Danielle Van Dam

1994 - 2002

Missing: 2/2/02 Age: 7

 

Seven year old Danielle Van Dam went missing February 2, 2002 from her San Diego, California home. The night prior to her disappearance, her mother, Brenda Van Dam, went out with a group of friends while her husband, Damon Van Dam, stayed home to watch the children eventually tucking each child in personally. Danielle’s parents did not notice Danielle missing till 9 a.m. the next morning, notifying the police.

After the Van Dam’s notified the police, officers began investigation, interviewing the neighborhood. The police then noticed another missing person in the neighborhood, David Westerfield. Westerfield later pulled up in the neighborhood in his mobile home. Having been the prime suspect, Westerfield told police he went to the same bar Brenda had attended with friends the previous night. Brenda gave reassurance that Westerfield, indeed, was telling the truth. Later, Westerfield was spotted dropping off a comforter and jacket to a local dry cleaning which gave proof of containing Danielle’s blood. He also gave a thorough interior cleaning to his mobile home. With these significant pieces of proof, police arrested Westerfield for the murder of Danielle on February 22, 2002. Five days later, Danielle’s body was found. Her cause of death is still undetermined due to body’s partial decomposition. On August 27, 2002, Westerfield was found guilty for the abduction and murder of Danielle Van Dam, and he is currently on Death Row at San Quentin State Prison in California.