Yr after mystery disappearance, Levy’s remains found

‘‘The remains found earlier today are in fact Chandra Levy,’’ Washington Metropolitan Police Chief Charles Ramsey said.

‘‘The manner, cause of death is still pending,’’ he added, noting he was unsure whether she died at the site where the remains were found.

Representatives of Levy’s parents said they believe she was murdered and urged police to continue their investigation.

‘‘We are awaiting the results of the medical examiner and any autopsy that may be performed and we believe that this investigation, this death investigation, will turn into a homicide,’’ attorney Billy Martin said in a televised statement from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

‘‘We will continue, along with the police, our investigation to find the person or persons who did this to Chandra,’’ said Martin, a top Washington criminal lawyer hired by the Levys to find their daughter along with a team of investigators.

Thousands of people disappear in the US every year but Levy’s case drew national attention for her relationship with Condit, a California Democrat who has not divulged publicly how close their relationship had been.

Condit, who police have said is not a suspect in Levy’s disappearance, lost a Democratic primary earlier this year, in part because of the perception he had not told everything he knew and might have hindered the investigation.

Shortly after Levy’s remains were identified, Condit issued the following statement through Los Angeles attorney Mark Geragos: ‘‘Congressman Gary Condit and his family want to express their heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the Levy family. The Levy family will remain in our prayers.’’

Police, who were criticised last year for failing to pursue the case vigorously enough, searched more than 1,700 acres of the park after Levy disappeared on May 1, 2001.

Ramsey said the body was found because the man who discovered it had been walking in a more remote area. He found the skull in some underbrush.

‘‘The remains were exposed to the elements for some time so obviously there’s some disruptions that take place,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s a lot of work that is yet to be done. The medical examiner’s determination as to the manner and cause of death is still pending,’’ he added, noting that the police department’s violent crimes division would take over the probe.

Levy was last seen working out at her gym on April 30, 2001, and police believe she spent much of the morning of May 1 surfing the Internet and shopping for an air ticket home to California to receive a graduate degree.

When police searched her apartment, they found her wallet, computer and luggage packed at the door. Only her keys were missing.

The discovery of the remains dominated US cable news coverage for the first time since the summer days of 2001, when TV camera crews followed Condit’s every step around Washington and speculation grew to fever pitch about Levy’s fate.

Interest in the case evaporated after the Sept. 11 attacks on New York and Washington that killed more than 3,000 people.

A grand jury has been meeting over Levy’s disappearance, trying to decide whether anyone should be charged.

Some have speculated Levy was the victim of a serial murderer stalking the city’s Dupont Circle area.

Speaking outside the Levys’ home in Modesto, California, family spokesperson Judy Smith said the parents learned that the remains had been identified from Washington police. ‘‘It’s very emotional; it’s very tough,’’ said Smith. ‘‘Certainly, no parent ever thinks that they would bury their child.’’