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American Morning

Friend of Chandra Levy Discusses Her Disappearance

Aired July 04, 2001 - 10:34   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: Missing intern Chandra Levy is back in the news once again in light of a flight attendant who now has come out making claims that Congressman Gary Condit asked her to lie about a relationship that she said she was having with the Congressman.

This does bring Chandra Levy back in the news again. And we have a chance now to talk with one of her friends. Matt Szabo is a friend of Chandra Levy. He attended the same graduate program at the University of Southern California. And Matt Szabo is in our Los Angeles bureau this morning.

Matt, good morning. Thanks for joining us.

MATT SZABO, FRIEND OF CHANDRA LEVY: Good morning.

KAGAN: Tell us a little bit more about how you and Chandra know each other.

SZABO: Well, Chandra and I were classmates. And we became to be good friends when she was here in Los Angeles for the first portion of that graduate program that put her in Sacramento and then Washington in consecutive semesters. We were in the same program. I was supposed to do the same thing she did, but I changed my mind. So we had all of our classes together and studied together. And we just -- we got to be good friends.

KAGAN: So you were thinking about going to D.C. as well for an internship, but instead you choose an opportunity in Los Angeles. Did you guys stay in touch when she moved to D.C., when she was spending her time there?

SZABO: Yes, we've always stayed mostly in touch over e-mail. And I was able to go -- I was able to see her in Sacramento. We went up and took a class. She flew back, actually. And I flew up. And that was the last time that I saw her in person earlier this year.

KAGAN: When was that?

SZABO: That was in -- the class ended in December.

KAGAN: Can you tell us anything that she told you about her life in D.C.?

SZABO: Well, I just know that she really enjoyed it. And every time that I saw her or talked to her, she kept convincing me: "You should really come out -- I love D.C.. I love Washington." So every indication that I had, she was really enjoying it.

KAGAN: Her family has said in different interviews that she was kind of private about her private life, but that she did allude to possible -- a possible relationship. Did she share any of that information with you?

SZABO: No, she didn't. But that's exactly right. Chandra is a very private person. And it didn't surprise me or anyone else that she -- that she didn't divulge all of the details of her relationship. That was not unusual.

KAGAN: That was kind of how she was?

SZABO: Yes.

KAGAN: So that part has come across truthful. But is it kind of strange to see someone you knew so well -- you do know so well -- portrayed in the media? Is there anything that you've seen portrayed about Chandra that just doesn't ring true that you'd like to straighten out for us right now?

SZABO: Well, not that I'd like to straighten out, but it just seems that some of the reports have said that maybe she's a little bit wide-eyed and not very street smart. Chandra is very smart. She knew how to take care of herself. And she knew exactly what she was doing. So whatever happened, I don't think that there's any mistake that she was taken advantage of. She knew how to take care of herself. So whatever happened I'm pretty concerned about.

KAGAN: Of course, Washington, D.C. police say categorically this is not a crime yet. She is still listed as a missing person case, which leaves open the possibility that she could have, on her own, just disappeared. Did she strike you as the kind of person who would do that?

SZABO: You know, out of all of the scenarios that's really the only one that I think is pretty much out of the realm of possibility. I mean, Chandra just -- she just wouldn't do that -- especially not now. She just wouldn't take off and leave her family and everyone else hanging like that. I just can't see that happening.

KAGAN: So knowing what you do know, you're pretty concerned for your friend, I imagine?

SZABO: Well, sure. Absolutely.

KAGAN: Have you been in touch with the Levy family at all?

SZABO: I haven't. I actually haven't -- I never had a chance to meet them. They've been up North. And like I said, I was down here with her so I haven't had -- actually had a chance to meet them.

KAGAN: I'm sure you wish them well and share their concerns as we continue to follow this story. Matt Szabo, thanks for sharing what you know about Chandra Levy. We do appreciate your insight.

SZABO: Thank you.

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