Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Manhunt Under Way for Kidnapper, Murderer of Samantha Runnion

Aired July 17, 2002 - 14:02   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to southern California, a kidnapping case has become a manhunt for a murderer. Within the past hour, authorities confirmed a family's worst fears, that the body of a child that was their child, Samantha Runnion.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez is in the town of Stanton, where the little girl was snatched from her front yard -- actually, her grandmother's front yard. Thelma, what more can you tell us?

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Kyra, I can tell you that an FBI behavioral science team is here from Washington, D.C. They are here to assist local authorities, and they have put together a very chilling profile of the suspect. They say this man is possibly a serial killer or serial rapist, who has done this before and will likely do this again, they perhaps within 24 hours or within the next several days.

And they say that based on the profile, they were able to establish this man, who has slicked-back, black hair and a thin mustache, and who is described by authorities as Hispanic or Latino, because of his speech pattern, though they would not elaborate on that.

They say he is an ongoing risk. That he is -- he not only kidnapped and sexually assaulted and murdered 5-year-old Samantha Runnion, but that he left a tremendous amount of physical evidence behind. He left her nude body in a visible area in Riverside County, and it was carefully positioned as if to say -- quote -- "It is calling card. Come and get me, I am here." Authorities said that today to us.

They also said that they are convinced that the perpetrator is watching the media reports, and so they sent a message to him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SHERIFF MIKE CARONA, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: We need the public's continued involvement in this. We believe the individual or individuals who committed this crime probably are watching. You have to understand, don't sleep, don't eat, because we are coming after you. We will take every resource that's available to us to bring you to justice.

(END VIDEO CLIP) GUTIERREZ: Samantha Runnion would have turned 6 years old in nine days. Her family is here. They are in seclusion.

And, Kyra, the sheriff had said that it was the grandmother who actually had to identify Samantha off of the crime scene photographs since Samantha was actually here. She was being cared for by her grandmother while her parents were away at work at the time that she was abducted -- back to you.

PHILLIPS: Now, Thelma, there is such a lesson here about paying attention to our children and knowing exactly where they are at all times. I know that the sheriff from Orange County is coming out and asking the whole community to be much more aware, and to pay attention to characteristics of people with whom they work or live.

What more can you tell us about that? And have you gotten any reaction from the community yet about how they are going to come together and try and find this man?

GUTIERREZ: Well, Kyra, first of all, in terms of the reaction from some of the people here, one of the mothers had said to us, well, you know you watch your kids, but how young is too young to constantly stand with them and to keep that watchful eye over them? They said that there were about 20 adults here in this common area, where the kids were playing at the time that she was abducted. Unfortunately, Samantha and her friend, Sarah (ph), were playing in an area which was not within the direct line of sight of the adults who were watching that play area.

And in terms of the other question, Kyra, how are people dealing with it. Well, there are volunteer crisis counselors who are here in the neighborhood, and they said that they would help people deal with any of the trauma that they might be experiencing right now.

PHILLIPS: Thelma Gutierrez live from Stanton -- thanks, Thelma.

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