Missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington sustained a facial injury before she vanished from an Oct. 17 concert in Charlottesville, Virginia State Police confirmed Friday.
State police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said investigators didn’t disclose the fact earlier because the injury was consistent with what a person would sustain after falling and doesn’t appear to be related to her disappearance.
The search for Morgan Harrington was taken to Lane Stadium during a primetime football game Thursday night.
Harrington’s been missing since October 19 when she went to a concert at John Paul Jones arena in Charlottesville.
Before the game Thursday, dozens of volunteers passed out thousands of flyers and stickers to fans.
Authorities yesterday released a more detailed timeline of the events leading up to disappearance of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who was last seen Oct. 17 during a Metallica concert at John Paul Jones Arena.
State Police Lt. Joe Rader said in a press conference yesterday afternoon that he hoped that these new details will help elicit more information from witnesses who might have seen Harrington the night of her disappearance but have not yet come forward.
It’s the kind of national attention no town wants. A beautiful college student goes to a rock concert, somehow becomes separated from her friends, and ends up outside, alone. Unable to reenter UVA’s John Paul Jones Arena because policy prohibits it, she calls her friends and tells them not to worry– that she’ll somehow find her way back to Harrisonburg, an hour away, on her own and without a vehicle or friends to accompany her.
And then she vanishes.
Her terrified parents desperately want the answer to a question no parent should ever have to ask: where is my child? For State Police investigating her disappearance, the clues, though sparse, paint a grim picture.
Roanoke, VA., October 29, 2009 — We sincerely thank the Virginia State Police Department, University of Virginia Police Department, members of Metallica, and the many people who have shown their support in this difficult time. We are doing everything in our power to bring Morgan home. 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.
Please refer to www.FindMorgan.com as a resource for updates on Morgan’s investigation. Information can also be found on the Virginia State Police Department’s website at http://www.vsp.state.va.us/News/News_Releases.shtm. We encourage you to share your thoughts and questions with us directly at info@findmorgan.com. All media inquires may be directed to our new media hotline (202) 973-1330 for immediate assistance.
If you have any helpful information regarding our daughter’s whereabouts, please contact the Virginia State Police’s tip hotline at (434) 352-3467 or bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.
We thank you again for your prayers and support.
The young woman whose disappearance during an October 17 Metallica concert touched off a national search was last seen on a bridge around 9:30 that night near busy Ivy Road. The information came in a Wednesday morning press conference in Charlottesville in which State Police Lieutenant Joe Rader expressed hope that a newly detailed timeline would provoke additional clues from concert-goers and other witnesses.
“Perhaps you saw someone stop a vehicle,” said Rader. “Perhaps you saw this young lady get into a vehicle. Somewhere out there lie the answers or lies the vital link.”
The search for a missing Virginia Tech student continues.
Metallica has pledged $50,000 to aid in the search for 20-year-old Morgan Dana Harrington, who was last seen Oct. 17 outside the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va., following a concert by the venerable metal band.
The reward for her safe return now stands at $150,000, the bulk of which has been put up by Harrington’s parents. On Tuesday, the couple will appear on Today to make a plea for help in finding their daughter. They have also set up a website, FindMorgan.com.
Search Continues for Morgan Harrington
RICHMOND – Investigators are hopeful that a $100,000 reward will help generate new leads in the disappearance of Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, of Roanoke. The Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers has established a $100,000 reward for information leading to the location and recovery of Miss Harrington. The public is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000 or the Virginia State Police at 434-352-3467 or University of Virginia Police at 434-924-7166 with information about Miss Harrington.
Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers is a not-for-profit group of citizens against crime that assists the following local law enforcement agencies in solving crimes: University of Virginia Police Department, Albemarle County Police Department, Albemarle County Sheriff’s Department, Charlottesville Police Department, Charlottesville Sheriff’s Department, Fluvanna County Sheriff’s Department, Wintergreen Police Department and Virginia State Police.
Throughout the weekend and Monday, Virginia State Police and University of Virginia Police continued to pursue various tips and information related to the ongoing investigation. On Saturday (Oct. 24), investigators and state police troopers handed out fliers featuring a photograph of Miss Harrington and a brief description about her disappearance on the night of Oct.17, 2009. Miss Harrington’s photograph was also displayed on the Wahoo-Tron during the UVA football game this weekend in an effort to encourage people to come forward with any potential leads.
Miss Harrington was attending a Metallica concert on the night of Oct. 17, 2009, at the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville,Va., when she became separated from her friends. She ended up outside the arena and was unable to re-enter the facility. Investigators have been able to locate and interview various individuals who recall seeing Miss Harrington outside in the vicinity of the arena that night between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Her purse and cell phone were found in a parking area near the arena Sunday morning.
Miss Harrington was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with “Pantera” written on the front in tan letters. She also had on a black mini-skirt with black tights and knee-high black boots. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
New State Police Tip Line Number for Public to Call: (434) 352-3467
RICHMOND – New potential leads and tips from around the country continue to pour in to the Virginia State Police and University of Virginia (UVA) Police in regards to the disappearance of 20-year-old Morgan Dana Harrington of Roanoke, Va. The search and subsequent investigation are being conducted by the Virginia State Police and University of Virginia Police in conjunction with Charlottesville Police, Albemarle County Police and Virginia Tech Police. CSX Railroad investigations have also been assisting with this case.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, Miss Harrington and a friend traveled from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., to James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, Va., to meet up with another friend. They then travelled to John Paul Jones Arena at UVA in Charlottesville, Va., to attend a Metallica concert that same evening.
During the course of the concert, she became separated from her friends when she left to use the restroom. Investigators have confirmed that she ended up outdoors and was unable to re-enter the arena. She telephoned her friends at approximately 8:40 p.m. to tell them she could not get back into the facility and she would make arrangements to get a ride.
Investigators have been able to locate and interview various individuals who recall seeing Miss Harrington outside in the vicinity of the arena that night between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Her abandoned purse and cell phone were found in a nearby parking area Sunday morning (Oct. 18) by a passerby and were turned in to the University of Virginia Police. Harrington was reported missing by her parents Sunday afternoon (Oct. 18).
More than 100 tips have been received as of Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 21). Investigators have reviewed surveillance video from the arena and businesses within the immediate area. At this time, the videos reveal nothing relevant to the investigation.
Miss Harrington was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with “Pantera” written on the front in tan letters. She also had on a black mini-skirt with black tights and knee-high black boots. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
The public is still encouraged to call or e-mail with any information concerning Miss Harrington and/or her whereabouts. A new Virginia State Police Tip Line phone number has been established (434) 352-3467. (This new number replaces the previous one). Information can also be e-mailed to state police at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. UVA Police can be reached at (434) 924-7166.
Hello Everyone, Dr. Harrington and his wife Gil have asked that the following message be shared with everyone possible in order to express the hope and love they wish Morgan to experience.
The Harringtons have a special message of love they communicate with one another verbally, in notes, and even in signing (perhaps if you have traveled with Dan, you have noticed that this symbol is even on his luggage!) It goes like this:
• • (I love you too much)
• • • • (Forever)
• (And once more)
The Harrington’s believe that if we all think this through, pray/meditate and share it with others, that Morgan will experience the love, comfort and peace that comes from our efforts.
Tonight at the vigil at Northside High School in Roanoke, this symbol will be on t-shirts, and they are asking folks to display it on their cars and windows. Perhaps a group of folks will even get bumper stickers made as a way to keep the message out there.
Please share this information with everyone you can and remember the new tip line 434.352.3467 is still seeking any and all leads.
Thanks so much for keeping the Harrington’s in your thoughts and in your hearts – they are grateful.
Morgan Dana Harrington ought to have arrived at her parents’ Roanoke, Va., home Sunday afternoon, as she did most weekends, but when the 20-year-old Virginia Tech student did not show up, her parents quickly knew something was wrong.
Morgan Harrington was last seen at a Metallica concert in Virginia with friends.
Harrington, an education major, was last seen Saturday night. She mysteriously disappeared when she became separated from two friends at a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia.
Police found her purse, with her ID and cell phone, in the parking lot of the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville — but there was no trace of the young woman.
Police Still Seeking Public’s Help in Locating Missing Person
RICHMOND – Virginia State Police and University of Virginia (UVA) Police are following up on numerous leads regarding the joint investigation into the disappearance and whereabouts of a Virginia Tech student.
Local and state police have been searching for Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, of Roanoke County, Va., since she was reported missing by her parents Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009.
Miss Harrington was last seen Saturday night, Oct. 17, 2009. On Saturday, Miss Harrington and a friend had traveled from Virginia Tech to James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., to meet up with a friend. They then traveled to John Paul Jones Arena at UVA in Charlottesville, Va., to attend a music concert that same evening. During the course of the concert, she became separated from her friends and was unable to reunite with them.
Miss Harrington was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with “Pantera” written on the front in tan letters. She also had on a black mini-skirt with black tights and knee-high black boots. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. Miss Harrington does not have an identification or her cell phone with her.
Miss Harrington is currently a junior at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., majoring in education.
The public is still encouraged to call or e-mail with any information concerning Miss Harrington and/or her whereabouts. Virginia State Police can be reached (434) 352-3435 or by e-mail at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. UVA Police can be reached at (434) 924-7166.
MEDIA NOTE: Two photos of Miss Harrington are available for download on the Virginia State Police Web site…under the “NEWSROOM” heading: www.vsp.virginia.gov.
