Murder-kidnap suspect James DiMaggio has been killed in Idaho, and missing California teen Hannah Anderson has been recovered safely, police confirm.
San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said that James Lee DiMaggio, 40, was shot and killed shortly before 4:30 PM Pacific time. Hannah Anderson was found nearby after the gunfire killed her captor, and Gore said she “appears well,” adding:
“[Brett] Anderson, the father, has been notified. Obviously, he is elated that we found his daughter alive and plans are being made to reunite him with his daughter hopefully tomorrow morning.”
Yesterday, the body of 8-year-old Ethan Anderson was positively identified after it was discovered alongside the body of the children’s mother Christina. The boy’s remains were burned beyond recognition.
After the identification was made, father Brett Anderson — who was separated but not divorced from his wife — pled with DiMaggio to return Hannah.
Anderson said:
“Let her go, you’ve taken everything else.”
Gore said that Hannah’s father was “very relieved and very excited and looking forward to be reunited with his daughter.”
Authorities held a press conference to disclose some details of the shooting death of James DiMaggio and the rescue of Hannah Anderson, but said that due to an ongoing investigation involving the death of DiMaggio, little could be said about the rescue.
FBI representatives at the James DiMaggio shooting press conference say that the Idaho portion of the investigation is “wrapping up,” as a special investigative team moves in to examine the capture. It was not clear whether or not DiMaggio fired on agents, and the FBI says the teen and her captor were spotted from “the air.”
