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CNN Live Sunday

Search Continues for 14-Year-Old Elizabeth Smart

Aired June 09, 2002 - 17:09   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Now to Salt Lake City, Utah, where the search continues for 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart. She has been missing since the pre-dawn hours on Wednesday, when she was abducted at gunpoint from her own home. CNN's James Hattori is following the investigation; he joins us with the very latest from there. Hi there, James.

JAMES HATTORI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good evening, Fredricka. The weather here in Salt Lake City has turned misty and cold, just as the trail of this crime has become a little bit colder as well. Yet despite that, investigators and volunteers are determined to keep up their efforts in this search, four and a half days after the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart.

Thousands, or rather upward of 1,500 volunteers are turning out here at this hospital. It's an amazing community effort every day, organized by the Laura Foundation out of Texas -- volunteers on the ground, going door to door in the neighborhoods, even pilots flying overhead. A methodical grid search stretching miles in each direction from Elizabeth Smart's house.

Her family remains convinced that Elizabeth is still alive, perhaps being held in the area. Today Elizabeth's aunt read a statement from an anonymous member of the community that seemed to be specifically addressing the kidnapper.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CYNTHIA SMART-OWENS, ELIZABETH'S AUNT: The solution is to halt (ph) your feelings aside and send Elizabeth back where she feels most at home. Let her walk alone where someone can recognize her, and that person will take care of the rest for you.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HATTORI: A somewhat cryptic statement read by Elizabeth's aunt. Of course, police are pursuing what they say have been thousands of tips received. They say there is no solid lead leading them to the answer to this crime, yet it is clear they are pursuing leads at this time, with help from the volunteers that have gathered here every day since the kidnapping occurred.

Now, tonight, Fredricka, a candlelight vigil will be held to show community support for Elizabeth, prayers for her safe and speedy return -- Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: But James, even police are admitting that they are feeling rather frustrated that the leads are not taking them to exactly where they want to go or any more information about Elizabeth.

HATTORI: Exactly. There has not been a breakthrough lead or a suspect. There have been a lot of dead ends. But they are hopeful that there could be a break, there could be a clue arise at any time. And in fact, that could be the case. They could be working on something as we speak without us knowing about it, of course, because things happen that way. But they're hopeful. Sometimes these things take a long time. The family is hoping it will be a short time before they hear something positive.

WHITFIELD: But they are not scaling back because they're frustrated, correct?

HATTORI: I don't think -- at this point, they are committed -- they have committed all of their resources and even resources from neighboring areas to pursue the investigation. And, you know, how long they can keep that up is a good question. But for now, they believe they still have a good chance to find some leads and perhaps solve the crime, so they are going full steam ahead.

WHITFIELD: All right. James Hattori, thank you very much.

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