Last updated July 31, 2007 9:31 p.m. PT
Police search Adhahn home, backyard for clues in Jackson case
Sex offender is 'a person of interest'
By CASEY MCNERTHNEY
P-I REPORTER
Lakewood police dug through the backyard and searched a home where Terapon Adhahn lived south of Tacoma, collecting evidence Tuesday that detectives said is part of the investigation into the death of Adre'Anna Jackson.
Lt. Dave Gattu said detectives used hand shovels and found items including carpet that they believe Adhahn buried.
The convicted sex offender pleaded not guilty last month to the kidnapping, rape and murder of 12-year-old Zina Linnik and 11 felony counts related to sexual assaults of two other girls and to failing to register as a sex offender.
"He's still a person of interest," said Gattu, who stopped short of calling him a suspect in the death of Adre'Anna. "Any evidence we collected will add to the evidence we've already gathered."
Tacoma police took a DNA sample from Adhahn, but Gattu would not say whether it has been used in connection to Adre'Anna's case, or specify what other items were taken Tuesday.
Adre'Anna disappeared Dec. 2, 2005, after leaving her snow-covered Tillicum apartment to see if her elementary school was in session. Four months later, the 10-year-old's skeletal remains were found in a field less than two miles from her home.
Adhahn was named as a person of interest in the case July 17 after police said several Tillicum residents had seen him in the area driving a tow truck and working as a handyman when Adre'Anna disappeared.
Police went to the home after talking with Adhahn's former girlfriend Monday.
Adhahn is on suicide watch in the Pierce County Jail, held on more than $7 million bail.
If convicted for Linnik's murder, the 42-year-old Thai immigrant will spend the rest of his life in prison.
P-I reporter Casey McNerthney can be reached at 206-448-8220 or
caseymcnerthney@seattlepi.com.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/325895_adhahn01.html?source=rss