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CNN Saturday Morning News

Lack of Leads Frustrates Search Efforts in Salt Lake City

Aired June 08, 2002 - 09:10   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: Well, the lack of leads is causing frustration in Salt Lake City as the search for a kidnapped 14-year- old girl enters its fourth day.

More now from CNN's James Hattori. He joins us live from Salt Lake City.

Hello again, James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Kyra.

Three and a half days after the kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, investigators apparently are no closer to solving this crime than they were Wednesday morning, that's despite the -- receiving thousands of tips and a $250,000 reward for her safe return.

Now, this was to be a weekend of celebration for the Smart family. Elizabeth was to have taken part in a graduation ceremony at her middle school yesterday. Instead, it was a tearful event. In Elizabeth's absence, her brother accepted the diploma, and the school set aside a chair, an empty chair, in her honor.

Meanwhile, investigators admit they are frustrated over the lack of a solid suspect and conclusive evidence.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHIEF RICK DINSE, SALT LAKE CITY POLICE: The issue of evidence, have we recovered any evidence to indicate there was somebody in that house? We have evidence that indicates there was somebody in that house. Now, we're not going to discuss what that evidence is, and so you can put that issue to rest.

The issue of who's a suspect and who isn't a suspect, there -- we have not eliminated anybody. As I have said before, the family in this case has been extremely cooperative. They have done everything that we have asked them to do. We are not focusing on the family at this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: Now, the parents, Ed and Lois Smart, are -- have been getting some rest after the initial hours and days of this very stressful situation. In fact, Ed Smart was hospitalized for a time yesterday for exhaustion. He's been released and is back home.

This morning, volunteers will again gather, as they have each morning since the kidnapping, to take part in a search of the effort -- search of the area, rather, scouring the neighborhoods, an effort that so far has turned up nothing of significance -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: James Hattori in Salt Lake City, thank you.

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