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CNN Live Today
Second Set of Human Remains in Oregon May Be Missing Teenager
Aired August 26, 2002 - 13:02 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Months after two teenage girls vanished in Oregon, the mystery into their disappearances is unraveling. Yesterday, the body of 13-year-old Miranda Gaddis was discovered in a neighbors yard, and today an autopsy could confirm whether a second set of remains are that of her friend, Ashley Pond.
CNNs James Hattori joins us now from Oregon City with the latest from there -- James.
JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Thats right, Kyra. Hopefully, the months of uncertainty that the families of those two girls will soon come to an end, if not already. Now, we are at the home of Ward Weaver, which has been searched yesterday and Saturday. This will be the third day of searching for forensic experts, and FBI agents are now on the scene. We took some footage just a little while ago.
You can see a back-hoe has been brought in to the site, as well as medical examiners, and they dont expect to find any more human remains on the property, but they are nonetheless going through to complete the search they have started, just to be thorough and -- and also become a bit of a spectacle for the community, as weve seen over the past couple of days folks from the community turning out to bring teddy bears and cards and messages, lighting candles, all in sympathy with the two girls that have been missing for so long.
Now, investigators did find a second set of remains yesterday in a barrel that was buried beneath a concrete slab in Ward Weavers back yard. They have not yet been identified, but they are presumed to be those of 13-year-old Ashley Pond. Authorities have positively identified that first set of remains that were recovered Saturday in a shed in Wards -- Ward Weavers back yard, as those of Miranda Gaddis. The two girls were kidnapped in separate incidents in January and March. Both were on their way to school.
Weaver was acquainted with both. This house sits at the top of the hill, just above the apartment complex where both girls lived. At one point, Weaver was also accused of sexually molesting Ashley Pond, although no charges resulted from that.
Kyra, Weaver is already in custody. He is being held on unrelated rape charges, accused of raping his sons girlfriend. That case is still pending. Charges in connection with the kidnapping are also pending as they continue to wrap up the evidence and continue to build their case, although investigators say that they do have a case against Mr. Weaver at this point. He is now an official suspect, and we expect to hear later, hopefully on an ID on that second set of remains -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: So, James, Im just curious. A little bit of background here: Obviously, we all know about this story now. We know about Weaver, we know about these two girls. It has become a national story. But previous to what were seeing now, how high profile was -- were these cases of these missing girls? Were there posters up throughout the community for months? Were the parents being very active in trying to find the killer? Or the kidnapper?
HATTORI: As you know -- sure. As you know, these cases date back to January and March. And in a sense, they sort of sparked this whole -- what seems to be a spate of child abductions thats occurred over the last few months. They were one of the first high-profile cases. The parents were attempting to be very high profile at the very beginning.
I was out here at the very beginning, covering the case. After awhile, though, as the investigation dragged on and, of course, it seemed like there wasnt a lot of progress -- Im sure the investigators would say otherwise, that they were going -- taking their time, sifting through leads. They say they had identified Mr. Weaver as one of several suspects they had been looking at in recent months -- Kyra.
PHILLIPS: James Hattori, thank you.
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