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DiMaggio's Family Wants DNA Test To Determine Paternity Of Hannah, Ethan Anderson

Hannah Anderson, 16 (L) and her brother, Ethan Anderson, 8, were allegedly abducted from the city of Boulevard in San Diego's East County on August 3, 2013 at 5 p.m.
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Hannah Anderson, 16 (L) and her brother, Ethan Anderson, 8, were allegedly abducted from the city of Boulevard in San Diego's East County on August 3, 2013 at 5 p.m.

LAKESIDE (CNS) - The family of an East County homicide and kidnapping suspect who was fatally shot by authorities earlier this month is asking for a DNA test to see if two of his victims were in fact his biological children.

James DiMaggio's family is questioning the paternity because he left a $112,000 life insurance policy to the children's family, DiMaggio family spokesman Andrew Spanswick told KGTV 10 News.

DiMaggio is suspected of kidnapping 16-year-old Hannah Anderson earlier this month, shortly after he killed her 44-year-old mother, Christina Anderson, and 8-year-old brother, Ethan. Days later, authorities tracked DiMaggio and Hannah to a remote area in Idaho, where he was fatally shot by an FBI agent.

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She was recovered unharmed and has since been reunited with her extended family.

The DiMaggio family is not contesting the policy payout, which was designated to go to Hannah and Ethan's paternal grandmother to be used for the children.

"He stated he did not want it to go to their parents because they were having marital problems and he didn't trust them with the money on their own,'' Spanswick said.

Hannah and Ethan's parents were estranged at the time of the crimes.

DiMaggio has been described as a close family friend who recently developed an infatuation with Hannah that made her uncomfortable.

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"We are requesting DNA samples from Hannah and anything they can get from Ethan,'' Spanswick said. "There are rumors Jim was the children's real father. The parents didn't marry until 2002. We think it's strange (DiMaggio) left them so much money with no explanation.''

The Anderson family did not immediately comment on the DiMaggio family's request. It was unclear early today whether the DiMaggio family planned to force the issue in court.