Prisoner is charged with murder of intern

Published on Tuesday 3 March 2009 23:32

AN IMPRISONED Salvadoran immigrant has been charged with the murder of a US government intern in 2001, police and prosecutors said yesterday.

The killing of Chandra Levy, 24, had been one of Washington's most sensational unsolved crimes and helped end a California congressman's career.

At first, it received worldwide attention but interest faded after the 11 September terrorist attacks in 2001 and as it became a cold case.

US attorney Jeffrey Taylor said an arrest warrant was issued for Ingmar Guandique, 27, a Salvadoran immigrant in prison for attacking two women in the Washington park where Ms Levy's body were found.

Gary Condit, a married Democratic congressman from California, came under scrutiny after the May 2001 disappearance of Ms Levy, whose remains were later found in Rock Creek Park.

Condit acknowledged having a "close relationship" with Ms Levy but maintained he had nothing to do with her disappearance or death.

He eventually lost the Democratic primary election when he sought a new term and left office by 2003.

In 2002, Guandique pleaded guilty to assault in two cases involving attacks on women in Rock Creek Park in May and July 2001. He is currently serving a ten-year sentence at a federal prison in California.