Copter Joins Search for Missing Mom Believed Dead

A sheriff’s helicopter was brought in for the first time Wednesday to join the search for missing Ventura mother Sherri Dally, and officials acknowledged that they have possession of the car that might have been used in her suspected abduction and slaying two weeks ago.

But as the investigation continued into the mysterious disappearance, officials remained guarded about the case, acknowledging only that they think murder suspect Diana Haun did not act alone.

Haun, 35, a dark-haired Port Hueneme woman romantically linked by neighbors and co-workers to Dally’s husband, Michael Dally, is the only suspect in custody so far. She was arrested Saturday and is being held on $1-million bail pending an arraignment today on kidnapping and murder charges.

But a witness to the alleged kidnapping May 6 gave a description that suggested another woman--described as having short, blond hair--could have been involved.

“We don’t know how many people are involved, but we believe it was more than just Diana Haun,” Ventura Police Sgt. George Morris said Wednesday.

Witnesses last reported seeing Sherri Dally in a Target store parking lot in east Ventura, where a blue-green car pulled up behind her van and blocked her exit. Witnesses said Dally got out of her van and into the other car, which was driven by the woman with short blond hair.

Police refused to comment Wednesday on whether they have been looking for a second female accomplice since the investigation started.

The difficult search for Sherri Dally--now believed by police to be dead--shifted Wednesday to some of the most rugged hill, canyon and riverbed country of Ventura County’s interior.

A sheriff’s helicopter roamed across the county for a 90-minute midday flight over the otherwise inaccessible terrain.

“We flew over hills, canyons, and rivers--areas that can’t be easily searched by car or on foot,” Ventura Police Lt. Carl Handy said. “We’re not focusing on any one area, but we’ve pretty much covered the city and are now broadening the search to cover the outside.”

A $4,000 reward has been established by Sherri Dally’s family for information leading to her whereabouts.

Police acknowledged for the first time Wednesday that they had possession of a blue-green sedan believed to have been used in the abduction. The car was taken to the sheriff’s crime lab, where it was fingerprinted and processed for other evidence and then returned to the Ventura Police Department.

Although neither Haun nor any member of her family has spoken to the press, Dally family members said she contacted them via a jail phone to profess her innocence.

“She called from jail and told me she wanted us to know that she didn’t do it and for us not to hate her,” said Michael Dally’s niece, Hannah Murray, 19. “She was crying and wanted to make sure we knew that she wouldn’t do anything to Sherri, that she wouldn’t have hurt her.”

Murray and Michael Dally said they are perplexed by Sherri’s disappearance.

“Everybody loved Sherri,” said Murray, who described her as a fun-loving and doting mother and wife. “She didn’t have any enemies. We all just loved her.”

Michael Dally filed for a legal separation from his wife and sole custody of his children one week after Sherri’s disappearance. He explained the move was necessary to protect his children, saying he was concerned about his wife’s mental well-being should she return.

Police have not commented on whether Michael Dally is a suspect in the case. He said Wednesday that any speculation about possible involvement in his wife’s disappearance is “trash.”

“People can believe what they want to believe,” he said.

Murray, who knows Haun, said the whole family, including Sherri, knew of Michael’s romantic involvement. Murray described Haun as very friendly.

“I feel bad for her,” Murray said of Haun. “The police say she is guilty, but I can’t imagine that.”

Murray said the Dally family is concentrating its energies on taking care of the Dallys’ sons, Devon, 8, and Max, 6. The boys are staying home from school for now.

“The boys are constantly asking for Sherri,” Murray said. “They ask if she’ll ever come back.

“We were at McDonald’s the other day and the little one saw his mom’s photo on the window and told the [employee] ‘That’s my mom.’ ”

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Staff writer Tracy Wilson and correspondent Paul Elias contributed to this story.