The Chandra Levy Tragedy

Karen Bune
Victimology Contributor
Officer.com

Amidst their grief, the Levy family has undergone a long and grueling time period waiting for any bit of news concerning the identity of who killed their daughter. Though the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department has undergone a change in leadership, the department has continued to be committed to this investigation The fact that Chandra Levy was involved in an affair with a Congressman certainly has made it a high profile case and that fact alone can complicate matters due to the press attention and increased pressure that is levied upon finding the killer. Though the basics of an investigation remain constant, law enforcement officers conduct their duties as required and their job often becomes more difficult simply by the continual pressure and presence of the limelight. MPD Chief Cathy Lanier, a strong advocate for crime victims, has never relented in her focus or proactive efforts and utilization of resources by her department in attempting to find the individual who committed this heinous crime. An investigation of this sort is never simple, clear-cut, or quick. Oftentimes, the tendency is to blame the leadership or various components of the department itself for a lack of immediate results but that is, in and of itself, unfair and likely tempered by emotions running high. Everyone involved in this case in the Metropolitan Police Department--both past and present--have worked long and hard in pursuing leads in this investigation. They have been committed to finding Chandra Levy’s killer no matter how long it would take and no matter where any information would lead. Everyone has wanted answers and desired them fast, but it is important to recognize that a complex and lengthy investigation of this sort may not be solved quickly or easily. It is important to understand that Chief Lanier and her department have steadfastly pursued this investigation and seem near to bringing it to resolution in the form of an arrest. For the Levy family, there is no such thing as “closure,†but they will have some resolution in knowing that they will soon have answers to the tragic death of their daughter.