Levy memorial planned as police investigate her death

Chandra Levy

SUMMARY:

More than a year after former federal intern Chandra Levy disappeared, her family is planning her memorial service for her on May 28 in Modesto, California. Her skeletal remains were discovered Wednesday by a man walking his dog and looking for turtles in a Washington park. (Full story)

Ingmar Guandeque, convicted of assaulting two women in Rock Creek Park, where Levy's remains were found, now faces scrutiny from investigators in the Levy case. (More on Guandeque)

UPDATE:

Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey called Guandeque "one of many suspects." He said police spoke with him last summer and are "very interested" in talking to him again. But Ramsey cautioned against jumping to conclusions about a possible connection to Levy case.

Ramsey said Levy's remains were identified through dental records and that the medical examiner's probe into the "manner and cause of death" was still pending. Levy was last seen April 20, 2001.

A source close to Rep. Gary Condit, D-California, who was the subject of intense police scrutiny because of his relationship with Levy, said Condit was "genuinely sad" about Levy's death. But the source said Condit was frustrated with the police's handling of the case. "The D.C. police handled it so poorly. They were so focused on him they ignored reasonable leads," the source said. (More on Condit)

The source said the discovery of Levy's body is seen as "a chance to finally get him exonerated" of suspicions that congressman is connected to Levy's disappearance and death. "Our only fear is there won't be enough forensic evidence to clear him," said the source.

Summary Update Key questions Who's who Impact  CNN NewsPass Video    •  Chandra Levy case a homicide  MORE STORIES   •  Chandra Levy death ruled a homicide   •  Attorney: Condit would welcome police interview   •  Transcript: Chandra Levy's brief life remembered  RESOURCES   •  People in the News: Chandra Levy   •  Fact Sheet: Chandra Levy's remains found   •  Timeline: Disappearance and investigation   •  Key players   •  Map: Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C.

Levy family attorney Billy Martin said Wednesday that the discovery of her body "brings some resolution to this ordeal" for her family, but he said it does not solve the mystery. Martin said the family would continue to go forward with its investigation and to work with authorities. He said the family expected the case would shift to a homicide investigation.

KEY QUESTIONS:

How did Chandra Levy die?

What physical evidence did investigators find in Rock Creek Park?

What will forensic tests reveal about her death?

Why wasn't Levy found when investigators searched the park last summer?

Where will the investigation go now that Levy's remains have been discovered?

WHO'S WHO:

Chandra Levy: Former intern with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, who was last seen alive on April 30, 2001. The case attracted national attention because of her relationship with Rep. Gary Condit. Her skeletal remains were discovered in a Washington park on May 22, 2002.

Rep. Gary Condit: Democratic congressman, whose district includes Levy's hometown of Modesto, California. Police sources have said he told them he had an affair with the then-24-year-old, but he has never acknowledged the relationship and said they were close friends. The 53-year-old married grandfather denied any involvement with Levy's disappearance.

Robert and Susan Levy: Chandra Levy's parents. The Levys have been extremely critical of Condit and said they don't think he has told investigators everything he knows about the case.

Billy Martin: Levy family attorney

George Arata: Levy family friend and attorney

Judy Smith: Levy family spokeswoman

IMPACT:

The Chandra Levy case captivated the American public in the summer before the September 11 attacks. Condit was never named as a suspect in the case, but the fallout damaged his political career. Condit was defeated by State Assemblyman Dennis Cardoza in the Democratic Primary.