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CNN Sunday Morning

Police Description of Kidnapper Changes

Aired June 16, 2002 - 10:08   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: Turning now to the disappearance of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart in Utah. Investigators say they have a new piece of that puzzle that could help in the search. CNN's James Hattori joins us now live from Salt Lake City with more -- hi, James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello again, Kyra.

A puzzle, indeed, that investigators have yet to completely sort out. It's not so much perhaps a new piece of the puzzle as a reshaped piece. From the beginning, investigators have said the kidnapper was wearing a white cap when he abducted Elizabeth Smart in the early hours of June 5.

Now they're saying it wasn't so much a cap as a golf hat, and it wasn't white, but rather, tan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DWAYNE BAIRD, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: This hat is identical to that worn by the kidnapper in the case of Elizabeth Smart. It is this style and this color. So it's a golf-type cap, tan in color. This information was developed by our detectives, as I said, this afternoon.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Of course, investigators hope someone might have seen the suspect wearing that cap in the neighborhood surrounding the Smart residence. That's one of the questions volunteers will be asking as they canvass neighborhoods, which is an ongoing process.

But that effort is now shifting somewhat, now being organized at a grassroots level by city officials, community watch groups and churches rather than the centralized effort that we've seen up to now that's drawn thousands of people over the past week and a half.

Police are still looking to question, incidentally, Bret Michael Edmunds, the 26-year-old transient who was spotted driving suspiciously around Elizabeth Smart's house a couple of days prior to her disappearance. And then again he was spotted at a candlelight vigil held for Elizabeth Smart a week ago. He's still not considered a suspect.

In fact, Kyra, on this 11th day of investigation, police seem to have no suspect, in fact, no clear idea of a motive either -- Kyra

PHILLIPS: James, no doubt a difficult day for the family. It's Father's Day. What is the Smart family going to do today?

HATTORI: Well, every indication is that they are going to be laying low today. They have called for this to be a time of prayer in honor of Elizabeth Smart. Obviously, they're still praying very intensely that she is returned home very quickly.

Police in the meantime say they are keeping up their efforts. Still about 100 investigators, including 40 FBI agents, sifting through leads and tips that continue to come into their offices -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: James Hattori, thank you very much.

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