Crime & Safety

Mother Killed Via Blow, Possibly by Crowbar, in Amber Alert Case

"You've taken my heart and soul," Christina Anderson's mother says to suspect Jim DiMaggio, who remains at large as the search for him extends to three more states.

More loved ones are calling for Lakeside teen Hannah Anderson's return as details emerge about how her mother was allegedly killed by suspect – and trusted friend – Jim DiMaggio.

The Los Angeles Times cited a source who said Christina Anderson, 44 –known as Tina to her friends and family – died from a blunt-force injury that may have the result of a blow from a crowbar.

Authorities found her body and that of a young boy Sunday in a burning home in Boulevard, in rural southeast San Diego. Though Anderson, who grew up in La Mesa, has been positively identified, the boy has not, pending DNA testing. 

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A statewide Amber Alert for Anderson's children, Hannah, 16, and Ethan, 8, has been extended to three other western states, Oregon, Nevada and Washington.

The suspect is said to be an avid outdoorsman who may have access to explosives. 

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The family's public appeals have focused on recovering Hannah, however, and loved ones have said they believe the dead child pulled from the Boulevard home is Ethan.

Signs are now displaying DiMaggio's vehicle information – Nissan Versa, California plate  6WCU986, on Washington highways and numerous tips have been received, according to the report, but have yet to pan out. 

A San Diego sheriff's captain told the Associated Press that the Oregon leads appear “very credible.”

Meanwhile, Tina Anderson's mother, Sara Britt, joined in the public pleas for Hannah's safe return, talking to 10News.com.

"You've taken our heart and soul, you've taken my only child – please let Hannah go," she said.

A Boulevard teen also told NBCSanDiego.com that though DiMaggio never touched her inappropriately, he tried to hang out with her and got angry when she refused. 

A friend of Hannah's told Santee Patch that the teen had become wary of DiMaggio and that he had left her “creeped out” by his recent overtures.

She had not told her parents but in the wake of Hannah's disappearance, she wonders if she could have been a kidnapping victim.

“I thought it was pretty weird but I didn't think it was a big deal until now," she told the station.


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