Hunt for missing student turns into crime case

Police are now treating the investigation into a missing Metallica fan as a criminal matter, though they say there’s still no evidence any crime has been committed.

Officials have Morgan Dana Harrington’s purse and her cell phone, but no idea where she is, though they’ve received more than 100 tips of varying quality.

Soon, they plan to offer a reward of at least $50,000 for information leading to the location of the Virginia Tech student.

Lt. Joe Rader of the Virginia State Police said that a ground search of the area around the John Paul Jones Arena, the site of Saturday’s concert, didn’t turn up any sign of the missing Roanoke woman.

The last anyone heard from her, she had left the show looking for a restroom and ended up leaving the arena entirely, Rader said at a news conference Wednesday outside the University of Virginia police headquarters.

She called her friends from outside the arena to tell them not to worry and that she would try to find a way to get home, Rader said. The arena, like many venues, doesn’t allow re-entry during concerts.

The next day, a passerby found Harrington’s purse and cell phone, without its battery, in a parking lot, and her parents reported her missing.

“We have a purse, and we have a cell phone, and we have a missing girl,” he said.

Rader said it wasn’t unusual that her phone would be without a battery but didn’t elaborate.

Police have scoured surveillance footage and interviewed Harrington’s friends, but neither has yielded significant progress in the case.

Authorities are also asking concertgoers to review photographs and video footage they shot to see if anyone resembling Harrington is visible.

The 20-year-old, who stands about 5 feet 6 inches and weighs about 120 pounds, was wearing a black T-shirt with “Pantera” across it in tan letters, a black mini skirt, black tights and black knee-high boots. She has long blonde hair and blue eyes.

Metallica has posted a statement on its Web site asking anyone with information to contact police.

The statement says the band is “deeply concerned.”

“Our thoughts are with Morgan and her family for her safe return,” it reads, in part.

The case has garnered attention from a variety of national outlets. CNN has been heavily promoting the Nancy Grace show’s coverage in its news stories online.

Callers have reported seeing the missing woman in vastly different parts of the country at nearly the same time, Rader said.

State police are starting a new, 24-hour-a-day tip line at (434)352-3467. Tips can be e-mailed to bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. UVa police are at 924-7166.

“I would never say it’s a hindrance,” Rader said of the national attention.

But he did say that the most valuable tips have come from people who were at the concert. Many of the calls from far-flung corners of the country have been from people who have theories about the crime, rather than facts.

The reward will be offered through the Crime-stoppers program, and there will be conditions attached, though they haven’t yet been set, Rader said.

“Right now the time frame is very critical,” Rader said. “Unfortunately, I don’t know how to stop time.”

This story was edited to correct the tip reporting contacts.