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CNN Live Today

Search Continues in Site Where Missing Oregon Girl's Body Was Found

Aired August 26, 2002 - 12:00   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: First this hour, the case of two missing Oregon teenagers. One girl's body was recovered over the weekend. Another set of remains found nearby have not yet been identified, but police say their number one suspect is behind bars.
CNN's James Hattori joins us from Oregon City with more.

Hi -- James.

Hello, Kyra.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Investigators and forensic experts are gathering at the home of Ward Weaver, here in Oregon City, for a third day of searching the property. They don't expect to find any more human remains after discoveries this weekend, but they want to be thorough and check all the property out. And just a few moments ago, we saw a (UNINTELLIGIBLE), and we saw a medical examiner's van. We are expecting a briefing from investigators within the hour or two. We'll have an update for you then.

But yesterday, the second set of human remains was discovered on the property of Ward Weaver, contained in a barrel buried beneath a concrete slab in his backyard. Those remains have not been identified, but it is presumed when they are, they will be those of Ashley Pond, one of the two missing girls.

Also announced yesterday was the positive identification of the first set of remains, which were found in a shed in Ward's backyard Saturday. By dental records, they were identified to be those of Miranda Gaddis, the second missing girl. The two 13-year-olds were kidnapped in separate incidents from an apartment complex just within a block or so from this house in January and march.

Weaver was an acquaintance with both girls. They were friends with his daughters. They spent time at his house. At one point, Weaver was accused of actually sexually molesting Ashley Pond, but no charges were filed as result of that. He is already in custody on an unrelated rape charge, accused of raping his son's girlfriend. Charges in this case are still pending until the investigation is wrapped up and until all the evidence is collected here on the scene.

If you take a look at the chain-link fence which police erected to protect the crime scene, it has become really a makeshift memorial for the two girls. You can see teddy bears, candles, and pictures of Ashley and Miranda and personal messages of condolences from friends and neighbors and perfect strangers that have come to reflect on this site.

And Kyra, if yesterday was any indication, we expect even more. You probably can see a couple of people are already gathered at the fence, and we expect that this will be another site for the community to gather today as well.

And Kyra, one other thing I will mention. There was a lot of talk of how this is so close to the apartments where the girls went missing. It has been eight months since the first one went missing. One of the notes I noticed there yesterday said, It breaks our heart that all they had to do was look. A lot of personal messages on that wall -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: No doubt.

James, I'm curious too, because of the time span, I am wondering are homicide detectives going into unsolved cases now, a number of unsolved cases, seeing possibly if indeed this suspect could be linked to other missing persons or other murders.

HATTORI: Well, they probably are looking into that, but in their words, they think that the case is resolved. I think that is one of the reasons why they are doing a thorough search and going on with the rest of the property, to make sure beyond any reasonable doubt that there is anything else there. They say they do not think there is, but they are going to go the extra mile to look. I am not aware of any particular cases that are outstanding that they suspect may be connected -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: James Hattori, from Oregon City. Thanks, James.

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