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CNN Sunday Morning

Human Remains Found at Oregon Man's Home

Aired August 25, 2002 - 11:02   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now, back to our top story -- it could be days before the human remains found at an Oregon man's house are identified. CNN's James Hattori is in Oregon City, keeping track of the latest developments in an ongoing search for two missing 13-year-old girls. Hi, there, James.
JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka. The man at the center -- at the apparent center of this investigation, Ward Weaver, has a father who was on death row in California. Among his crimes, he is convicted of killing a woman and burying her in his backyard. Today, in a bizarre, strange turn of events, authorities are expected to dig up Ward Weaver's backyard, including a concrete slab that he installed several months ago to see if there are any bodies buried there.

Now, already one set of human remains was discovered, yesterday, in a shed behind Weaver's home. Those remains have not been identified, but there's growing speculation that it could be those of Ashley Pond or Miranda Gaddis, two teenagers kidnapped separately from an apartment complex right next door to Weaver's home.

Now, Weaver is acquainted with both girls; they're friends with his daughter. Officials say he was accused of sexually molesting one of the girl, Ashley Pond, though no charges were filed.

One of Weaver's ex-wives says she raised suspicious about Weaver early on.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTI SLOAN, WEAVER'S EX-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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Now, Weaver is in custody, apparently in connection with an unrelated rape. He has stated publicly that police told him that they consider him a suspect in the kidnappings. He's also stated previously that he was not involved. However, yesterday, Weaver's attorney told a local newspaper, "The Portland Oregonian" that Weaver consented to the search of his property yesterday and today in order to bring, quote, "closure" to the missing girls' families -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, James Hattori from Oregon City, thank you.

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