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John Hollenhorst ReportingSCUBA divers have been in the Jordan River all day long, trying to find evidence that might help them crack an old murder case. So far, they're keeping most details secret.
The search is on at 4th South and 1100 West in Salt Lake City. Police are being extremely "mum" about the reasons for the search, but an unofficial police source told it may involve a girl found dead in 1985, and possibly other murders as well.
The search is concentrated downstream from the bridge on 4th South. Divers from West Valley City's underwater team scoured the bottom. Finding evidence that might have been hidden for two decades is tricky.
Lt. Mark Vanroosendaal, West Valley Police: "There's chunks of concrete, rocks, there's holes, there's mud, there's limbs."
Officially, police have said almost nothing about the case they're working on.
Detective Fred Ross, S.L.C. Police Dept: "Well, all I can say is a cold case about 15 to 20 years old. Other than that, we can't disclose at this time."
Unofficially, a police officer told us the case involves a girl who disappeared in West Valley City in 1985. She was found dead the same night in Salt Lake City. He told us it may be connected to other murders. Offically, police are saying much less.
Detective Fred Ross: "Come here to look for evidence and what that may be we're not exactly sure at this point." Q: "Is it a weapon?" A: "We don't know yet." Q: "I mean, do you have reason to believe there's a weapon in there?" A: "There could be."
They found all sorts of interesting objects, which they showed off to news cameras -- a knife, a machete, the sawed of stock of a shotgun. Then about 3:30, divers found something of special interest underwater. They put it in a tube and hustled it away, keeping it out of sight of news cameras.
Later Detective Ross told us it was a rusty piece of metal that might be a gun. It just needs a closer examination.
The dive work is cold and exhaustoing, but West Valley police say they're happy to help Salt Lake City.
Lt. Mark Vanroosendaal: "And they could locate a piece of evidence that brings this to a successful conclusion, that's what we're all here for."
