Well, Carol, actually we just got some new documentation here in Henry County. This is the inventory of the search warrant that was executed at the Short home shortly after the bodies were discovered missing, some very interesting notes on here. A 22 caliber casing from the bed of Mary short, a 22 caliber case from the garage floor near Michael Short. Also they found here a Winchester shotgun and a 22 long rifle. There also are a partial box of Winchester ammunition and also a box of shells for the Winchester shut gun, and also kind of interesting. We do not know what it means, but reports of an impression, a latent impression -- quote -- "I am glad to see from the garage door window glass."

The garage is where Michael Short's body was discovered. In addition here, clearly, they were searching for documentation. We have know they are trying to contact the business associates and employees of Michael Short. Word here that they took a computer disk and multiple document from the briefcase and other areas of the home, also names and phone numbers from kitchen books and things of that sort.

We're still going through this, but it looks very interesting at this point. Apparently, they obviously did find weapons. In addition, as you mentioned, a search has been going on this morning. Rescue workers went to a pond that's in a farm not far away from the Short house. This is a very murky pond in the middle of a cow pasture, and they were unable to dive in there, but they went through with sort of a fish hook apparatus and dredged it. That took about 2 1/2 hours. They also went through with underwater cameras. Despite the murky water, they said they had a visibility of about three feet. They said they found absolutely nothing in that pond. The sheriff told us this morning that the only reason they were looking at it was because of its proximity to the short home.

In addition, there have been 15 to 20 people out on horseback going through the country side and back up the Short home. We have seen them on hill sides looking down at the ground. This area has been gone over before, but these riders from North Carolina volunteered their services and the sheriff figured why not.

So the interesting development at this point, is the affidavit from the search warrant. In addition, we have got a couple of -- a few nuggets from the press conference this morning. One of them that they are now looking at the Virginia sex offender registry -- for possible leads. Also that the phone line into the Short house appears to have been cut some time before the murders and the apparent abduction of young Jennifer.

Carol, back to you.

LIN: Thank you very much, Jeanne Meserve with some interesting and disturbing details there. The investigation in Collinsville, Virginia.

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