Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
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.
Support for LAist comes from
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
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist