New Lakeside Vigil Set for Friday Night for Hannah Anderson

Hannah Anderson's family and loved ones invite the community to join in another vigil for her at 6:30 p.m. Friday as authorities cling to hope that new sightings in Idaho bode well for the missing Lakeside teen's recovery.

They will gather at Lindo Lake County Park, 12660 Lindo Lane, near the ball fields, said Jennifer Willis, aunt of the late Christina Anderson. 

The vigil comes just hours after local investigators announced that hikers in a deeply remote area of Idaho had encountered a girl resembling Hannah as recently as Wednesday and that she looked well.

A man accompanying her fit the description of Jim DiMaggio, who is accused of killing Hannah's mother, Christina Anderson, 44, and possibly her brother Ethan, 8. 

On Friday morning, law enforcement officials also recovered a Nissan Versa, with plates removed and obscured by brush, that is the vehicle that was the subject of days of searches on highways in four states.

Family members also have released a photo of Hannah, 16, in which the teen appears fresh-faced and free of makeup, as she is likely to be after days away from home and in an area that Sheriff Bill Gore described as “extremely difficult terrain to navigate.”

The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is northeast of Boise and surrounded by several national forests, including the Payette, Salmon-Challis and Nez Perce National Forests.

VisitIdaho.org describes the area as “the largest single wilderness in the lower 48 states.”

DiMaggio is said to be an avid outdoorsman who investigators believe planned and prepared for the situation that led to Hannah's disappearance. He recently shopped for tents and backpacks, for instance. 

The new gathering at Lindo Lake follows a Tuesday vigil at El Capitan High School that drew hundreds of supporters of Brett Anderson, the children's father, who attended.

Anderson and the girl's aunt and grandparents say they are mystified how a trusted family friend like DiMaggio could be responsible for the deaths and a kidnapping, but have urged him to release Hannah – or for her to flee if she has a chance.

Though Ethan still is being sought, the family has said they are all but certain he is the child who was found in the wreckage of DiMaggio's home Sunday when Christina Anderson's remains were recovered.

Though the mother has been positively identified detectives have said more tests are needed to be sure of the boy's identity.