Ethan and Hannah Anderson were the subject of a massive search and rescue mission on Tuesday, with police issuing an Amber Alert across all of California and on Wednesday, it was extended to Oregon and Washington state.
WEDNESSAY NIGHT UPDATE: On Wednesday night, Oregon police said an Amber Alert was activated when suspect James DiMaggio’s car–a blue 2013 Nissan Versa with California license plates 6WCU986–was spotted in southern Oregon. DiMaggio is suspected of killing Hannah and Ethan’s mother, 44-year-old Christina Anderson, whose body was found in his burned down house.
KING-5 reported that an Amber Alert was issued in Washington state.
“A vehicle related to the AMBER Alert activation in California is believed to have been spotted Wednesday, August 7, in northern California along Highway 395/299 from Alturas northbound possibly toward Oregon or Nevada,” an alert from police reads.
It added: “At approximately 2:00 p.m. a possible sighting of the vehicle was reported in southern Oregon near Lakeview. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies are on the lookout for the vehicle.”
The Associated Press reported that a friend of Hannah Anderson said DiMaggio told the girl he had a crush on her.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: On Wednesday, Brett Anderson, the father of the two children and husband to Christina Anderson, sent a message to DiMaggio. “I can’t fathom what you were thinking. … Let my daughter go, you’ve taken everything else,” he said.
The suspect, 40-year-old James Lee DiMaggio, is suspected of killing Christina Anderson, 44, and kidnapping both children. Her body was found in the smoldering rubble of a home in Boulevard, located in San Diego County, according to the Los Angeles Times.
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department told 10 News that the search for the children and the suspect was expanded nationwide.
According to the San Diego Union-Times, the body of a child was also found in the burned out husk of a home. Officials did not elaborate on whether the child’s body was one of the victim’s children.
The home belonged to DiMaggio, who lived there alone, the paper said. Officials said a dog’s body was also found there.
They believe that Hannah, 16, and Ethan, 8, were kidnapped by DiMaggio, who drives a blue Nissan Versa. Officials said he might be trying to head to Canada or Texas.
DiMaggio and Anderson were said to be friends but were not involved romantically.
DiMaggio was described as 5 feet 9, 150 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair.
Hannah is 5 feet 7, 115 pounds, with a bellybutton ring, pierced ears, a nose stud, and has blond hair and blue eyes.
Ethan is 4 feet 11, weighs 64 pounds, and has sandy blond hair.
DiMaggio’s ex-wife, who was not named, told 10 News that he was introverted and liked to play video games. She said they got a divorce in 2003 because he grew distant.
Police say that anyone who sees DiMaggio should not try to detain or confront him but should call 911. It is unclear if he is armed, but burned weapons were found in his home.
