Missing Student from Univ of North Dakota - Page 9

honeychile · #1 12-09-2003, 03:58 PM

I feel like the bearer of bad news, but I'm fortunate enough to have the news on while I'm at work...

The DNA in the car does match Dru's.

stagebear · #2 12-09-2003, 04:57 PM

Knife, blood, suspect linked
Minnesota AP

A knife stained with the blood of Dru Sjodin was found in the car of the man charged with kidnapping the 22-year-old University of North Dakota student, a source close to the investigation told the Minnesota AP on Monday. DNA testing of blood found on the knife is "very accurate" and indicates that the blood matches that of Sjodin, said the source, who asked not to be identified. "There is a lot of strong physical evidence in that car," the source said, referring to the 2002 Mercury Sable that belongs to suspected kidnapper Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., 50. The four-door maroon sedan was impounded by authorities before Rodriguez's Dec. 1 arrest at his mother's home in Crookston, Minn. An investigative source told the Grand Forks Herald that the knife was found in a pool of liquid household cleaner in the wheel well of Rodriguez's car. The interior of the car and the trunk obviously had been extensively cleaned, that source told the Herald. Authorities have also said a knife sheath was found near Sjodin's car in the parking lot of the Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, N.D., where the Pequot Lakes, Minn., native was last seen Nov. 22 as she left work. The Pioneer Press reported Friday that blood had been found in Rodriguez's car that could very well be Sjodin's. Evidence in the case, sealed by a judge in the wake of Rodriguez's arrest, is expected to be released today. Rodriguez is a convicted rapist who was released from prison in May after serving 23 years for stabbing a woman he tried to kidnap on a Crookston sidewalk in 1980. He was registered as a predatory offender, the classification for those believed to be at the highest risk of committing another sex crime. Rodriguez told his attorney last week that he did not kidnap Sjodin, and he has given authorities no help in locating her. He faces a preliminary hearing Feb. 4 and remains in the Grand Forks County jail on $5 million bail. David Dusek, Rodriguez's court-appointed lawyer, has said Rodriguez prefers to remain in jail for his own safety. Minnesota Ap reported Monday that Rodriguez has been driven around the area by investigators but has not provided any useful information. Peter Welte, the North Dakota state's attorney for Grand Forks County, has said repeatedly that his office would not make a deal with Rodriguez in return for information about Sjodin's whereabouts. Welte initially asked a judge to seal the evidence in the case, to protect the investigation and Sjodin's family. But after several media organizations filed briefs to unseal the affidavit of probable cause, Welte said he would not oppose making it public. Dusek said he would decide today whether he would object to the unsealing of the affidavit. District Judge Lawrence Jahnke said Monday that his decision would be made shortly after noon today. Rodriguez's sister Illeana Noyes, of rural Crookston, said she spoke to Dusek for about an hour Monday, but she declined to elaborate. Rodriguez has admitted to investigators he was at the mall about the time Sjodin was last seen, but he denied having any contact with her. Sjodin was talking to her boyfriend on her cell phone from the mall parking lot about 5 p.m. on Nov. 22 when she suddenly exclaimed, "Oh, my God!'' and the connection was lost. Rodriguez drove his car to work Monday, Nov. 24, at a construction site in McIntosh, Minn., about 30 miles east of Crookston, said those who worked with him. Investigators searched the car at the job site a day or two before Thanksgiving and impounded it soon after the search, sources close to the investigation told the Herald. Sjodin's disappearance and efforts to find her have generated more than 1,500 tips for Grand Forks police. Despite more than two weeks of searches by as many as 1,700 people at one time, no trace of Sjodin has been confirmed by police. Relatives, friends and some volunteers resumed the search Monday for Sjodin after taking a day off Sunday. The search Monday focused around Alvarado, Minn., about 20 miles north of Grand Forks. Law enforcement officials said they plan to extend their search to areas south of Grand Forks this week. Authorities will ask North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven for assistance in the searches. "What we're hoping for is personnel and equipment," said Grand Forks County Sheriff Dan Hill. "We're certainly not going to slow down on this thing." Grand Forks Police Capt. Mike Kirby said authorities have no reason to believe Sjodin is dead and they will keep searching. "We are committed to this," Kirby said. "The family is out and we will be out." Sjodin's father, Allan, told the Associated Press on Monday that he was shocked to learn that police recovered a knife from Rodriguez's car. But given Rodriguez's history, he said, the notion of Rodriguez using a knife was not surprising. "You know what? It's probably true," Allan Sjodin said. "That's his modus operandi." The Dru Sjodin case has also become a political issue in Minnesota because Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced he would seek to restore the death penalty. Minnesota is one of a dozen states that does not impose the death penalty. The state abolished capital punishment in 1911, five years after a dramatically botched hanging, and attempts to reinstate it have failed.

DGMarie · #3 12-09-2003, 05:08 PM

Police confirm blood evidence, say they found Dru Sjodin's shoe
Dave Kolpack and Curt Woodward, Associated Press

Published December 9, 2003 DRU10

GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Hopes of finding a missing college student alive faded Tuesday, as authorities confirmed a preliminary finding of her blood in a suspect's car and revealed that they had found one of her shoes near the Red Lake River.

Dru Sjodin, a 22-year-old University of North Dakota student, has been missing since Nov. 22. Thousands of volunteers have searched for her since.

Grand Forks County Sheriff Dan Hill said he thinks it unlikely that Sjodin is alive.

``I certainly hate to be discouraging to the family or anyone, but it looks to me now that it's more of a recovery mission than a rescue,'' Hill said, in an interview with The Associated Press.

Hill confirmed that investigators made a preliminary DNA match of blood found in the car of a suspect, Alfonso Rodriguez Jr., with DNA taken from Sjodin's toothbrush. Asked how much blood was found in Rodriguez's car, Hill said a small amount. He described it as ``a spattering.''

Searchers look for Dru Sjodin northeast of Grand Forks.Mike ZerbyStar TribuneSjodin's shoe was found early in the week following her disappearance, Hill said, but not revealed until Tuesday. No other clothing has been found, he said.

A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. today. North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty are expected to attend.

An affidavit unsealed later Tuesday had only one new piece of information: Rodriguez's account of his whereabouts at the time Sjodin disappeared. According to the affidavit, Rodriguez told police he was watching a movie, ``Once Upon a Time in Mexico,'' until 7 or 7:30 p.m. Police said the movie wasn't being shown at any theater near Columbia Mall that day.

Sjodin was last heard from as she spoke with her boyfriend via cellphone from a Grand Forks mall parking lot. The call was cut off, but not before Sjodin said something like ``Oh my god,'' according to her boyfriend.

Hill also confirmed other information reported in the case, including the finding of a knife in Rodriguez's trunk that matched a sheath found near Sjodin's car, and that Rodriguez's car and its trunk had been extensively cleaned before his arrest. Prosecutors said earlier they had probable cause to believe Rodriguez was at the mall at the time of Sjodin's disappearance.

Rodriguez, a 50-year-old with a history of violent sexual assaults, was arrested Dec. 1 in nearby Crookston, Minn. He is jailed on $5 million bond, charged with kidnapping.

Rodriguez was interviewed by authorities last week, but has since declined to speak with investigators. He has said through his attorney that he is innocent.

Sjodin's family members did not immediately return calls Tuesday.

On Monday, her father, Allan Sjodin, said he was dismayed to learn a knife had been recovered from Rodriguez's car. But given his criminal past, he said he was not surprised.

``You know what? It's probably true,'' Allan Sjodin said. ``That's his modus operandi.''

Rodriguez has said he wanted to stay in jail because of fears for his safety. He faces a preliminary hearing Feb. 4 and arraignment Feb. 6.

Rodriguez is a convicted rapist who has a history of attempted kidnapping with adult women, and has used a weapon in at least one assault. He was registered as a predatory offender, the classification for those believed to be at the highest risk of committing another sex crime.

Rodriguez was released from a Minnesota prison in May after serving 23 years for an attempted abduction in 1979. In that case, Rodriguez tried to abduct a woman off the street, and stabbed her when she fought back.

GeekyPenguin · #4 12-09-2003, 05:10 PM

This is so awful, but there's still hope for Dru. I'm not giving up hope until we find her. I also just found out that my friend in Phi Tau has a brother who was friends with Dru in high school. Apparently about half their chapter went to go help search.

PsychTau · #5 12-09-2003, 05:15 PM

SigKapKatzue · #6 12-09-2003, 05:44 PM

This is so very sad... I wish the best for her family and everyone else-- the diminishing hope of finding someone that is obviously SO cared about is the saddest thing.

stagebear · #7 12-09-2003, 05:44 PM

a large search will take place this friday, saturday, and sunday. north dakota and minnesota guard members and other state law enforcement officers will join the efforts. a news briefing will be given on thursday evening to give more info about the search.

mullet81 · #8 12-09-2003, 05:53 PM

on cnn the sheriff says they don't think they'll find her alive. so sad

mommag2 · #9 12-09-2003, 07:35 PM

I pray that they find Dru, whether it be her remains or God willing her alive somewhere, that way her parents, family,friends, and Sorors can start the healing process. My heart hurts to find out that her blood was found in this so called human beings car. In addition to the death penalty, he should be made to suffer the same way that Dru did.

To all the lovely GPhiB's around the World (especially Dru's Chapter) my prayers and thoughts are with you. May God keep you in the palm of his hands at this most trying time.

To Dru's Parents and Family: My heart goes out to you at this most troubling and trying time. I too am a parent and I cannot even image the pain that you are going through (nor do I ever want to), but remember all the good times and know that Dru will always be with you, looking out for you in all that you do. Dru will be your guardian angel. I know that, that is no consolation and that you would rather have Dru here right now safe and sound by your side (that is my wish for you as well), but please know that our prayers are with you and may God keep you in the palm of his hands tonight and always.

Mommag2 (Tanya Hernandez) and the Ladies of Gamma Alpha Omega-Omicron Chapter

AOII_LB93 · #10 12-09-2003, 10:21 PM

My prayers and hope go out to friends and family of Dru.

Animals like this "man" should be jailed forever or just taken out completely. This POS has already caused pain and suffering for others...justice. ha

mmcat · #11 12-10-2003, 12:29 AM

thoughts and prayers that everyone can have some closure. i pray for a happy ending, but...
north dakota offers a beautiful, but unforgiving winter.
so terribly terribly sad

DGMarie · #12 12-10-2003, 12:36 AM

Terrible stuff. Gives me chills when I read it:

http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/12/09/mi...ent/index.html

Moxie · #13 12-10-2003, 12:44 AM

all i can think when i read these most recent updates is that i hope the suspect DIES

and this is coming from me, a very liberal and often overly compassionate person. however, this man deserves NO compassion. he was in prison already and had the chance to start his life over, but instead [it looks like] he took another. not only may he have taken dru's life, but he's taken something away from all of her friends and family, and from all of us who have followed this story and hoped for a happy ending. he's acted violently toward women in the past and this man needs to be stopped and punished. there is no longer a chance for rehabiliation. it looks as if he has gotten MORE violent. i'm sorry for the rant, but like all of you, i'm extremely upset by this. i STILL hope for a happy ending, but i'm sickened by the existence of this terrible man.

CatStarESP4 · #14 12-10-2003, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Moxie
all i can think when i read these most recent updates is that i hope the suspect DIES and this is coming from me, a very liberal and often overly compassionate person. however, this man deserves NO compassion. he was in prison already and had the chance to start his life over, but instead [it looks like] he took another. not only may he have taken dru's life, but he's taken something away from all of her friends and family, and from all of us who have followed this story and hoped for a happy ending. he's acted violently toward women in the past and this man needs to be stopped and punished. there is no longer a chance for rehabiliation. it looks as if he has gotten MORE violent. i'm sorry for the rant, but like all of you, i'm extremely upset by this. i STILL hope for a happy ending, but i'm sickened by the existence of this terrible man.

My sentiments exactly! I am also a liberal and compassionate human being, but this man isn't even human. I wouldn't say animal either, that would insult all decent nonhuman creatures. He is a monster! They should have locked him up and thrown the key into the deepest point of the the Pacific Ocean. WTF they were thinking!?

GeekyPenguin · #15 12-10-2003, 02:26 AM

Hey guys, there's still a thread for talking about killing the bastard somewhere else in GC, it's linked in this thread.

I still refuse to believe Dru is dead until they find a body. People can bleed a lot and still be okay. I'm going to keep her and her family in my thoughts/prayers, and I think that's what we should focus on.