May 7, 2003 By Jennifer Harr 3 min read

State police said Tuesday that they believe the remains found in a burnt van were those of 13-year-old Danielle McMannus, an 8th grade student who was reported missing last week. Police released few specifics on the case, but classified it as a homicide and said they are narrowing their list of suspects in the death. They also stressed that while they believe it is McMannus, DNA tests are being conducted to confirm their suspicions.

Authorities were called to Nichelson’s Junk Yard in Clinton, Saltlick Township, Saturday around 1 p.m. after someone noticed remains in the burnt out van. McMannus had been reported missing by her family earlier that day.

Cpl. David Heckman said that McMannus was last seen at the home of her mother, Kim, and her mother’s boyfriend, Rob Nichelson sometime late Friday or early Saturday. McMannus, a student at Connellsville Junior High School East, lived with them in their home near the junkyard.

Principal Bruce Jaynes said McMannus always had a smile on her face when he saw her at school.

“She was a nice girl; always said hello when you saw her in the hall,” he said.

Grief counselors have been available at the school since Monday, and have met with several students about McMannus.

Heckman declined to say if the teen had been fighting with her mother and Nichelson before she disappeared, but stressed that his lack of comment should not be taken as an affirmation of that fact.

“Due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing and active, specific details cannot be given out. To do so may compromise the ongoing investigation,” said public relations trooper Brian R. Burden.

An autopsy of the body found in the van was conducted Sunday by forensic pathologist Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, who determined it was indeed a female. Police did not release specifics on what caused the death, citing the ongoing investigation.

“We can only imagine the suffering before her death,” said Fayette County District Attorney Nancy D. Vernon.

Although police need DNA tests to confirm it was McMannus’ body in the van, Vernon said that their suspicions have been bolstered by scraps of clothing found in the van that McMannus had been wearing when she disappeared.

“Whoever did this will be held responsible and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” vowed Vernon.

Heckman said that it will likely take two to three weeks to complete DNA testing and noted that a comparison sample was given from McMannus’ personal belongings. He noted that the case was given high priority at the state police lab.

Burden said at a morning press conference that interviews are continuing and evidence is still being collected. He also said that a task force of troopers has been assembled to handle the case.

He also asked that anyone with information on the case contact the barracks at 724-439-7111.