Hannah Anderson gives first interview since kidnapping

Hannah Anderson, the 16-year-old who was abducted by family friend James Lee DiMaggio, has spoken out publicly for the first time since her rescue about how she is dealing with intense scrutiny.

In an exclusive interview with The Today Show, Anderson thanked her rescuers and her family and friends for their support.

“In the beginning, I was a victim,” she said. “But now knowing everyone out there’s helping me, I consider myself a survivor, instead.”

Anderson said she is not ready to talk about the details, but clarified why there was so much communication with DiMaggio, including text messages and letters.

Text messages between her and her abductor the day of her abduction were to make arrangements for him to pick her up from cheerleading camp, she explained.

“And he didn’t know the address or what — like, where I was. So I had to tell him the address and tell him that I was gonna be in the gym and not in front of the school,” she said. “Just so he knew where to come get me.”

As for the letters, Anderson said they were from a year ago when she and her mom were having trouble getting along. DiMaggio apparently helped her get through tough times and said that they weren’t anything bad.

Anderson is now preparing to bury her mother and brother this weekend after DiMaggio killed them when setting his house on fire.

San Diego Police said they will not reveal a motive for the double murder and kidnapping because they do not want Anderson to be a victim for the second time, as she is already emotional and very overwhelmed.

Anderson told ‘Today’ that she had no idea an Amber Alert was sent out for her and had never even heard of one before.

“I know it helped people find me,” she said. “And it made them, like, realize that it’s hard to find people out there. But with everyone’s support, it can help a lot.”

Anderson also thanked the FBI, the sheriff, and everybody else who put in the time to get her home safe.

Her family continues to deny rumors that DiMaggio might be the father of her and younger brother Ethan, while the DiMaggio family has requested DNA tests. She was reunited with her father after she was rescued.

Anderson struggled to talk about her younger brother and said, “He had a really big heart.” She also said she had strength because of her mother’s spirit and it helped her get through the tough times. “My mom raised me to be strong.”

Within days of being rescued, Anderson was online and answering questions on Ask.fm from random users regarding the kidnapping.

“It was a little overwhelming, but it was good to know people prayed for me,” she said.

Anderson said she didn’t know people could be so cruel on social media as they were calling her behavior ‘fishy.’ She then added that Facebook and Instagram help her grieve and connect with her friends. “I’m a teenager, I’m gonna go on it,” she said.

Today, Anderson is trying to get back to her life as a daughter, dancer, and a high school student, leaving her past behind.

“This was a hard time,” she said. “And there’s gonna be harder times in life. But if I could get through this, I’m sure I can get through a lot more.”

Report by MyNorthwest.com intern Hannah Kadletz