SAN
DIEGO, CA - Judge
William Mudd formally sentenced David Westerfield
Friday. Westerfield was found guilty of kidnapping
and murdering seven year old Daniel van Dam in February
of last year. Daniel's parents, Brenda and Damen,
addressed the court. Both made emotional pleas describing
their lives without Daniel. The defense raised civil
rights issues regarding police conduct. In the end
Judge Mudd recommended the death penalty.
complete
story below
Missing
7 Year Old Girl
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-3-02) Friends, family and authorities
are looking for a young girl missing from her Sabre
Springs home. Seven year old Danielle Vandam (photo
above left) has not been seen since late Friday
night when her father put her to bed. When he went
to check on her early Saturday morning, the young
girl was missing. Search and rescue teams have been
scouring the area without success. Anyone with information
on the whereabouts of Danielle is urged to call police
at 619-531-2000.
New
Information
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-5-02) Investigators appear to be working
with new information regarding the disappearance of 7 year
old Danielle VanDam. Detectives spent the night Monday searching
a nearby residence and they have also impounded a vehicle
from that residence. Information will be updated as it becomes
available.
Search
Focuses on Neighbor
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-6-02) Investigators appear to have new information
regarding the disappearance of 7 year old Danielle Van Dam.
Detectives spent the night Monday searching a nearby residence.
They impounded property as well as two vehicles from the
house. They also questioned the forty-nine year old single
male owner, David Westerfield. According to SDPD Lieutenant
Jim Collins, Westerfield cooperated with authorities. He
took them to locations in the desert where he said that
he spent the weekend. Lieutenant Collins said that Mr. Westerfield
has not been ruled out as a suspect, but at this point no
charges have been filed.
Search
and rescue personnel continued to look through canyons
and hillsides near the Van Dam home Tuesday(photos
below). The investigation, however, appeared to
focus on Westerfield as a suspect. A shoe (photo
above left) was taken from his home and presented
to a search dog before entering the Van Dam home.
The
photos below are of the Van Dam backyard and show the
sliding glass door reported to have been found open the
morning Danielle was reported missing. Detectives say
this is likely to be the way a possible kidnapper may
have entered the home.
Free
to Go
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-7-02) After spending most of Tuesday
answering police questions and showing investigators
where he spent the weekend, David Westerfield was
allowed to pick up his impounded Nissan Pathfinder.
Officials say that Mr. Westerfield is still a suspect
in the kidnapping, but at this time no charges have
been filed.
Search
Intensifies in Desert
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-8-02) Authorities focused the search
for Danielle Van Dam in the Imperial Valley desert
Thursday. They went to at least two separate locations.
Officers on foot and in the air searched in Glamis,
about 1/2 mile south of the store. The also searched
an area near Anza-Borrego Desert, along S-2. According
to a police spokesperson, officials plan to continue
to search again Friday.
Volunteers
Search
SAN
DIEGO, CA - (2-9-02) Volunteers searched remote
areas near Sabre Springs Friday for missing seven
year old Danielle Van Dam. A group out of Texas
organized the effort. Anyone who would like to assist
is asked to go to the Double Tree Inn on Penasquitos
Drive.
Still
Investigating
SAN
DIEGO, CA - According to a San Diego police news release
Monday afternoon, investigators have no new information
to announce. They continue to follow leads, but at this
point Danielle has not been located and no one has been
arrested in connection with her disappearance.
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