Revival
05-22-2002, 05:13 PM
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The parents of former Washington intern Chandra Levy remain "hopeful" that there daughter is still alive, a family attorney said Wednesday following news that skeletal remains had been found in a park where she was known to jog.
"They're still keeping their hopes up that Chandra is still alive," George Arata told reporters outside the Levy family's Modesto, California, home.
Levy was last seen April 30, 2001, in Washington, just days after completing an internship with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. She was 24 when she disappeared.
Police Chief Charles Ramsey said investigators will perform tests, including a review of dental records, to determine whether the remains found in Washington's Rock Creek Park were Levy's. He said a review of the dental records may result in an identification as early as Wednesday night.
"I don't know how long it's going to take," the chief said. "I'm optimistic that we'll find out sometime today, but then it could take longer."
A man walking his dog and looking for turtles in the park made the discovery about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Ramsey told reporters.
Ramsey said the discovery included a skull and that "bits and pieces" of what appeared to be women's clothing, and early indications "weigh very heavily" that the remains are those of a woman.
"Apparently, the remains have been there for a while," Ramsey said. "My understanding is that the remains are not all in one location."
Park had been searched before
Ramsey said the remains were found in an out-of-the way area of the park. Homicide investigators and a forensic pathologist were combing the area Wednesday afternoon, and Ramsey said the search would likely extend into the night.
Police searched the roughly 2,820-acre Rock Creek Park last summer, including the area where the remains were found, he said. The park is not far from where Levy lived in Washington.
Levy's parents recorded an interview with Oprah Winfrey before receiving news of today's discovery.
The park, which cuts through some of the city's more upscale neighborhoods, includes jogging and bicycle paths. Police said Levy had looked at a Web site that included information about the Klingle Mansion, an 1823 farmhouse now used as park offices, before she disappeared.
"This is heavily wooded area, very easy to conceal something here," said Ramsey, who described the area as a "very difficult place to search." He also said it was possible that the body could have been left in the park after the search.
"We're not going to be in a rush. We're going to take our time."
— Charles Ramsey, Washington police chief
Shortly after Levy disappeared, controversy swirled around U.S. Rep. Gary Condit, D-California. Levy's family said she had a relationship with Condit, a 53-year-old married father of two.
Condit publicly refused to say whether he had a romantic relationship with her, but police sources said he admitted to one during an interview. The case hurt Condit politically, and he lost a Democratic primary challenge in March.
Condit declined to comment Wednesday at the Capitol when asked about the park discovery.
Police handled Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case. Despite hundreds of tips and months spent searching city parks and buildings, authorities turned up no firm leads about what happened to her.
Police said they did not consider Condit a suspect in Levy's disappearance, and no suspects ever were named in connection with the investigation.
Levy's parents said they wanted Condit to meet with private investigators they hired to find their daughter, but he refused.
Ramsey said he talked by phone with Levy's parents several times Wednesday.
"They're upset, they're distraught, but we're keeping them informed," Ramsey said. He said the family was "still holding out hope."
Levy has been missing since April 30, 2001.
Robert and Susan Levy also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show Wednesday in an interview that was taped before the discovery.
"When you are missing a child, you have to maintain your hope unless you know otherwise," Robert Levy said. "We really hope she is alive. Under the circumstances, it doesn't seem likely -- but you know, as parents, we have to maintain hope."
Last month, the Levys marked one year since their daughter's disappearance with other interviews in which they talked about their heartache and hopes. Susan Levy told CNN said she doesn't react to phone calls with much anticipation.
"I would say that I don't think I jump thinking that she's going to be on the other line, but I'm going to tell you ... that I still have faith and hope that Chandra will come back to us alive," she told CNN's Larry King in April.
"They're still keeping their hopes up that Chandra is still alive," George Arata told reporters outside the Levy family's Modesto, California, home.
Levy was last seen April 30, 2001, in Washington, just days after completing an internship with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons. She was 24 when she disappeared.
Police Chief Charles Ramsey said investigators will perform tests, including a review of dental records, to determine whether the remains found in Washington's Rock Creek Park were Levy's. He said a review of the dental records may result in an identification as early as Wednesday night.
"I don't know how long it's going to take," the chief said. "I'm optimistic that we'll find out sometime today, but then it could take longer."
A man walking his dog and looking for turtles in the park made the discovery about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Ramsey told reporters.
Ramsey said the discovery included a skull and that "bits and pieces" of what appeared to be women's clothing, and early indications "weigh very heavily" that the remains are those of a woman.
"Apparently, the remains have been there for a while," Ramsey said. "My understanding is that the remains are not all in one location."
Park had been searched before
Ramsey said the remains were found in an out-of-the way area of the park. Homicide investigators and a forensic pathologist were combing the area Wednesday afternoon, and Ramsey said the search would likely extend into the night.
Police searched the roughly 2,820-acre Rock Creek Park last summer, including the area where the remains were found, he said. The park is not far from where Levy lived in Washington.
Levy's parents recorded an interview with Oprah Winfrey before receiving news of today's discovery.
The park, which cuts through some of the city's more upscale neighborhoods, includes jogging and bicycle paths. Police said Levy had looked at a Web site that included information about the Klingle Mansion, an 1823 farmhouse now used as park offices, before she disappeared.
"This is heavily wooded area, very easy to conceal something here," said Ramsey, who described the area as a "very difficult place to search." He also said it was possible that the body could have been left in the park after the search.
"We're not going to be in a rush. We're going to take our time."
— Charles Ramsey, Washington police chief
Shortly after Levy disappeared, controversy swirled around U.S. Rep. Gary Condit, D-California. Levy's family said she had a relationship with Condit, a 53-year-old married father of two.
Condit publicly refused to say whether he had a romantic relationship with her, but police sources said he admitted to one during an interview. The case hurt Condit politically, and he lost a Democratic primary challenge in March.
Condit declined to comment Wednesday at the Capitol when asked about the park discovery.
Police handled Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case. Despite hundreds of tips and months spent searching city parks and buildings, authorities turned up no firm leads about what happened to her.
Police said they did not consider Condit a suspect in Levy's disappearance, and no suspects ever were named in connection with the investigation.
Levy's parents said they wanted Condit to meet with private investigators they hired to find their daughter, but he refused.
Ramsey said he talked by phone with Levy's parents several times Wednesday.
"They're upset, they're distraught, but we're keeping them informed," Ramsey said. He said the family was "still holding out hope."
Levy has been missing since April 30, 2001.
Robert and Susan Levy also appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show Wednesday in an interview that was taped before the discovery.
"When you are missing a child, you have to maintain your hope unless you know otherwise," Robert Levy said. "We really hope she is alive. Under the circumstances, it doesn't seem likely -- but you know, as parents, we have to maintain hope."
Last month, the Levys marked one year since their daughter's disappearance with other interviews in which they talked about their heartache and hopes. Susan Levy told CNN said she doesn't react to phone calls with much anticipation.
"I would say that I don't think I jump thinking that she's going to be on the other line, but I'm going to tell you ... that I still have faith and hope that Chandra will come back to us alive," she told CNN's Larry King in April.