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CNN Live Today

Police Will Leave up Security Fence Memorial to Slain Oregon Girls

Aired August 27, 2002 - 13:05   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Oregon, prosecutors are seeking an indictment against Ward Weaver now, the man accused of killing two missing girls. Yesterday, authorities confirmed the second body found in Weaver's yard is that of Ashley Pond.
CNN's James Hattori is following that story from Oregon City-- James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

We are again outside of the home of Ward Weaver, where those two bodies were found. As you say, the search here is over, no other significant developments were found on the property. It is now in the hands of investigators and prosecutors, who will present that evidence to a grand jury, and an indictment that will follow thereafter. No firm timetable on that.

If we can pan off here, Jim, we can take a look at the wall here that we have seen so much and talked about a lot. It really is a time of grieving for this community. There must be a couple thousand stuffed animals, hundreds of balloon, candles and notes. It is really is -- I was over there a little while ago. It is difficult to take in and look at. Some of the notes -- some of them, for example, saying, Miranda and Ashley, two girls we never knew, but touched our lives forever -- they'll live forever in our hearts. Ashley, wherever you are, keep dancing. Miranda, the dancing queen. The two girls, of course, were on the dancing team together in school. Another note: We'll always remember our angels of Oregon City.

A lot of these notes coming from youngsters, perhaps the same age or even younger. Another note, Even one loss was too many; now there are two -- of course, referring to the discovery of the second set of remains. Of course, a note that refers to the proximity of this home to the apartment complex where the two girls were kidnapped, one note left saying, It breaks our heart that all they had to do was look -- and the sentiment also, You are in a safe place now where no one can ever hurt you again.

Kyra, very heart-felt sentiments being reflected throughout the community. A time, right now, of very intense grief and solace for the families and the friends of Ashley and Miranda -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: James, you know, we haven't talked a lot about how big this city is. How many people live in Oregon City? I am also curious about that tribute behind you: How far down the road does it go, and is it causing traffic jams? HATTORI: I couldn't give you an exact population for the city of Oregon City. I am guessing it is somewhere -- 20,000, 30,000. But it is actually a suburb of Portland. We are now 15 to 25 miles outside of the city of Portland. So it is kind of a (UNINTELLIGIBLE) community.

This wall itself stretches a good half block. It, oddly enough, abets the police erected to protect the search activities going on at the property. I understand from some colleagues that the fencing people who put it up -- you know, normally, it would be torn down by now, because the search is over, but they plan to leave it up for awhile because it has become such a focal point of emotion and sentiment and condolences for the families. So it will remain up for some time, I imagine, until people can kind of begin to get over what is happening -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: James Hattori, thank you.

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