James Lee DiMaggio, 40, was an extremely close friend to the Anderson family of Lakeside, California, but is now the prime suspect in the murder of Christina Anderson and the kidnapping of her two children.
DiMaggio was a close friend of the parents, Brett and Christina Anderson, and then became like an uncle to their two children after they were born. On Sunday, firefighters responded to a call of a fire at DiMaggio’s home in Boulevard, which is about 65 miles east of San Diego and is close to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Firefighters found the remains of 44-year-old Christina Anderson in his home along with the remains of a child, who has not been identified yet. Investigators are still waiting on DNA testing, but believe the child could be 8-year-old Ethan Anderson.
Police now believe DiMaggio purposely started the fire and has abducted 16-year-old Hannah Anderson. According to Associated Press, a friend of Hannah’s said that DiMaggio recently told Hannah that he had a crush on her and wanted to date her.
Hannah was last seen Saturday afternoon. An Amber Alert was issued in the state of California soon after, but has not been successful.
On Tuesday, Brett Anderson pleaded to his friend to turn himself in over a televised news conference.
"You've taken everything," Anderson said, CNN reports. "The damage is done. Just let my daughter go, let her go home safe, let her be with me and try to mend things from there."
Police have an arrest warrant for murder out for DiMaggio and are on a manhunt for the murder and kidnapping suspect.