Sandra Cantu Investigation Update | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Fresno, Calif. In a Wednesday morning news conference, the Tracy Police spokesman said the investigation is heading in the right direction, but right now said they have not named a suspect in the kidnapping and murder of Sandra Cantu.

More than 15 search warrants have been served during the investigation, including one at the Clove Road Baptist Church Tuesday.

The church is about a block from the mobile home park where Sandra lived. The pastor, Lane Lawless, told reporters police questioned him for three hours and denied he had anything to do with 8-year-old's death. The pastor's wife, Connie, said police removed a telephone, computer and other items from their home.

Sandra's body was found Monday inside a suitcase in a drained irrigation pond north of Tracy. A police spokesperson said officers are not focusing on any one person.

The Tracy police department has about 25 officers on the case. They said they've received more than 1,000 leads.

Police said they have requested the search warrants to be sealed to protect the investigation. They are not releasing any of the results from the searches.

Police have still not received the autopsy report and do not know when it will be completed.

A police liaison is keeping the family informed on the investigation. Officers say they are obviously devastated.

Another news conference is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.