The Commercial Appeal

Hannah Anderson’s mom, brother mourned in Calif.

- Associated Press

SANTEE, Calif. — Calling their deaths “an abominatio­n,” a priest memorializ­ed a California mother and young son killed by a family friend who also abducted the woman’s 16-year-old daughter.

Saturday’s service for Christina Anderson and 8-year-old Ethan Anderson at the Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church in Santee was open to the public.

“For the death of Tina and Ethan there are no easy words,” Rev. Kevin Casey told the memorial gathering. “We are touched by this evil and we can never be the same again.”

The pair was found at the home of James Lee DiMaggio, who set it ablaze earlier this month and then took off with Hannah Anderson.

DiMaggio was killed by FBI agents Aug. 10 in the Idaho wilderness, ending a six-day search that spanned much of the western United States and parts of Canada and Mexico.

Authoritie­s have declined to discuss a possible motive in the deaths and haven’t addressed other details of the case, including how Hannah was treated by DiMaggio during the ordeal.

“We struggle with deaths like this because they are not right. They are an abominatio­n,” Casey said.

Investigat­ors have said DiMaggio set fire to his home using a timer, giving him a 20-hour jump on law enforcemen­t.

DiMaggio’s family has requested paternity tests to determine if the suspect fathered the children.

Hannah’s father, Brett Anderson, gave his DNA to investigat­ors to confirm Ethan’s identity. DiMaggio named Hannah’s grandmothe­r, Bernice Anderson, as the sole beneficiar­y of his employer-issued life insurance policy, making her eligible for $112,000.

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