tonight, several developing stories as we come on the air from the nation's capital. former president george h.w. bush and his final trip to time ago, america's 41st president arriving here in the nation's capital. his body blown on air force one, dubbed special air mission 41. in houston, his family lining up, their hands to their hearts. a wave from george and laura bush. and tonight, the story behind president bush's service dog, sully. where he goes next. the other news this monday night, the deadly bus crash. the driver losing control. the bus carrying a youth football team, flipping on the highway. emergency teams racing to help the more than three dozen hurt. the tornado outbreak. nearly two dozen reported

tornadoes, homes destroyed. and now, the new system tonight moving from the west all the way to the east coast. ginger zee standing by with the new track. the mystery deepens. the sudden death of a top u.s. navy admiral. martha raddatz is standing by with the latest. there are breaking developments in the frantic search for an american tourist that vanished in a very popular vacation destination. what we have just learned. why her family thought she was kidnapped. the fiery plane crash right alligator in a retirement community. the alarming image of the gator being pulled from the water with a sneaker in its mouth. and good evening from washington on this monday night. and we are here in the nation's capital tonight to honor a

former president, george h.w. bush. he made his final trip to washington late this afternoon in a powerful and moving sight it was. with the sun setting as his coffin was carried up the steps of the capitol, his son, george w. bush and laura bush, you could see the pain on their faces, and the rest of the bush family. and at this hour, a look inside the roe dunta, where the former president now lies in state, as americans and lawmakers from both parties line up to pay their respects to the last president of the greatest generation. a man, a leader who admitted to mistakes but hoped that people would remember the good things. they are remembering tonight, a devoted family man, a man who served his country. this morning, the family of president george herbert walker bush standing over his casket, draped in an american flag. the president's dog, sully, right there, too. the remains of america's longest living president were then carried out by members of the secret service in houston. the motorcade on its way to

ellington field joint reserve base, where air force one was waiting, sent by president trump, dubbed special air mission 41. families and children lining up to say good-bye. ♪ bush hi laa,he hanheir then a wavem the former arriving in washington late this afternoon, navy sailors from the uss george h.w. bush, standing at attention. the motorcade traveled to the u.s. capitol, where members of the former president's cabinet were waiting. with the sun low in the sky, a beautiful sunset. george w. bush and laura bush waiting atop the steps of the capitol, and you could read her lips. the former first lady saying, "what a beautiful night" to the former president. and then, a 21-gun salute.

the casket was then carried up the steps to the rotunda. the emotions of a son and former president, you could see it as he watched his father return to washington. inside, the casket was placed on the lincolncafaue. t it was a long and remarkable journey for president bush, the boy from milton, massachusetts, born in 1924. the son of a banker and a senator. he would later meet the love of his life, barbara pierce, at a christmas dance. he was the first boy she would kiss. the following year, george enlisted in the navy on his 18th birthday. while overseas, he would write to barbara, his darling bar. he was shot down over the pacific. he was rescued and he made it home to barbara. they would have six children and among them, a little girl named robin who died of leukemia at 3. it was a loss that broke both of

them. >> he was very close. >> i was very close to her. >> she adored him. >> what was it that pulled you back up on your feet afterwards? >> he was very strong then. he was wonderful. >> from the oil business to politics, he was a congressman, a cia director, and the loyal vice president to ronald reagan. he would then get his own chance. >> i want a kinder and gentler nation. >> as president, guiding the country through the end of the cold war and driving saddam hussein out of kuwait. but with the economy at home being tested, he would lose re-election to bill clinton, describing the loss to diane sawyer. >> just had a great feeling of letting down a lot of people. a lot of people that worked for me. you have this ghastly feeling you let them down. and then you get over it and you go on with your life. >> he would leave a letter for bill clinton, writing, "i wish

your family well. your success is now our country's success. i'm rooting hard for you." he would later build an unlikely friendship with bill clinton, and they would raise money for the victims of the tsunami and here at home after katrina. president bush and his wife, barbara, were married 73 years, the longest of any president and first lady and we would learn he held her hand until the end. he lost her just eight months ago. at her funeral, the clintons, the obamas and first lady melania trump. and barbara bush revealing along the way how she wanted her husband to be remembered. >> he is the most decent, honorable, wonder fful -- nobods ever been as lucky as i've been. i want people to remember him as courageous -- i want them to remember him as he is. >> it was less than a year ago he sat before his wife. there was sadness, but not fear, as he once told diane.

>> i do think that -- that you go to heaven, there is a heaven, and -- i don't fear it, though. when i was a little guy, i'd fear death, i'd be -- worried about it, be scared. not anymore. >> not fearing death in the end. and what he said when he was asked who he wanted to see in heaven. that's coming up a bit later here. and one more pointed image tonight. president bush's service dog, you saw sully in front of the coffin today. the labrador boarded that flight to washington, as well. he will return to service soon at walter reed meld call center, where he will continue to serve veterans, just as he was so loyal to his president. and as we reported there, president trump sending air force one, and he and the first lady, melania trump, will attend the funeral at the national cathedral on wednesday. presidents carter, clinton and obama will be there, as well. i want to bring in abc's jonathan karl, live tonight, and jon, we know there had been tension when donald trump was running for office, what was

said about the bushes, but jon, this really is a moment of yubty here in washington. >> reporter: it sure is, david. this will be the first time that we will see all of the living presidents together since the inauguration of donald trump. and it is a moment of unity that is really befitting of george h.w. bush. this was somebody known for striking up genuine friendships with people who had been bitter rivals, and in the case of donald trump, the resentment went both ways. of course, trump was as harsh a critic as there was of the bush family, and george h.w. bush so resented trump that he actually crossed party lines and voted for hillary clinton. but when it came time for trump to become president, at the inauguration, the former president bush, the elder bush, wrote him a letter, saying, "i want you to know, i wish you the very best as you begin this incredible journey of leading our great country." so, yes, david, a moment of unity, as the country pays tribute to george h.w. bush.

>> all right, jon karl across town at the white house tonight. jon, thank you. and before we move on, we want to let you know, the state funeral, wednesday morning at the national cathedral, and of course we're carry it live right here on abc wednesday morning. but there is other news to get to this monday night. there was a deadly bus accident when a youth football team onboard. the team driving from dallas to memphis. the bus flipping over on the highway. here's abc's marcus moore tonight. >> reporter: tonight, investigators are trying to piece together why the driver lost control of this bus, killing one child and injured 45 people. >> we're still working on getting some of the ones that's trapped out. >> reporter: the accident happening near benton, arkansas, just before 3:00 this morning. that bus sliding and tumbling off interstate 30. >> i'm kind of speechless right now, to be honest with you. i'm just lost for words. >> reporter: the bus was carrying members of a youth football team on its way back to memphis, after playing a championship game this weekend in dallas. a third grader was killed. many of the others injured were

between 9 and 13 years old. >> the injuries have ranged really from injuries to the skull and brain to lots of lacerations, lots of broken bones, lots of contusions. >> reporter: and david, investigators tell abc news they are considering all factors, including whether fatigue played a role in this tragic crash. david? >> all right, marcus, thank you. we are also monitoring a major new storm system tonight set to sweep across the country from the west, all the way to the east coast. we have in new traffic tonight. it comes after a deadly tornado outbreak. more than two dozen twisters reported in four states. this one in bluff city, illinois. abc's alex perez is in the storm zone tonight. >> reporter: tonight, that rare december tornado outbreak tearing through the heartland. >> look at those vortices! >> reporter: more than two dozen twisters reported over the weekend, including an ef-3, winds 150 miles an hour, striking taylorville, illinois.

on the ground for more than 11 miles and up to a half-mile wide. >> it was scared. it was horrifying. >> reporter: the national weather service warning residents 41 minutes before it struck. more than 20 injured, but luckily, no one killed. that advance warning likely saving countless lives. >> you pull up here and it looks like a war zone. i mean, you got everything you've known your whole life. >> reporter: in southwestern missouri, one person was killed after an ef-1 tornado, with winds up to 105 miles per hour, struck this aurora motel. and david, take a look. so many homes here look like this one. more than 500 homes damaged. some 34 of them completely destroyed. with the holidays now fast approaching, many families now preparing to spend several weeks recovering from this storm. david? >> just a devastating scene there behind you, alex. we're thinking about all of those families. as i mentioned earlier, there is a major system moving coast to coast. let's get right to chief meteorologist ginger zee with the track tonight. ginger?

>> reporter: yeah, david, the pattern getting very active on the west coast again. the same area that had 3 to 12 inches of rain in the bay area could get another tg is going usher in the next storm and bring you tuesday night through wednesday, the potential for flash flooding, mudslides and up to a foot of mountain snow. it moves by wednesday through southern california. david? >> ginger zee tonight. ging ginger, thank you. there haare new development tonight after that shooting in the mall in alabama. the family of e.j. bradford now claiming he was shot three tim s s from behind by police. there has been no body cam released and no charges. here's abc's chief justice correspondent pierre thomas tonight. >> reporter: tonight, the family of an alabama man fatally shot by mistake demanding justice, claiming their private forensic examination shows he was no threat to the officer who killed him. >> it is clear unequivocally, without any doubt whatsoever,

e.j. bradford jr., was shot three times from the back while he was running away. >> my son was murdered by this officer. and that was cowardice. >> reporter: the fatal shooting of e.j. bradford took place on thanksgiving night at an alabama mall. >> there has been shots fired. >> reporter: police initially claimed bradford, who they say was brandishing a handgun, was the shooter after a fight broke out and left two people wounded. but witnesses on the scene disputed that narrative. a day later, police changing their story, saying bradford likely did not fire those rounds. police later arresting the suspect. his family says bradford had a license to carry a firearm and that he was likely trying to help. the officer has been placed on administrative leave, pending an ongoing investigation. police said today they do not plan to release any body camera video in the immediate future. david? >> pierre thomas tonight. pierre, thank you.

here in washington, there are still major questions tonight after the sudden and mysterious death of the top u.s. navy admiral in the middle east. scott ster nee was found dead in his home in bahrain. let's get right to abc's martha raddatz with us live tonight. martha, what have you learned? >> reporter: well, david, this was such a shock, not only for his family, but for the 20,000 forces he has commanded since may. this is one of the most critical positions in the navy. in the persian gulf region, where u.s. sailors have faced off with iranian revolutionary guard boats, weapons smugglers and pirates. admiral stearney was a decorated f-18 pilot, a former top gun instructor with more than 1,000 carrier landings. he also served in afghanistan. but despite what appeared to be a stellar career, sources who know stearney tell abc this was an apparent suicide with no warning, and for now, david, no explanation. >> all right, martha raddatz in our washington bureau across town. martha, thank you. also tonight, here in the

nation's capital, as robert mueller keeps his next move under wraps, president trump is blasting his former lawyer and fixer michael cohen, who flipped and pleaded guilty to lying to congress. the president now tweeting cohen is guilty of crimes unrelated to his work for the president and that he should, quote, serve a full and complete sentence. we're going to turn next this monday evening to the disappearance of an american woman on the last day of her i have case in costa rica. a witness says he was seen leaving with her bags the day she was supposed to go home. and now investigators with a disturbing find. here's abc's eva pilgrim. >> reporter: tonight, authorities in costa rica say they have found a body during their search for an american woman who vanished on vacation. >> second day, the hot springs. costa rica! i can't believe it! >> reporter: carla stfaniak was celebrating her 36th birthday with her sister-in-law. >> how they welcome me for my birthday! >> reporter: staying an extra day on her own at this airbnb.

her family says she texted last tuesday night, "it's raining hard, power went off. super sketchy." before her phone died, she said she was too tired to go out. the owner of the airbnb told the family she left with her bags the next morning at 5:00 a.m. >> her flight wasn't until 1:30. she's only 20 to 30 minutes from the airport. so, this story doesn't make sense. >> reporter: a woman's body found near the airbnb. tonight, authorities say they will test what appears to be blood found inside the home. david, authorities will now work to identify the body. they have not yet named any suspects. david? >> all right,' have a pilgrim with us tonight. eva, thank you. and to the remarkable images overseas tonight. the protests gripping paris. body camhorushohe famous ark dee yum of where protesters were vandalizing the monument. they're angry about rising living costs in france. the biggest crisis yet for emmanuel macron. the government is considering imposing a state of emergency.

we'll stay on that. there is still much more ahead on "world news tonight" this monday. the deadly plane crash. new images coming in tonight. the plane slamming right into an youautistic therapy center, the exploding into flames. also tonight, the senior attacked by an alligator in a retirement community, and the alarming image of the gator a snear outh. o an anwer highway. the state troopin out of the way, only to be hit himself. we do have news on his condition tonight. a lot more news ahead. we'll be right back.

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boulevard. be advised that he's actively getting bitten. >> reporter: florida fish and wildlife says an 85-year-old man was bitten on the foot by this alligator behind his home at a retirement community. that man taken to the hospital. a close call, after two deadly alligator attacks over the summer. a florida woman walking her dogs was dragged into a lake and and another woman walkingerdog head, south carolina, was killed after an eight-foot alligator pulled her under water. >> if he sees a small dog or anything that the alligator thinks he can get by the side of the water, its going to come out faster than you can react. >> reporter: david, as for the victim in this latest attack, we know he was transported in stable condition. david? >> victor, thank you. when we come back tonight, the fiery plane crash. the plane slamming into an autism therapy center. adults and children could be seen running to safety. we'll be right back. be right back. but allstate actually helps you drive safely... with drivewise. it lets you know when you go too fast...

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and a dedicated advisor to help you grow and protect your wealth. fidelity wealth management. finally tonight here, they have now opened the diary of former president george h.w. bush. lessons from a leader in his own words. >> dear kids -- >> tonight, the deeply person excerptens from president bush's diary. at 19, newly engaged to a young woman who he met at a christmas dance, barbara pierce, he wrote to her during his deployment overseas. >> how lucky our children will be to have a mother like you.

>> he continued with his entries in that diary until he was 75. >> i want to put this aging on hold for awhile now. >> this letter to his family as he grew older. >> i don't expect to be on the a-team anymore, but i want to play golf with you and i want to fish or throw shoes and i want to revoice in your victories and i want to be there for you if you get a bad bounce in life. >> and in an interview with his granddaughter, jenna -- >> who would you want to see first? >> barbara, probably go with her, but i think my mom and my father and maybe robin, our little girl that died. >> and from that diary, the president's lasting message. >> if you need me, i'm here. devotedly, dad. >> what a moving day here in washington. thank you for watching on a monday night. i'm david muir. i hope to see you right back here tomorrow. good night.

live why you live, this is "abc7 news." former president george herbert walker bush has returned to washington for one last time. his body is lying in state at the u.s. capitol. as that happens, the bay area is remembering the impact of the thanyoor joining us. >> a date funeral will be held wednesday, which has been declared a national day of mourning. >> let's take a live look, where the casket is now. >> in about half hour, the public will be allowed to pay respects. "abc7 news" reporter kenneth mollton is there. >> reporter: honoring former president bush, his flag draped casket arriving at the capitol. his family, including son former president george bush, fathered as the military paid tribute. inside, vice president pence,

lawmakers and other dignitaries there to pay their respects. >> today, on behalf of the family, and my family, and the american people, we offer our deepest sympathies. >> reporter: special air mission 41 touched down at joint base andrews to a military salute. earlier in houston, thene during his presidency, and designated air force one when the sitting president is aboard, served as the backdrop of a military ceremony. the former president will lie in state inside the capitol rotunda, giving americans a chance to say goodbye. >> could not have had a better influence. he taught me, you know, family always comes first, and you do what you can to help the world. >> reporter: despite a feud with the bush family, president trump is taking part in the tributes

this week, tweeting looking forward to being with the bush family to