Intern murder police face fresh criticism

Miss Levy disappeared in May 2001

Investigators working for the family of murdered intern Chandra Levy have discovered a human leg bone and some twisted wire near the site where her remains were found.

Police spent a week combing Washington's Rock Creek Park for further remains, employing crime scene technicians and trained dogs, after a man walking in the park discovered Miss Levy's skull and other bones on 22 May.

It is unacceptable that these items were not located

Police Chief Charles H Ramsey

But on Thursday two private detectives hired by Miss Levy's parents found the leg bone together with a piece of wire only 25 yards (23 metres) from the other remains.

Dr Jonathan Arden, Washington's medical examiner, said it was probably her shin bone - but he was unable to draw any further conclusions about how she died.

Police said they would search the site again to see if they could find other overlooked evidence.

'Unacceptable'

Police Chief Charles H Ramsey said: "It is unacceptable that these items were not located."

"I have directed that this matter be thoroughly reviewed to determine why these items were not originally found."

Commander LoJacono made a public statement after the discovery

Billy Martin, the Levy family's lawyer, also said it was "disturbing" that police did not find the bone and the wire during their search.

The police have already come under criticism for not finding Miss Levy's body when they searched the park a year ago.

The wire which the detectives found was bent and had been formed into two distinct loops.

Commander Christopher LoJacono of the Washington police forensics science division said police were trying to determine if it was used to harm Miss Levy.

It appeared to be the same kind of wire used by the National Park Service to secure trees, said Mr LoJacono in a press statement.

Chandra Levy disappeared on 1 May 2001, shortly after finishing an internship with the US Bureau of Prisons.

The case commanded wide publicity because of her relationship with US congressman Gary Condit.

Mr Condit admitted to an affair with Miss Levy, but said he had nothing to do with her disappearance, and police have said he is not a suspect.