Presser on KATU.
No questions tonight.
Police Chief in the last several hours we have arrested
Jonathon Daniel Holt for murder of WH.
At appx. same time investigators found her body on Larch Mountain.
Early in recovery and investigation of body. No more details.
How arrived at arrest:
before 1 pm Tues PD responded to Walmart found car.
By two pm forensics
by 330 canvas of area.
found some of WH personal affects in Walmart dumpster.
Later that day found more of her items in a dumpster at a nearby shopping center.\
Evidence showed Car traveled east after disappearance.
Search team found items near Dodge Park
Crime team and state inv called in
Wed am:
canvassing began in apt complex collected video surv tapes, search at Dodge
Church search team found lic plate on Larch mtn
PD responded to Larch mtn and did more searching for evidence
Got info leading to Holt. He came in voluntarily for interview.
Holt lived in complex and was friend of WH and husband.
Thurs:
More evidence from car
2nd interview with Holt
lots of inconcistancies.
Dna and fingerprints taken from Holt
Afternoon found cell phone
Addtl evidence that narrowed it to holt
Early today:
forensic results pointed to holt
search on Larch Mtn
Holt came to pd for another interview.
Holt was arrested at that time.
About that time body was found.
Family notified.
Proud of team of PD and assistance by all teams involved.
Investigators have worked around the clock, heart & souls into case.
Mayor:
Community shaken
Sympathy to family.
Deeply sorry for their loss.
Give family space and support to grieve.
Fear and anxiety in communtiy.
Whitney represented all of our wives daughter sis friends loved ones.
Cases like this show this big city but woven tightly like small town.
Lots of tips and leads.
Tragedy but thank you for all that worked so hard to bring in suspect.
We searched for Whitney (choking up) as if she were our own family.
Family;
words cannot express the sadness.
This has been the most traumatic thing to happen to us.
Not only to her family but also to her spiritual family
Loving, loved by all. No enemies. More than photo or new story.
Wife daughter sis friend coworker.
touched all she met. Warm kind. All you want in a friend aqct or family.
We received many calls and messages from all over the world.
Love, compassion. Good qualities.
Offer help support and prayers.
We can't thank indivually but we want to thank you all.
We sinc appreciate the love and support.
We would be remiss if we didn't thank LE. They have been warm compassionate loving
Made us feel like this is their daughter, sis friend.
We wanted happy conclusion, but it is not.
We will heal because of our love for each other and the support we haave.
We want to thank the media - respectful, not pushy or forceful. Kind and understanding.
We know media coverage from day one really assisted in helping all to rally together to find Whitney. I wish it would have been different
Allow us to grieve in privacy our loss and heartache is too much to bear right now.