Police following up leads in search for missing student
Morgan Dana Harrington
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Virginia State Police Tip Line:
(434) 352-3467
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2:00 p.m. update:
A 20-year-old woman resembling Morgan D. Harrington, who disappeared the night of the Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena, had a facial injury but it likely was caused by a slip or fall, a Virginia State Police spokeswoman said Friday.
Spokeswoman Corinne Geller said in a news release that many of the people authorities have talked to have mentioned seeing a minor injury on the woman’s face. Geller said the small injury would not be associated with an assault.
Harrington disappeared Oct. 17 after she ended up outside the arena, where she was attending a Metallica concert with her friends. Authorities have said a person matching her description was seen at around 9:30 that night on a bridge near Ivy Road.
State and local police are following up on leads called in from tip lines, Geller said Friday. Anyone with information should call the state police tip hotline at 352-3467 or e-mail .
CrimeStoppers is offering a $100,000 reward. Metallica is reportedly offering an additional $50,000.
Harrington’s parents also are urging people to check http://www.findmorgan.com for more information on the investigation.
Virginia State Police investigators were following up on new leads Thursday in the search for a missing 20-year-old Virginia Tech student.
The student, Morgan D. Harrington, disappeared Oct. 17 after stepping outside the John Paul Jones Arena at the University of Virginia during a Metallica concert. She, or a woman matching her description, was last seen that night at around 9:30 on a bridge near Ivy Road.
Police on Wednesday released a timeline of the events leading up to Harrington’s disappearance.
Corinne Geller, a state police spokeswoman, said that news stories about the timeline generated several new leads and tips. Investigators followed up on those tips Wednesday evening and into Thursday but had nothing new to report, she said.
Harrington’s parents, Roanoke residents Daniel and Gil Harrington, released a statement Thursday thanking police, members of Metallica and everyone else who has been supportive.
“We appreciate your prayers and ask that you continue to share any information you can with law enforcement so that we can find our daughter,” they said.
To read the complete statement and read the police timeline, visit DailyProgress.com.
Harrington’s parents also asked people to check http://www.findmorgan.com for updates on the investigation.
They urged anyone with information regarding their daughter’s disappearance to call the state police tip hotline at (434) 352-3467 or to e-mail .
A reward of $100,000 is being offered in Morgan Harrington’s disappearance. Metallica is also chipping in an additional $50,000.
Police timeline
All locations are for a woman or women closely matching the description of Morgan Harrington.
- Oct. 17
- 8:20-8:48 p.m. - in several areas immediately outside John Paul Jones Arena, possible including doors, and the side near University Hall.
- 8:48 - Friend calls her on cell phone, Harrington explains situation, says she’ll try to find ride home.
- 9-9:10 - Walking, with her purse, through the University Hall parking area.
- 9:10-9:20 - seen in the grassy overflow parking area at Lannigan Field.
- 9:20-9:30 - Seen on Copeley Road bridge over railroad tracks.
- Oct. 18
- Harrington’s purse is found in overflow parking area at Lannigan Field.
Reader Reactions
A police news release today confirms she had a facial injury. There was a report she fell and was unable to communicate when she stood up. The witness thought she was drunk or stoned. Another person said she was crying in the restroom with that injury.
Now we know she was seen by people in the parking lot. There is no explanation of why her purse was abandoned with her cell phone inside, its battery removed. She had to do that. If she had been assaulted there were people there to see it.
VisionAndPsychosis.Net
Post 9/11, most venues have instituted “no re-entry policies”. Even the biggest most famous venues, such as Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park have strict no re-entry policies.Most if not all college venues have this policy as well including Littlejohn Coliseum (Clemson)and Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg. It is written on your ticket, the security at JPJ tell ANYONE leaving that they will not be able to get back in. The complexities of running an arena are beyond my comprehension and in my opinion, the John Paul Jones Arena is among the best run operations in the country. Instead of pointing fingers, lets spend our time with our eyes wide open and our hearts full of prayer for Morgan.
This situation is not unusual for police investigations. I sent them information and got an email that they did receive my input. The problem is that they probably did not believe what I told them.
She is not the only student to disappear like this without a trace. I believe there has even been another one from Virginia Tech(?). A male student drove away and left his parked car on the highway. He was never found. I will have to look it up but a news reporter for a student newspaper plans to write a story about it.
Does anyone remember that name?
There is more to this than we are being told! You talk to friend inside that you came with, they do not try to help? There is security in there to help, if needed. After talking with friends inside, why would they abandon her and she says I will try to catch a ride back home and wanders off in the area!!!!! Give us the true story.
This shows the complete ignorance of the no return back in to events policy at the University. If a young person is alone trying to return back in to an event they should be allowed, especially in this day and age, and especially if that person is a young woman. I urge the University to rethink this policy.
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