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California Kidnapper Killed In Idaho, His 16-Year-Old Victim Is Safe
The 16-year-old victim of a kidnapping and the subject of an Amber Alert that went out to cell phones throughout California has been located safely and soundly, while her kidnapper was killed in the Idaho wilderness.
James Lee DiMaggio, 40, was killed around 4 p.m. in a remote area near Cascade, the Los Angeles Times reports. There aren't any details yet about how he was killed, but DiMaggio, who was considered armed and dangerous, was being hunted down by "highly trained, enhanced SWAT teams and law enforcement" including the FBI.
Hannah Anderson, his 16-year-old victim, was safely recovered.
Despite the Amber Alert that got sent out, neither DiMaggio nor Anderson were spotted for days until they made it to the edge of the wilderness in Idaho. Police found DiMaggio's car, though its license plate had been removed, and witnesses reported seeing the pair camping nearby.
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Search crews used helicopters and horses to comb the wild terrain near where Anderson and DiMaggio were last seen. As of this afternoon, there were 150 FBI officials working with more than 200 personnel at the state and local level.
The body of Anderson's 8-year-old brother Ethan was identified last night. It had been burned badly in a fire at DiMaggio's home in Boulevard, California, which is East of San Diego and near the border. His body along with the body of his mother Christina Anderson, 44, were discovered at the torched home earlier this week. DiMaggio was considered a close family friend although friends noted that he seemed to have an inappropriate "crush" on Hannah.
UPDATE 6 p.m.: The San Diego County Sheriff's Department just sent out an alert saying that an FBI agent killed DiMaggio:
As of August 10th, missing Lakeside teen Hannah Anderson rescued and safe in Idaho. Suspect James DiMaggio killed by an FBI agent.
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) August 11, 2013
San Diego County Sheriff William D. Gore told ABC 7 that Hannah's father was "elated" to hear that his daughter was found alive. She's being seen at a local hospital, but she is expected to be reunited with her father flying out Sunday morning.Related:
What's Up With That Amber Alert You Got
Amber Alert Kidnapping Suspect Reportedly Had A 'Crush' On 16-Year-Old
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Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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