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Investigators Find Letters From Hannah Anderson, More Creepy Evidence At Kidnapping Suspect's California Home
Hannah Anderson stands in front of a photo during a memorial service at the Guardian Angels Catholic Church for her mother Christina Marie Anderson and brother Ethan Anderson August 24, 2013 in Santee, California.
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Howard Lipin
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PoolPool/Getty Images
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Investigators have searched the home of the late James Lee DiMaggio for clues about why he allegedly kidnapped the 16-year-old daughter of his best friend and killed her mother and brother. Up until now, authorities have stayed tight-lipped about what they believe might be the motive for DiMaggio's alleged murders and kidnappings. But more details are emerging about what was found at DiMaggio's home in Boulevard, California—a few hours east of San Diego near the Mexico border—and how his two alleged victims were killed.
A search warrant and affidavits reveal a long list of items discovered at DiMaggio's home: handwritten letters from his kidnapping victim Hannah Anderson, a handcuff box, incendiary devices, a gas can, rolls of duct tape, used condoms, ammunition, an arson wire, camping gear and a map of Yosemite. The court documents didn't say whether any of those were used in DiMaggio's alleged crimes, according to CNN.
And law enforcement isn't commenting on them. "Many portions of this investigation cannot be discussed. Sorry this is one if them," San Diego Sheriff's Department spokesperson Jan Caldwell told CNN.
The letters are an interesting detail, because of the strange relationship between the 40-year-old DiMaggio and the 16-year-old Anderson. DiMaggio was called "Uncle Jim" and he was close to the Anderson. He would drive Hannah and her 8-year-old brother Ethan to cheerleading and football practices respectively.
But family friends and Anderson herself have said that DiMaggio harbored an inappropriate "crush" on her. He had recently taken Anderson on multi-day trips to Hollywood and Malibu, according to the Associated Press. Anderson told users on Ask.fm that she never complained about this to her family, because she didn't want to meddle in the relationship between her father and his best friend. She also said that she wasn't allowed to discuss whether she had been raped when DiMaggio kidnapped her.
The DNA swab test kit was recovered from the the car of Hannah's mother Christina Anderson, the New York Daily News reported.
The investigation has also recently revealed that on the day that Hannah's mother Christina Anderson, her brother Ethan and even the family dog were killed, DiMaggio made 13 phone calls to Hannah before picking her up from cheerleading. Evidence shows that Christina and Ethan were both tortured before they were murdered. Christina's body was found next to a crow bar. Ethan's body was found in the rubble of his burning home. The dog was found shot to death in a sleeping bag, according to the Associated Press.
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Yesterday was Anderson's first outing (not counting her prolific activity on Ask.fm and Instagram). The community held a fundraiser for the family at the Boll Weevil restaurant near her former home in Lakeside. Media wasn't allowed in the restaurant, though they clustered outside.
Hannah's father Brett Anderson told reporters: "Hannah sends her love. She’s doing good day by day, and we’ll just keep moving forward from here."
UPDATE 8/17: Hannah Anderson Did Not Conspire With Her Kidnapper, Sheriff Says
Related:
Father Of San Diego Kidnapper Was Also Dangerously Obsessed With A 16-Year-Old
Amber Alert Kidnapping Suspect Reportedly Had A 'Crush' On 16-Year-Old
Kidnap Victim Hannah Anderson Didn't Know Her Mother And Brother Were Dead
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