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CNN Sunday Morning

FBI Finds Human Remains in Oregon

Aired August 25, 2002 - 08:01   ET

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

CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: More now on the search for two missing Oregon girls. It will be several days before we know the identify of human remains that investigators found yesterday. The remains were found on the property of Ward Weaver. He is the self-proclaimed "prime suspect" in the disappearance of Ashley Pond and Miranda Gaddis. Today, investigators are focusing on removing a concrete slab from behind Weaver's home. For the latest, we head to Oregon City, and CNN's James Hattori, who is at the scene now.
James, I know it's pretty early, but they said that the search would begin once again at sunrise.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and that's probably going to be within a couple of hours, Carol. Perhaps you can see behind me Ward Weaver's house where a sort of makeshift memorial has sprung up overnight. Obviously, this is a very sensitive story that has captured Oregon City, much of the state and the nation. Investigators will be back out here later this morning, as you say. We -- that house is on the edge of the apartment complex where Miranda Gaddis and Ashley Pond disappeared separately earlier this year. The grisly discovery came here yesterday after search dogs were once again sent on to this property.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Dogs have been on the property early in the investigation. They have not been in the house early in the investigation. And there's no information now as to actually how long these remains have been in this particular place.

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HATTORI: The human remains, apparently from one single body, were discovered in a shed in Weaver's backward yesterday. They've been turned over to the local coroner. No identification yet.

According to a report in a local newspaper, "The Oregonian," Weaver gave permission to the search in order to, quote, "give the families closure," according to his attorney.

Weaver is acquainted with both the missing girls. They have spent time at his house, according to family members. Weaver was arrested two weeks ago, accused of raping his son's girlfriend. His son later told authorities Weaver had admitted killing the two girls. Now, he has steadfastly up until now denied involvement in the crimes, in the kidnappings. Police have not called him a suspect in the killing, but his ex-wife says that she's long had suspicions about Weaver.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTI SLOAN, WEAVER'S FORMER WIFE: The FBI knew about the suspicions five months ago. I told them about the concrete poured five months ago, and it just seems like I never did any news media with anybody before this, before Ward was put in jail, because I emphasized the importance that I did not trust him and that he is capable of killing -- he tried to kill me before. And that's why before Thursday, I did not interview with anybody whatsoever.

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HATTORI: Now, investigators, as I say, are expected back out here later this morning. They are expected to be focusing on a concrete slab that Weaver constructed in the back of his house. He said at that time to put in a hot tub. It was never put in. Local residents and family members have had suspicions about the concrete slab. Experts are going to come in and use some special imaging equipment to detect -- to try to detect if there's anything down there, and perhaps after that, even dig it up, Carol.

LIN: All right, thank you very much, James Hattori, reporting live from Oregon City.

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