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Drbio · 09-20-2002, 10:26 AM

Divers search for clues in Tahiti; Dele's brother arrested

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ESPN.com news services

PAPEETE, Tahiti -- Investigators are examining whether missing NBA player Bison Dele and two companions may have been shot to death while sailing in the South Pacific, scouring his boat for any signs of bullet marks, a prosecutor said Thursday.

Police search the 55-foot catamaran owned by Bison Dele that's at the center of the murder investigation launched since Dele's disappearance.

The boat, a 55-foot catamaran dubbed the "Hakuna Matata,'' was discovered in port on Taravao on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti Sept. 12.

On Thursday the FBI arrested Dele's older brother, Miles Dabord, on a fraud charge filed in Phoenix and for allegedly fleeing arrest on that charge. Dabord was traveling with the group aboard the boat before the disappearances.

FBI Supervisor John Steiner in San Rafael, Calif., said Dabord was found comatose near the California-Mexico border Saturday night and was immediately transported to a San Diego area hospital.

Police in Chula Vista, Calif., said Dabord was found in Tijuana, Mexico just across the border. He was identified by his fingerprints Thursday and remained in intensive care.

Steiner said Dabord was found alone, but he refused to provide details about his injuries or circumstances of his discovery.

In Phoenix, Dabord had allegedly claimed he was Brian Williams -- Dele's former name. Dabord signed receipts with his brother's former name while trying to buy $152,000 in gold there.

Steiner refused to say whether Dabord was a suspect in his brother's death.

"The investigation is continuing,'' he said. "I want this case to be resolved for the families.''

The 33-year-old Dele spent eight seasons in the NBA with Orlando, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago and Detroit. The Chicago Bulls picked him up late in the 1996-97 season before winning their fifth of six titles.

Dele, his girlfriend Serena Karlan and Bertrand Saldo, a French skipper sailing with the group, were last seen July 8 during a layover in this French Pacific territory, investigators said.

The four set sail together from Auckland, New Zealand, May 2.

"All the elements, put together end to end, lead us to consider that they have apparently been killed,'' Papeete chief prosecutor Michel Marotte said.

Tahitian investigators were giving Dele's boat a close examination, Marotte told The Associated Press. He said that no bullet holes had been found so far.

The catamaran was docked on July 18 by Dabord, French judicial officials have said. Its name had been removed and it was registered under a new name, "Aria Bella.''

Marotte denied news reports that investigators believe Dele could have been killed with his own gun.

"If there was a gun, we believe it was a weapon brought by the author,'' he said.

Marotte said someone was seen throwing away clothes, including diving suits, that investigators think may have been aboard the boat.

"There were several witnesses. These clothes were found in garbage cans in Taravao,'' where the boat was discovered, he said.

The murder investigation began Monday. Experts have scoured the boat, taking photographs and gathering fingerprints and other evidence for analysis.

Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the murder inquiry was prompted by statements Dabord's girlfriend told authorities in California. The newspaper reported that Erica Weise had reported that there was a struggle aboard the boat that left Dele, Karlan and Saldo dead.

Dabord, also known as Kevin Williams, was detained Sept. 5 by police in Phoenix. Dabord allegedly claimed he was Brian Williams and signed receipts with that name while trying to purchase the gold.

Dabord showed his younger brother's passport as identification, the FBI said. Arizona police released Dabord without formally arresting him.

A week ago, Mexican police found some personal items belonging to Dabord in a hotel room in Tijuana.

09-20-2002, 10:26 AM	#3
Drbio Banned Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nowhere Posts: 40,924	Divers search for clues in Tahiti; Dele's brother arrested -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services PAPEETE, Tahiti -- Investigators are examining whether missing NBA player Bison Dele and two companions may have been shot to death while sailing in the South Pacific, scouring his boat for any signs of bullet marks, a prosecutor said Thursday. Police search the 55-foot catamaran owned by Bison Dele that's at the center of the murder investigation launched since Dele's disappearance. The boat, a 55-foot catamaran dubbed the "Hakuna Matata,'' was discovered in port on Taravao on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti Sept. 12. On Thursday the FBI arrested Dele's older brother, Miles Dabord, on a fraud charge filed in Phoenix and for allegedly fleeing arrest on that charge. Dabord was traveling with the group aboard the boat before the disappearances. FBI Supervisor John Steiner in San Rafael, Calif., said Dabord was found comatose near the California-Mexico border Saturday night and was immediately transported to a San Diego area hospital. Police in Chula Vista, Calif., said Dabord was found in Tijuana, Mexico just across the border. He was identified by his fingerprints Thursday and remained in intensive care. Steiner said Dabord was found alone, but he refused to provide details about his injuries or circumstances of his discovery. In Phoenix, Dabord had allegedly claimed he was Brian Williams -- Dele's former name. Dabord signed receipts with his brother's former name while trying to buy $152,000 in gold there. Steiner refused to say whether Dabord was a suspect in his brother's death. "The investigation is continuing,'' he said. "I want this case to be resolved for the families.'' The 33-year-old Dele spent eight seasons in the NBA with Orlando, Denver, the Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago and Detroit. The Chicago Bulls picked him up late in the 1996-97 season before winning their fifth of six titles. Dele, his girlfriend Serena Karlan and Bertrand Saldo, a French skipper sailing with the group, were last seen July 8 during a layover in this French Pacific territory, investigators said. The four set sail together from Auckland, New Zealand, May 2. "All the elements, put together end to end, lead us to consider that they have apparently been killed,'' Papeete chief prosecutor Michel Marotte said. Tahitian investigators were giving Dele's boat a close examination, Marotte told The Associated Press. He said that no bullet holes had been found so far. The catamaran was docked on July 18 by Dabord, French judicial officials have said. Its name had been removed and it was registered under a new name, "Aria Bella.'' Marotte denied news reports that investigators believe Dele could have been killed with his own gun. "If there was a gun, we believe it was a weapon brought by the author,'' he said. Marotte said someone was seen throwing away clothes, including diving suits, that investigators think may have been aboard the boat. "There were several witnesses. These clothes were found in garbage cans in Taravao,'' where the boat was discovered, he said. The murder investigation began Monday. Experts have scoured the boat, taking photographs and gathering fingerprints and other evidence for analysis. Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported that the murder inquiry was prompted by statements Dabord's girlfriend told authorities in California. The newspaper reported that Erica Weise had reported that there was a struggle aboard the boat that left Dele, Karlan and Saldo dead. Dabord, also known as Kevin Williams, was detained Sept. 5 by police in Phoenix. Dabord allegedly claimed he was Brian Williams and signed receipts with that name while trying to purchase the gold. Dabord showed his younger brother's passport as identification, the FBI said. Arizona police released Dabord without formally arresting him. A week ago, Mexican police found some personal items belonging to Dabord in a hotel room in Tijuana.