Skeletal remains found; police investigating whether they are Chandra Levy’s

By Mark Sherman

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – A skull and other human bones were found in a park early Wednesday and police are trying to determine whether they are the remains of Chandra Levy, the 24-year-old former intern who disappeared more than a year ago.

Deputy police chief Terrance W. Gainer said preliminary work done by investigators indicates the bones are a woman’s.

Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey said police “are certainly looking into the possibility” the remains are Levy’s. However, he stressed forensic testing is needed to positively identify the remains. That could take anywhere from hours to days.

The bones and bits and pieces of clothing were found in more than one location in thick woods on the western edge of sprawling Rock Creek Park by someone walking a dog around 9:30 a.m., Ramsey said. He declined to say whether other evidence was found, noting the scene still was being examined.

Gainer said the bones apparently had been in the area for a long time.

Police interest in the discovery was heightened by evidence they found last year on Levy’s laptop computer that she searched a Web site for the park’s Klingle Mansion on May 1, 2001, the day police believe she vanished.

The bones were found about a mile north of the mansion and about four miles away from Levy’s apartment. Friends have said Levy frequented the 1,754-acre park, located in northwest Washington.

Police searched the park repeatedly in the first few months after the former U.S. Bureau of Prisons intern disappeared but never found any evidence they could link to Levy.

Levy’s case drew national attention because of her connection to her hometown congressman, Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif. During the third of four rounds of questioning, Condit told police that he and Levy were having an affair, according to a police source.

Condit acknowledged a phone conversation with Levy two days before she disappeared but has denied any role in her disappearance. Police repeatedly have said he is not a suspect.

Condit, who lost his re-election bid in the Democratic primary in March, had no immediate comment on the discovery of the remains and participated in usual House duties Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Robert and Susan Levy met with police when they were in Washington to mark the one-year anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance. At the time, police told them they had no new leads in the investigation, which remains a missing person case.

Ramsey said he telephoned the Levys at their home in Modesto, Calif., to tell them of the discovery and described them as distraught. But, he said, “They’re still holding out hope.” Billy Martin, the Levys’ Washington-based lawyer, said they would have no comment until more is known about the remains.

Washington’s medical examiner was on the scene and dogs that search for human remains also are being used, Gainer said. Ramsey said the medical examiner would check Levy’s dental records, along with other physical evidence police have accumulated during their investigation, to see if it matches the remains.