April 27, 2011 7:30 PM

Krista Dittmeyer's body found in N.H. pond, prosecutors say

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Crimesider Staff
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Missing

Krista Dittmeyer cops search N.H. pond for missing mom

Krista Dittmeyer

(Credit: Personal Photo)

(CBS/WBZ) CONWAY, N.H. - The body of missing Maine woman Krista Dittmeyer, whose car was abandoned at a ski area with her toddler unharmed inside has been recovered from a nearby pond, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Pictures: Krista Dittmeyer

The 20-year-old Portland, Maine, mother's body was found by divers in a retaining pond about a quarter-mile from where her car was found idling Saturday in the parking lot of Cranmore Mountain ski area in Conway, a town of 10,000 people.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Jane Young said an autopsy would be done Thursday to determine the cause of Dittmeyer's death. She described the death as "suspicious," but she would not elaborate or comment on possible suspects.

A crime scene unit was seen at the pond earlier Wednesday, but police pushed media back from the area, reports CBS station WBZ.

Officers began draining ponds in the area Monday, but said at the time they had no reason to believe Dittmeyer was in one. They claimed they were removing the water to rule out any possibilities.

The father of Dittmeyer's child is serving time in prison on an unrelated matter.

According to CBS affiliate WBZ, police say Dittmeyer, who lives and works in Portland and has ties to Bridgton, Maine, last talked to family members at about 8 p.m. Friday by phone.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Conway police at 603-356-5715.

Complete Coverage of Krista Dittmeyer on Crimesider

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Missing Maine mom victim of crime, say N.H. police

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Add a Comment See all 17 Comments
by GCanty29 April 28, 2011 9:55 PM EDT
Ya know, it really shouldn't matter how she or her friends were dressed on a Facebook picture. I keep seeing references to the word "prostitute". Frankly, it's kinda ticking me off. She was 20 years old, a single mother, and the cousin of one of my best friends. I am all about free speech and people having their own opinions, however, there's a time and place for all comments. I really hope her family (my good friend included) don't have to read garbage like that during this time. It's pretty sad that some people don't have a little more decency for the person that was taken away so needlessly. The world we live in is seriously very pathetic.
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by dymire April 28, 2011 8:46 PM EDT
First off all the fighting shows that we give a sh@t...but the point is she was up there at night. A young headstrong mother with a child...believe me she would have not pulled over for a stranger,..etc. this is someone she met or met up with...has to be a guy...and dropped her at the pond. Now if he was driving the car and parked it there ya go...but im looking for psychology here... the open door, the blood, and the point that only a quarter mile down the way the body...they dont say that the passanger side or driverside was muddy from shoes...so im seeing / and hoping this will be an easy case seeing how she probably knows the person/ im saying guy...facebook friends/ yea great/ no im leaning torwards this guy is new / or he was a friend of the husband...either way the death penalty the guy wont get, which is the saddest part...r.i.p. and seeing how there was blood/ you fought, you didnt give up krista,..remember that...
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by valopinion April 28, 2011 9:17 AM EDT
We should have little motion detector web cams on all of our cars dashes. That wont protect us, but it will help lead to prosecuting rapists and murderers who half the time get away with their wicked deeds because of any lack of evidence. Secondly, women should always have a small, very sharp paring knife kept on the drivers side door like I do in case I need to defend myself unexpectedly and women should NEVER, EVER COMPLY with the demands of a predator even when told "if you do what I say I wont hurt you". It's the oldest line in the book. In fact, I think the more a woman begs for her life, the more it must turn the animal on to think he has the power to command such fear in another person. All young girls and women need to carry pepper spray in their purses and KNOW some self defense and NEVER jog alone or go to places where there may not be others around to see anything. SAFETY IN NUMBERS. We MUST start some offensive and defensive measures to insure that our girls and women are safer and that this sort of thing is not a COMMON, DAILY OCCURRENCE as it now seems to be. And when these predators are caught, tried and convicted, they need to be exterminated for the sub-humans that they are. THEY put themselves into that category when they stalk their victim, separating the weak and unsuspecting from the crowd just like a lion or any other predator would. Any animal that thinks it's a fair trade to take an innocent life in order to satisfy 5 minutes of his sick, sexual lust is clearly deserving of the death penalty!! Any state that does not think so definitely should reexamine their policy on abortion where the victim is DEFINITELY innocent. Lastly, STOP blaming the victim! There is NOTHING on this planet that can JUSTIFY doing anything to anyone against their will simply because of the way that they are dressed or because they are in a certain part of town. Prayer is USELESS!!!!!! ACTION is necessary to do something about this kind of thing and it is time to start doing SOMETHING. NOW!!!!!!!!!!! This...is just MY opinion.
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by jacie2010 April 28, 2011 2:50 AM EDT
btw......I haven't heard anyone suggest that perhaps someone is posing as a police officer and pulling these people over?

This could explain why her car was pulled off to the side of the road -- as a fake police officer could have approached the car -- asked her to get out - - then abducted and killed her.
This would explain the car still running and the baby left inside.

This kind of thing seems to occur occasionally -- where someone poses as a police officer and pulls women over.

I hope someone is investigating that angle.
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by Well_You_Aint_Me April 28, 2011 7:41 AM EDT
So, at 0245 hours this girl was a prostitute and now at 0250 hours she was pulled over by a fake cop.

You need to use the night time to sleep, you are suffering from delirium.
by Anonomousamerican April 28, 2011 1:17 PM EDT
the car was left running hasards flashing driver door open
by jacie2010 April 28, 2011 2:45 AM EDT
Why do these websites show such outdated photos of these victims. And why do they try to portray them as something they are not?

I just believe a NEWS organization should be more FACTUAL and CURRENT about the people they are reporting on.

This poor girl's facebook PROFILE shows her and another woman posing with their chests hanging out -- as if they are "advertising" for something or someone.

Considering all the prostitute killings lately and those advertising "escort" services and such on Craigslist - perhaps it is possible these people are doing the same on Facebook.

Regardless - no one deserves to be so brutally murdered -- but the NEWS should report the CURRENT news.

That young boy who was killed by his friends in FL looks like some sweet little 8 year-old. But if you read his obscene and violent-filled rants on Facebook -- you will see he was a 15 year-old THUG and quite scary at that. It's horrible the way he died - just horrible - but from what he stated himself, it sounds very much like he was just as capable of such a horrific crime on those who got to him first.
His current photos look NOTHING like the one CBS "news" -- as they are not "news" by posting 6-7 year-old photos (they are just 6-7 YEARS behind on the current news -- which is INEXCUSABLE!!!) -- his head is all shaved off and he's posing in pics smoking - talking about taking drugs and going to jail and being gangsta, etc.

CBS -- please use CURRENT pics -- not outdated -- ONE-SIDED pics to try to present HALF the story and a FAKE PERSONA for these people.
The pics alone tell quite a story.
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by Jessa1155 April 28, 2011 8:08 AM EDT
You make me sick. Whether you are aware of it or not, you're blaming victims.. acting like a vicarious troll."Chests hanging out, selling themselves"? How dare you! This young woman's family, friends and child are suffering an incredible loss and this obtuse, uninformed speculation is the best you can come up with? A shirt with a V-cut does not equate to a chest hanging out! Your prudish and out of touch observations do nothing but disgrace her memory. Get a life! I have friends who know this young lady personally.. I pray they don't read this garbage you've posted.
by hologram5 April 28, 2011 9:09 AM EDT
First, you are right on the money about the news today, it's more OPINION than news and second:
Jessa1155: you're an idiot, she never blamed the victims moron, she is pointing out how the news today is skewed to opinion more than anything. Go back to school, you need a better education. Just because you have a pc and can type doesn't mean you're smart.
by teramiabullfrog April 28, 2011 1:27 AM EDT
Regarding the first comment I made, I realize cause has yet to be determined; however, I don't think it's very likely Krista drowned herself. Sorry about the misspelling of Dittmeyers in the first comment.
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by teramiabullfrog April 28, 2011 1:21 AM EDT
Brutal, absolutely brutal. It made me cry. Somethings got to be done to deter these sick, depraved, "people?" who prey on children and the innocent. Our prayers through young loving mother Krista Dittneyers to her family, stay strong and do something positive to commemorate Krista's spirit and life. All of us we need to do something to stop these predators. Any suggestions would be welcomed. I would suggest fixing the main National Program that was established in 1985. The NALC/USPS Child Alert Program was the result of four independent, Federal funded studies, about missing persons, by the F.B.I., the Dept. of Justice, and two U.S. Universities. The charity I'm a volunteer with discovered the established, executive order National Program, was not functioning according to the original intent of the studies, or is it functioning as the written instructions describe. What the Program was intended to accomplish was to help find missing persons quickly, help improve child safety, improve education about child abduction prevention, and perhaps, just perhaps serve as a deterrent to sexual predators. Something has to be done, why not correct the National Program so it functions as it's intended, make a few tweaks, improvements, and see if these continuous missing persons reports slow down. Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.
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by carolinamello April 28, 2011 2:32 AM EDT
please.. these young women who end up tragically and unnecessarily murdered were living with a little girl mindset. Makes them charming and sweet, but they have "VICTIM" written all over their innocent faces..the predator has instincts and is ALWAYS looking, lurking about for just the right opportunity. There is no exact way to stop them all..BUT, as soon as a young girl goes out on her own, even before, her Dad a brother, her Mom or older relative who truly loves and wants to see her have a fulfilled safe and happy life NEEDS to sign her up for a personal protection course with the regional State police.There she can learn how to safely use a fine firearm.Then she must attend a shooting range and practice her shooting skills until she becomes very capable, confident and knowing the laws, the handling, accuracy, and reliable self protection of a sidearm..A LadySmith,a sig-sauer, can easily be discretly carried once she has a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Then she must carry it everywhere, discreetly, and always loaded and ready to use. That son of a B* %$#!!who brutalized and killed her would now be dead!! A grizzley bear pepper spray may work if the wind is not blowing back at you, but a bullet is not moved by the wind at close range..no cell phone, no taser.NOTHING works so well as a laser site .38 special or 9mm aimed at the SOB and the steely guts to use it if necessary. She could have been her very own crime stopper! Now loved ones weep and her baby has lost so much. Mothers and DADs..do this for your young people going out into the rough and mean world..I have never had to use my own protection in over forty years, but I could, and I would,to stop a crime against someone I cared about or against myself. No waiting for the police for this woman. Be Prepared. and go about loving life with great joy!! Prayers for her family--I am so sorry you have to suffer through this!
by wtcmedic911 April 28, 2011 1:17 AM EDT
What a waste. I not only hope the police find the perp but hope the locals he to him first.
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by Voiceforthesilenced April 28, 2011 12:04 AM EDT
My prayers & heartfelt condolences to the family. Rest in peace Krista. My heart aches for her parents & for her child growing up without his mommy. Such a sad ending.
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by mari1963 April 27, 2011 10:28 PM EDT
Such a sad story.I feel for her child. Who will raise this baby now? The father is a felon and the mom is gone - so sad.
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by pak31 April 28, 2011 11:33 AM EDT
Probably Krista's mother.
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