Remains found may be Chandra Levy
May 22, 2002 Posted: 1:05 PM EDT (1705 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Investigators looking into the disappearance of Chandra Levy are checking whether skeletal remains found in Washington's Rock Creek Park are that of the former intern, police sources said.
Police Chief Charles Ramsey said the remains were discovered by a man walking his dog about 9:30 a.m.
"Apparently, the remains have been there for a while," he said, adding there is "a possibility" the remains are those of a female. "My understanding is that the remains are not all in one location."
A law enforcement source said a skull was found.
"We're still processing the scene," Ramsey said.
Levy, a 24-year-old California native, was last seen on April 30, 2001, days after completing an internship with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
A search of Rock Creek Park last summer included the area where the remains were found, Ramsey said. The park is not far from where Levy lived in Washington.
The forested park, established in 1890, consists of roughly 2,000 acres and cuts through some of the city's more upscale neighborhoods. It includes jogging and bicycle paths.
"This is heavily wooded area, very easy to conceal something here," said Ramsey, who described the area as a "very difficult place to search."
Washington police in Rock Creek Park, where remains were found Wednesday
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.
Police handled Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case. Despite hundreds of tips and months spent searching city parks and buildings, they got no firm leads about what happened to Levy.
Police said they did not consider Condit a suspect in Levy's disappearance, and no suspects were ever 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.
In March, hurt by the political fallout from the Levy case, Condit lost the California Democratic primary by a wide margin to state Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza.
An attorney for Levy's parents said Wednesday they would not immediately be making a statement.
Late last month, Levy's parents marked one year since her disappearance with interviews in which they talked about the heartache and hope they feel.
Susan Levy, the young woman's mother, said she doesn't react to incoming 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.
May 22, 2002 Posted: 1:05 PM EDT (1705 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Investigators looking into the disappearance of Chandra Levy are checking whether skeletal remains found in Washington's Rock Creek Park are that of the former intern, police sources said.
Police Chief Charles Ramsey said the remains were discovered by a man walking his dog about 9:30 a.m.
"Apparently, the remains have been there for a while," he said, adding there is "a possibility" the remains are those of a female. "My understanding is that the remains are not all in one location."
A law enforcement source said a skull was found.
"We're still processing the scene," Ramsey said.
Levy, a 24-year-old California native, was last seen on April 30, 2001, days after completing an internship with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
A search of Rock Creek Park last summer included the area where the remains were found, Ramsey said. The park is not far from where Levy lived in Washington.
The forested park, established in 1890, consists of roughly 2,000 acres and cuts through some of the city's more upscale neighborhoods. It includes jogging and bicycle paths.
"This is heavily wooded area, very easy to conceal something here," said Ramsey, who described the area as a "very difficult place to search."
Washington police in Rock Creek Park, where remains were found Wednesday
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.
Police handled Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case. Despite hundreds of tips and months spent searching city parks and buildings, they got no firm leads about what happened to Levy.
Police said they did not consider Condit a suspect in Levy's disappearance, and no suspects were ever 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.
In March, hurt by the political fallout from the Levy case, Condit lost the California Democratic primary by a wide margin to state Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza.
An attorney for Levy's parents said Wednesday they would not immediately be making a statement.
Late last month, Levy's parents marked one year since her disappearance with interviews in which they talked about the heartache and hope they feel.
Susan Levy, the young woman's mother, said she doesn't react to incoming 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.
