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CNN Live Today

Search for Dru

Aired December 10, 2003 - 11:06   ET

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


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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in North Dakota say the missing college senior, in their mind, is probably dead. Her family, though, refuses accept that. We want to talk to with our Jeff Flock, who once again join us live from Grand Forks this morning -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn.

And we wanted to get the perspective of Allan Sjodin, Dru's dad, on that. Tough words uttered by Sheriff Dan Hill of Grand Forks County yesterday. Maybe some thoughts that had been on people's minds, but he said it out loud yesterday. The two of them just met inside the police headquarters. Here, I just want to show you that tape, and just give you a little flavor of the meeting, because Sheriff Hill has indicated he's sorry for what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep up the strength.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You bet. Thanks a lot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLOCK: We are live now with Allan Sjodin. What did ya'll say to each other?

ALLAN SJODIN, DRU SJODIN'S FATHER: Oh, we talked a bit about, you know, his statement yesterday and, you know, he shook my hand and I shook his, and we gave each other a hug and said that, you know, it's a trying time, and I expect that he didn't want us to come out the way he did with that statement. He said it and, you know, he feels remorse for saying it.

FLOCK: You have been nothing if not a realist through a lot of this, willing to take any question head on. Obviously, it's not a great situation right now. I mean, based on seeing all that evidence come out. You were aware of some of that evidence before we were. Is there a point at which you say, you know what, yes, we need to give up hope here? and what point is that?

SJODIN: The hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back. When I have Dru back, then I can go one way or the other with it.

FLOCK: As we look at, perhaps, Mr. Rodriguez's car, we know now that your daughter's blood was found in that car. That isn't enough for you to say boy, I think she's gone?

SJODIN: No, it isn't. You know, it's evidence. It points that -- you know, points to Mr. Rodriguez. But no, it is not enough evidence in my mind to say that Dru is gone.

FLOCK: You got the National Guard coming in this weekend. They're going to make another big search. You have been going yourself with your family members -- I look at your face. Your face is red. I know you may be coming down with the flu, is that right?

SJODIN: I have been ill for about 24 hours, but I'm feeling better.

FLOCK: Why are you feeling better?

FLOCK: Just hope, eternal hope.

SJODIN: Mr. Sjodin, you know, I think you know everyone's thoughts are with you, and your strength through this has been great. And I wish you all the best.

Where do you go from here?

SJODIN: We are going to continue to plan our next two or three days of search committees and, you know, make certain that my group of volunteers that have been so steadfast are included.

FLOCK: Yes. I hear that.

Mr. Sjodin, thanks for your time. Appreciate it very much, appreciate it. Allan Sjodin, Dru's dad, not giving up, not here in the blustery cold plains of North Dakota.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Jeff, thank you for that.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired December 10, 2003 - 11:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Authorities in North Dakota say the missing college senior, in their mind, is probably dead. Her family, though, refuses accept that. We want to talk to with our Jeff Flock, who once again join us live from Grand Forks this morning -- Jeff.
JEFF FLOCK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Indeed, Daryn.

And we wanted to get the perspective of Allan Sjodin, Dru's dad, on that. Tough words uttered by Sheriff Dan Hill of Grand Forks County yesterday. Maybe some thoughts that had been on people's minds, but he said it out loud yesterday. The two of them just met inside the police headquarters. Here, I just want to show you that tape, and just give you a little flavor of the meeting, because Sheriff Hill has indicated he's sorry for what he said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Keep up the strength.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You bet. Thanks a lot.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FLOCK: We are live now with Allan Sjodin. What did ya'll say to each other?

ALLAN SJODIN, DRU SJODIN'S FATHER: Oh, we talked a bit about, you know, his statement yesterday and, you know, he shook my hand and I shook his, and we gave each other a hug and said that, you know, it's a trying time, and I expect that he didn't want us to come out the way he did with that statement. He said it and, you know, he feels remorse for saying it.

FLOCK: You have been nothing if not a realist through a lot of this, willing to take any question head on. Obviously, it's not a great situation right now. I mean, based on seeing all that evidence come out. You were aware of some of that evidence before we were. Is there a point at which you say, you know what, yes, we need to give up hope here? and what point is that?

SJODIN: The hope will not be given up on my part until I have Dru back. When I have Dru back, then I can go one way or the other with it.

FLOCK: As we look at, perhaps, Mr. Rodriguez's car, we know now that your daughter's blood was found in that car. That isn't enough for you to say boy, I think she's gone?

SJODIN: No, it isn't. You know, it's evidence. It points that -- you know, points to Mr. Rodriguez. But no, it is not enough evidence in my mind to say that Dru is gone.

FLOCK: You got the National Guard coming in this weekend. They're going to make another big search. You have been going yourself with your family members -- I look at your face. Your face is red. I know you may be coming down with the flu, is that right?

SJODIN: I have been ill for about 24 hours, but I'm feeling better.

FLOCK: Why are you feeling better?

FLOCK: Just hope, eternal hope.

SJODIN: Mr. Sjodin, you know, I think you know everyone's thoughts are with you, and your strength through this has been great. And I wish you all the best.

Where do you go from here?

SJODIN: We are going to continue to plan our next two or three days of search committees and, you know, make certain that my group of volunteers that have been so steadfast are included.

FLOCK: Yes. I hear that.

Mr. Sjodin, thanks for your time. Appreciate it very much, appreciate it. Allan Sjodin, Dru's dad, not giving up, not here in the blustery cold plains of North Dakota.

Back to you, Daryn.

KAGAN: Jeff, thank you for that.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com