Emotional Service Held For Slain 9-Year-Old -- Searchers Seek Evidence Near Springdale

SPOKANE - While law officers continued to search for evidence in the slaying of 9-year-old Valiree Jackson, an emotional memorial service was held for the girl over the weekend.

Jackson was reported missing from her home last month. Her body was found last week buried in a shallow grave near Springdale. Her father, Brad Jackson, 33, has been charged with first-degree murder.

About 35 searchers went over the ground near Springdale on Saturday, looking for evidence that might have been missed earlier, Spokane County sheriff's spokesman Dave Wiyrick said yesterday.

They were aided by witnesses who had reported seeing Brad Jackson in the area just before the body was found.

"They did locate some possible evidence that might be tied to the case," Wiyrick said, but he declined to reveal what it was.

In addition, members of the Spokane Police Department went over the Springdale grave area Friday, using a dog specially trained to locate dead bodies. Police are investigating the 1992 disappearance of Valiree's mother, Roseann Stone Pleasant.

Jackson has not been described as a suspect in the woman's disappearance, but the sheriff's department has called him "a common denominator" in both cases.

The Secret Witness program has posted a $1,000 reward for information leading to the resolution of Pleasant's disappearance.

Pictures of Valiree in happier times were flashed on a screen at Valley Fourth Memorial Church during a memorial service Saturday.

"I cannot do the two things you want me to," Keith Kirkingburg, Spokane County Sheriff's Department chaplain, told the 800 mourners.

"I can't take away your pain. And I can't bring Valiree back."