MISSING MORGAN: ‘And Then She Was Gone’ Morgan Harrington Vanishes from Metallica Concert
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Charlottesville, VA– Morgan Harrington, 20, a striking blonde junior at Virginia Tech has seemingly vanished.
On Saturday October 17th at 8:48PM, BF to Morgan, Sara Snead, spoke with her friend for the last time.
Turn The Page
By all accounts, Morgan Dana Harrington is a regular girl, with irregular charm and beauty. Out of “The 9”, the name she and her 8 bff’s called their clique, she was the one to wear red to their Sr. Prom when the rest of them chose to wear white.
The daughter of Medical executives Dr. Dan and Gilbert (French Canadian pronounced Jil -Bare) Harrington; Morgan is an education major in her junior year at VT.
Morgan proudly displayed her Metallica tickets on the family Sub Zero a full 6 months prior to that Saturday’s concert. A few days before the event, Morgan brought 3 outfits home to try on for Mom’s feedback and approval.
“She was excited about the concert,” Gil announced to Nancy Grace, “and she brought home three outfits that she tried on for me. We chose one, and she said, ‘Mama, it is a rock concert, so it is probably not what you would choose, but is this one okay?’ It was cute, and she was covered, and I said, ‘That will do fine.’”< ?xml:namespace prefix ="" o />
“You know,” adds the mother– aware that her daughter’s attire has come under fire– “you have to give your kid wings.”
“Ms. Harrington,” replied Grace, “you did something right because there are not a lot of 20-year-olds who would ask their mom what they thought of the outfit she was wearing to a concert.”
When Morgan and Amy Melvin, roomie at VT in their off campus Blacksburg 
apartment arrived in Crozet to pick up Amy Snead and her boyfriend for the evenings event, Morgan called Dr. Harrington, or Poppa, as she affectionately called him, to notify her parents of their safe arrival.
She was due to study for her math test with him as well as reconcile her check book she had recently overdrawn, at noon the following day. When morgan did not show Dr and Mrs. Harrington began calling her friends.
Nothing Else Matters
Like most missing persons cases of young adults, Morgan was thought to potentially be a runaway. Her own parents in an effort to reduce their building panic considered perhaps she had met a new boy and was extending the weekend. They wish she had.
It is unclear why Morgan’s friends did not report her missing when they arrived back in Crozet and Morgan’s car was there along with her keys, untouched. But what is clear, is Morgan’s family and friends are no longer mincing words; they believe Morgan was abducted and has met with foul play.
The Unforgiven 
There is a saying in missing persons cases initial analysis:
Start the clock backwards from the discovery of your best evidence.
Unfortunately, the best evidence in this case was not discovered as tied to a missing persons case; Morgan’s purse, wallet and cell phone found the morning of the 18th were given to local Police as a property recovery.
What your thinking is accurate. Any prints, DNA, compromised.
However, the cell phone had the battery removed. H U G E.
Who dumps a purse and a cell at the verifiable last location of a victim?
Someone familiar with cell pings and tracking, and someone who wants you to think this a local and random act.
What do we know? The VA State Police has issued what they feel to be, a credible timeline of the evenings events after the group is in the venue.
8:30 p.m. – Outside John Paul Jones Arena
8:48 p.m. – Friend called Morgan’s cell phone
9:00 p.m. – Seen in University Hall parking lot adjacent to JPJ
9:10 p.m. – Near Davenport Field RV Park and UVA Track
9:20 p.m. – On Copeley Bridge near intersection with Ivy Road
Rader says, “We know we don’t have all the information there is in Charlottesville about this case.”
He urges anyone who saw anything outside the Metallica concert between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. to call police. Police are concentrating on what happened outside the arena.
Around 8:30 p.m., witnesses saw someone matching Morgan description at the ticket counter outside JPJ, trying to get back in the concert after she ended up outside.
At 8:48 p.m., a friend of Morgan’s inside the arena called her on her cell phone asking if she was OK. Morgan apparently told her friend not to worry as she was going to get a ride from friends in Charlottesville.
Around 9 p.m., witnesses saw Morgan walking and carrying her black purse with backpack straps in the parking lot outside University Hall.
Ten minutes later, Morgan made her way to the RV parking area near the UVA track. On the night of the concert, that area would have been filled with RVs.
Witnesses saw Morgan there around 9:10 p.m., but they said they left about ten minutes later, leaving her in the parking area alone. The morning after the concert, a passerby found Morgan’s purse on the ground.
The last known sighting of Morgan Harrington was on the Copeley Road bridge near Ivy Road at 9:30 p.m.
Police believe people driving or walking along the bridge must have seen Morgan after that time. They believe she may have gotten into a car.
“Perhaps you saw someone stop a vehicle to discuss something with this young lady. That would be important. Perhaps you saw this lady get into a vehicle. That would be important,” says Rader.
The new time line explains why police spent so much time in the Copeley Road area looking for clues. Now, they’re revealing where she was with the hope that someone will know where she is.
Morgan’s parents did not appear the Wednesday news conference, but have said they believe she was taken by a stranger and that foul play was involved.
Police are asking any witnesses to come forward. They say every detail counts, and since the Copeley bridge is well traveled on Saturday nights, they hope to jog people’s memories of the night of October 17.
People can submit tips anonymously by calling the Virginia State Police at 434-352-3467.
*UPDATE*
The body found does not appear to be Morgan, but a young woman with dark hair and dark eyes.
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Dear Father, my goodness Blink, it seems to go on forever. My heart is breaking for her parents and friends. How frightening, how very sad. Someday this crap will end, but unfortunately it ain’t today.
Sister, forgive me, more than usual, this one hits close to home for me.
With ya.
B
Morgan’s friends are lying in my opinion. I have been too many concerts and I would have never let my friends leave go thru a cell phone call. FACE TO FACE MAYBE?
Leave before seeing her favorite group Metallica. Danger BLINK! This does not happen unless she got a death in the family call or she falls ill.
Morgan’s friends are losers. They waited to long to report her missing.
G-
Nice to see you. Nobody is going to like my asessment on this one I’m afraid.
Note the boundaries where she was found, proximity to her home and concert, and scattered evidence.
If this is Morgan, This guy is LE, or has vast knowledge of same. She knew him. He was her target, I have more.
God Bless this child, and the young lady found if they are different people. I can hardly stand it at all.
B
Blink – Are you saying the suspected murderer (if indeed this beautiful girl is gone) is in Law Enforcement?
And, what do you mean by He was Her target? I’m confused by that. Do you mean that she was interested in dating him – and he killed her?
And, I’m also confused on why she left the concert in the first place – and why her friends are telling anyone WHY she left.
It’s all so strange, and terribly heartbreaking.
imo, she knew him. At a minimum the friends knew of him, and he is either LE or a derivative thereof.
That’s my feeling.
B
It seems like the world has gone mad.
There’s definitely a killer hunting there, Blink! He knows and waits for strays, likely empowered after his August murders.
The major question is why she went outside of the arena. She apparently went into the bathroom and then went OUTSIDE! I could see getting confused about where the bathrooms were, but she didn’t even have those ***prized***ticket stubs with her. A fan is going to keep those.
Did Morgan try to use her cell and go outside? Seems the police said she was standing on the apron for about 10 minutes–as if waiting for someone?
Sorry to say, but this was done by a pro. There will be sexual assault and lost life.
And I am so, so sorry about that.
edit above: It should read :why AREN’T her friends telling anyone why she left. Sorry…I have a case of the tireds.
I have a daughter turning 21 on Monday, went to a Jay Z concert on Wedneday. I told her about this girl, and my fears for her. “Oh, Mom!” is what I heard. It is sad and scarey what we feel and try to convey to our daughters. My heart goes out to these parents. I know it could be me. Nothing brings you to your knees any quicker than this. Scarey.
Blink – thanks for the reply.
Horrific..all of it.
I hope they catch this guy in short order – but, if he is In LE, as you think he may be…I would imagine he covered his tracks pretty well. Although – if, as you say, the friends are aware of this guy – perhaps they will be able to shed some light.
And, perhaps, this is why it’s been so “quiet” regarding the friends. More going on behind the scenes than we know, huh?
I believe so yes. Le, faction of, security, you get the drift.
B
it appears confirmed that she was denied reentry, the statement by the person who denied her reentry would be pertinent,surely she gave this person an explanation as to the cicumstances requirng reentry.possibles:to meet someone,to procure something,feeling sick(claustrophic,social phobia,need air..?)cell reception? if she was meeting someone were they trying for their first entry with her as she was denied re-entry. and how much time elasped between her exiting and trying for re-entry?was she upset at being denied reentry.why didnt she call/tell her friends she was denied reentry
oh i see the map now and on it says she discusses getting back in with her friends and says she’ll get a ride home.was it sold out,could not a solution be to purchase a new ticket?its not like an airline ticket,i wouldve offered to pitch in for my friend if it was a matter of low funds.if the situation was such that she just couldnt back in,and couldnt get a new ticket,seems that she didnt go outside to meet someone,seems imo, she decided to walk over to someones house that she knew close by or run into friends somewhere,wouldnt she call them though,maybe she didnt get a chance.
Blink- I have loved reading your site for so long. The work you do is so important right now. This poor girl went missing in my town, and frankly a lot of us locals are pretty appalled at what seems to be a confusing jumble of facts. I understand that the police can’t release anything, but the important stuff came out so late.
Her own poor parents didn’t know she was missing until the next day supposedly. I have been past the arena during concerts as it is near my neighborhood, and there is usually a heavy police/university security presence during events, so I think that you theory is so plausible. It’s just sickening that we are surrounded everyday it seems by these kinds of stories and situations. I truly hope that Morgan is well, but the more you follow this case, the more depressing it becomes. Thanks for featuring Morgan’s story.
TY Amy-
It is a tough call on the part of LE on what to release when, especially with some of the factors being what they are in this case. It seems they are damned if they do… or don’t.
I am equally concerned about the murders of Dave Metzler and Heidi Childs-
B
sorry for seeming dumb but why rv’s (motorhomes?),lots of them?are they sure she made it out of the parking lot & over the bridge to copely & ivy?(to grandmothers house we go)she wasnt wearing red this night was she?(little red riding hood),did whoever denied her reentry say she seem intoxicated?was there tailgate partying in the parking lots?
Oh my gosh, I hope that body is not Morgan. I have been following this case since it came out a couple weeks ago and have been curious why no real questioning of the friends has been released. Her parents seem very genuine and I pray that their daughter is found alive…How far away from the concert, was the female body found?
This may sound a little off, but very real. My son goes to Metallica
concerts..he says,crazy people attend..the ones that gather with the RV’s have drugs for sale..He said that she was probably coming out to meet some one to get drugs..cause this would be a reason she would of left the concert..maybe following someone out to get them. We parents think we know child..but they can surprise us. Remember this group is heavy metal music….people come from all over the USA and Canada.
I think about this beautiul girl everyday, and hope she will be found. The parents need closure.
Ok, just mapped the towns. Its anywhere from 5.5 to 6.5 hours away from the concert location. Also only 4.5 hours away from Myrtle Beach where Brittanee Drexel disappeared from. Whoever it is, I pray for the family that will soon recieve this dreaded news.
Here is a link with pics of clothing found w/the body. Nothing appears to match the description given of either Brittanee or Morgan. Also read somewhere that the woman had dark eyes and dark hair….
oops, sorry. forgot the link.
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/21471322/detail.html
Hey Blink,
In the article you linked regarding the deceased woman they found, there is another article stating that they need help in identifying the girl. It says she has dark hair and dark eyes. It doesn’t sound like it’s Morgan. Another murdered girl? This world is getting scarier by the minute.
I don’t understand why Morgan’s friends didn’t go down to the gate to try to help her get back into the concert when she couldn’t get back in. Also, who were the friends from Charlottesville who she was supposedly getting a ride home from? Does anybody know?
It does sound like she was “meeting” someone. Her friends must know this, if it is true. I don’t see any other reason why she would go outside.
Yes, it does not sound like it is her. There is no doubt in my mind Morgan was lured out of the concert on purpose.
B
Blink-
Cool touch using all Metallica songs as headers.
Somebody knows something and we are offering $50 Grand to help find this girl. We are family dudes too.
Lars
Just a reminder to everyone of all ages and at all functions in days like these: Buddy System! Do not go alone anywhere on class trips, concerts, etc. Remember Natalee Holloway. She left her group and went somewhere with strangers. As Blink suggested, Morgan was lured into it, just as Natalee was.
Lars glad to see Metallica is helping by upping the reward money..good job.
Blink I think you mean York Co South Carolina not PA?
It is so sad that all these young people continue to be prey for whomever is out there stalking them. It would appear the August murders and this one are related. And late August being the time young people start returning to campus.
I hope they find Morgan and are able to apprehend her murderer before anyone else meets a similar fate.
Thanks DD, I fixed that last eve but between the publishing programs I use it reverts sometimes, thanks for the heads up.
Yep. It was the first week of school.
B
I heard about this one earlier. She goes to a concert she was looking way forward to and LEAVES before it even starts? Blink, have they checked her computer and cell phone ? Cell phone for text messages. There was some reason she left and it wasn’t to get popcorn. Lured out? intresting…that would mean some kind of text message perhaps. Or someone gesturing to her. Her friends had to have seen something. Was there some creep bothering them? The answer just might be in her cell phone. Friends called her, friends claim she told them she will get a lift from friends? Her friends at the concert didn’t see something wrong here. Im in NO way blaming her friends, but….whats odd is her parents claim she was looking all to forward to the concert…..Yet her friends left her leave with no explaination as to why? They call her and they stay at the concert even though she tell them not to worry. I see a problem here…… I think there way a guy involved somehow that they all knew. I am having a hard time with the concert she was looking all to forward to….And she leaves……something is not right with that……thats your first clue. Perhaps it was a cover up to meet someones else…. My prayers are with the family.
They recovered her cell sans the battery. I sincerely hope not sans a sim card.
B
Her friend gives her a kiss on the check as she presumably leaves to go to the bathroom..huh? I think she may have been giving her a kiss on the check because Morgan got a call from someone else she was meeting there and told her friends she was going to find them. The friends know more and seem like caring individuals. I am sure they have told LE what they know, which may be a help in discerning who or what lored her out of that buildng before Metallica ever went on stage.
I agree DD, and they are not speaking to the press, which I think is wise.
B
This is driving me crazy. I posted this on her facebook.
Can anyone shed some light on something I have yet to see brought up?
Morgan’s parents said she was not dating anyone.
However, who was her last boyfriend? Recent breakup?
Unreciprocated admiration?
If this had happened at VT, I promise you that is the first place that would be looked at. Perhaps the fact that this happened away is actually the opportunity someone in her life was waiting for?
Just throwing it out there, but like many, what I am seeing is anything but random.
There is no plausible explanation for dumping her purse and cell ( sans battery) except to say “I was abducted here”, “You should look here.”
Imo, this will be his undoing. There was nobody in that area when the last witnesses left. Does anyone think he comes back and dumps it?
Hell to the No.
He evades every camera. This is not some dude sitting around with the hopes some lovely young woman gets shut out of a concert.
I have been thinking about what you said also Blink. When the hubs and I first heard about this story his first words were, “she was meeting some guy from the Internet or something I bet”. Maybe a fellow fan? Maybe a person who works with the band?
People don’t buy expensive tickets and get super excited just to leave at the beginning of the show when they know they can’t get back in. Unless as my husband and I think- what if this mystery person assured Morgan that he could get her back in and not to worry, and she knew he was in a position to do so, which made Morgan trust him enough to meet him outside?
Did the band staff or roadies or whatever park in the RV lot that night? We have been wondering this.
NO. there were no rv’s parked there that evening according to witnesses, and the band was not either.
B
that was my last thought as i went to sleep was: would some one come back and dump her purse or is this where she entered an rv. if she was lured the first thing they might have done was dislodge her cell battery.
Removing the battery, for me only serves one purpose if your throwing it out anyway; So that GPS or remote access for pinging purposes cannot be accomplished. Secondly, if the sim is gone as well, it certainly slows down LE in accessing that information. Why? They need a warrant, and those are not quick. If the account was in parents names, it would go alot quicker, but if it is in hers, right now, there is no crime, and cell providers are wary of that.
I hate to say this, but the reality is, if someone is smart enough to go through all this planning and execution, they are also smart enough to believe however erroneously that they are just buying time for the first weeks to increase the odds of the finger not being able to directly point at them. Again, takes me to the same background of the offender.
B
it seems going over the bridge is leaving the area ,if indeed she was spotted at copely and ivy, where was going?seems she would have to have a destination in mind.
I personally do not believe that sighting. She was spotted crossing the lot approaching the area with her purse, passes the area where her purse is found and then seen on the bridge? Makes no sense to me.
B
Hi Blink,
If I went to a concert with friends and we weren’t all accounted for after the concert, there is NO WAY we would have left without our friend.
We would have looked for him/her. Called 911 and turned to stone waiting at the arena. What were these kids thinking? And why didn’t they call her parents until 16 hours had passed? My “spidey sense” is telling me something is wrong with their story.
Just saying.
I agree with you. But I am not prepared to condemn them for the actions of an adult. What I am HOPING is more likely, is that they have been permitted to say only what they have and are not in a position to address any more or less.
I am giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one. That said, I want people to be crystal clear:
YOU DO NOT GO ANYWHERE at this type of venue BY YOURSELF… MALE OR FEMALE, For ANY REASON.
Try this.. google a destination of a public place you plan on attending, google missing from (insert place). If you get so much as one hit, you have determined it is a POSSIBILITY. You now need to protect yourself by removing the opportunity for anyone to victimize you while you are alone. For the most part, what is the common denominator in mp case?
They were alone at the time they went missing.
B
Blink- in regards to your reply to Susan M, I don’t know if you have been to the area around the arena, but you are spot on. We haven’t believed this sighting either. The bridge going towards Alderman is far past the lot where Morgan’s things were supposedly found. Why would the offender back track to leave those? Also, unless Morgan was incapacitated to the point of unconsciousness, she would know she doesn’t have her purse with her and I think her state would be obvious to the witnesses. This sighting makes little to no sense unfortunately.
No matter what the police say the missing battery has been a point of alarm to us. The fact that it was gone is so telling to me. Perp grabs Morgan quickly, VERY quickly to avoid being heard or seen, and then removes battery from phone and throws it and purse down as she is pulled into a vehicle. I have also wondered, was she chatting with one person while another grabbed, or hit her from behind? So many questions. I actually have tickets to take my little ones to see a show tomorrow at this arena, but I am not sure that I have the heart for it. It has always seemed such a safe place, but clearly, like so many other naive people my eyes are being opened to the dangers to me and my children more everyday.
I can’t seem to stop thinking about this young woman, and I hope everyday for miraculous good news in her case. Still naive, huh?
“Morgan proudly displayed her tickets on the SubZero”. More than one ticket, they probably all knew she was meeting someone for the concert and a sleep over, he made up some excuse that she needed to come out side for and then decided to leave with him. Did he evade all cameras Blink? This creep (if any) did everything right. I’m sure her friends know of him but somehow he will have that covered up too. I know you know more B, wish you could share!
Big ups Lars for offering a reward. Being a family man I’m sure Morgans disappearance during your concert is bothering all of you. I think this would’ve happened know matter what the circumstance.
Someone set their sights on her and she had no clue who she was dealing with.
Just wanted to chime in and say thanks to Lars for the reward.
Is there anything Metallica could have done to make their concert safer?
#24 blink yes and in addition if the perp had sights on her dislodging the battery at first oppurtunity prevented her from taking any incoming calls.
These three beautiful blond girls all look similar..Brittney/Morgan/the couple…how far away are all of these from each other? Wasn’t Brittney from VA?? and drove to Myrtle Beach?? or someplace in a motel with her friends? And she never came back…I do not remember the story..just that her and Morgan look the most a like..very pretty..Think of all the people Morgan could of told she was going to see Metallica in the six months that would pass, until the final day. It is hard for me to believe that she left the concert for a guy, when this was a golden chance to see this band she had waited for, for so long.
Even if there was no RV’s, which is hard to believe, there was for sure,mini vans and perhaps campers….Every time I go to a concerts, mostly Phish concerts..there are people from 8 to 80 from all over the USA and Canada…Everyone has drugs to sell or hand out..If I wouldn’t already had enough,I could get high for another 40 years. These kids, no matter how straight you think they are, are trying X and other drugs today. Recently my 16 year old goodie goodie chubby grandson,said he had tried X and weed…I was so shocked…I remember my son, who went to a private Christian brother’s high school,would tell me anything you want,you can get in the bathroom at school. He waited until college to try weed and like most sheltered teens that attend private school..blossom in college..So I do not think buying drugs should be ruled out..perhaps this is why the other two girls waited so long..because they were high on X already? JMO
Her friends,need to volunteer for Polys!
Confuddled again Blink…her friends let her walk away, get stuck outside, couldn’t get back in and told them don’t worry some friends will drive me back to Charlottesville. Doesn’t add up, what are we missing? Why didn’t the friends react to ANYTHING? Drugs? Okay, sure and she had the connect to go and get them outside maybe but who walks out of a concert can’t get back in and not call their friends for help? More Sunday Blink?
Very, very OT but what did the Blinkettes dress as for Halloween? My son is 12 and I couldn’t force him to go, doggonnit! I admit it…I wanted to go through the candy bag too! Happy Halloween everybody.
I do pray this family and all others here at BOC some peace and resolution soon. God Bless you all for having to endure what you should never have to.
This is going to crack the hallows of BOC up fo shizz. Blink Jr was wearing an orange prison jumpsuit with a skullcap, I made him a sign which he would not take that said “This is how I get grounded, want to be adopted?” And Blinkette was a Genie this year. I want to turn back time daily.
B
Blink, your article says they picked up friend in CROZET to go to concert, newspapers are saying Harrisonburg. Which is it? Thanks in advance!
That is based on an address we were given, if the car was not where we were told, it could have been in Harrisonburg.
B
So much confusing info re: this story . . . LE says friend drove MORGAN’S car to Arena, her parents say it wasn’t Morgan’s car but a friends. Interesting – did someone provide you with an address in Crozet? I actually live in the area and Crozet and Harrisonburg are NOT close to one another. Interesting someone would provide you with a Crozet address. More info on that?
Also, wonder why the “boyfriend” hasn’t been identified. Is that considered “normal” for these types of investigations do you think?
Yes and No.
Yes if they have not been cleared. I do believe this chap has been referred to by Dr. Harrington as a friend to Morgan, texting during the concert.
B
Poor Blink Jr. — bless his little heart. You tell him if he wants to “blow that popcorn stand” just to let me know. We will not leave bread crumbs. This was way too funny!!!
I will if you want him to own your heart in a blink, lol. To tell the truth, I dont think he has ever been grounded long enough to clean up his legos.
B
Blink, you may be as sick as me in the humor dept.! lol I would have gone one further and said “I won’t take you if you don’t hold the sign”!!!!! Too darn cute. My one regret about my son getting older is that I didn’t get many pictures and what I had accumulated was lost by movers in a cross town move. You can’t put a price on that one nor replace them. Aren’t kids amazing! Glad you had a great time, don’t sugar load tonight you’ll regret it in the am.
Blink, I was talking about the “boyfriend” of one of the girls that drove to the concert with them. Reports released the two girls names that were in the car but not the guy’s name.
That would be Sara’s , but agreed I dont know his name. Dr. Harrington was not referring to him in his comments, and I am clear there was an effort to skirt the issue, imo.
B
Blink -
You probably can’t say but do you have any suspects in mind? I wanted to discuss the possibility of someone but I don’t know what you rules are about posting names, etc. if they haven’t been named publicly by police as suspects.
Without saying too much, someone that had been a security guard, who’s favorite show was “COPS”, among other things that I won’t point out yet until I get guidance as to what’s allowed here…someone like that might would think to take a battery out of phone right?
Sal- I know who your referring to “WT”. Candace on my team was on him like a dog on a chew toy early on. Personally, I just feel he is an “interjector”, as happens frequently in these cases. Here is my profile of the “unsub”:
Yes, or rather a profile which will not be popular.
This offender screams LE or faction thereof: Ie: former LE, trained in LE but for whatever reason may also work security.
You have a massive campus and Morgan goes missing at the one place there are no cameras. The CCTV or digital infareds (if they have them) must be approved by zoing or the school board prior to installation. The monitoring contracts must be awarded pubicly, even if the specifics are sealed.
Her Father was on staff at this school for many years, her brother an alumni. I dont believe that Morgan did not know she could not get back in, I think whatever lured her outside was the promise to both get her back in, and something worth her while to take the risk- maybe backstage passes or VIP seating?
Who would you believe had access to that?
If one researches and is able to find all that information, you must consider if there are cameras on campus that may have come from Homeland Security Grants, which ARE NOT subject to public disclosure; but accessible as to their whereabouts, by LE or campus security (via clearance).
You have a cell and purse discarded with the battery removed. I have not had an opportunity to study the ping differentials of this area, but based on how rural it is, let’s say it has a +/- of 5 miles at a minimum. If you really want to throw LE off, why not throw it out the window in 3 miles going the wrong way? Throw it in a creek and short it? He is aware of the technology that would ensue, and help to establish their destination. I am going to make a leap and say that the phone also was missing the SIM card if it takes one and if not, was “reset” before the battery was removed.
In an instance where they cannot establish foul play, if the phone was in her name, you could be looking at 30 days at a minimum to get a warrant.
That said, if they have evidence we are not aware ,or a POI, that would be moot inasmuch as they would already have access to data up until the power is removed from the phone. If they have access, I believe they will have either texts or calls from a prepaid or bat phone, or some other call scrambling mechanism.
Again, leads me to someone with investigative knowledge.
I say this with utmost respect for LE. I also say that having worked with them, that good investigators and officers don’t mind looking in their own backyard because they dont have anything to hide.
Lastly, you have to consider the possibility of the connection of the Metzler and Childs murders in Caldwell Field. Childs Father is VA State Trooper. I can state as a fact that the possibility of someone posing as LE or security is in the top 3 of their offender profile for these murders.
Anyone reading here know if Morgan had a former BF that is VT deputy or security?
***************************************************************************************
I developed that before a poster on MOrgan’s facebook pointed out a guy friend of Morgan’s texted her during the concert, mentioned on NG with no follow up-
GRACE: That`s what I don`t understand. If she was just going to the bathroom, then why did she go outside the arena? Have they looked at her cell phone? Did anyone contact her and lure her out?
HARRINGTON: It does not appear there were other calls to Morgan during that period of time. There was some texting of Morgan to a young gentleman that she was friends with, but it was no one in Charlottesville. It was further away and so — but he`s not a suspect at all at this time.
GRACE: Right. So they were just probably texting about what, the concert, that she was at the concert, stuff like that?
HARRINGTON: Yes.
GRACE: OK. And he was in a different city?
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0910/29/ng.01.html
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How would they be sure he was in a different city and why use the words, “not a suspect at this time..”?
Was he supposed to be on duty somewhere?
I could be wrong, but this profile is sticking to me like a shadow.
B
Fan from Metallica site thought maybe she saw Morgan in the bathroom after first act… but before Metallica performed. Said something like… girl looked like Morgan and was crying. Had been hit in face. Let’s say you have alot of wild body gyrations at a heavy metal concert and you are accidently smashed in face. Well it’s possible you would spend time outside to reduce swelling and calm down. Perhaps go to your car to repair your face and in process encounter someone who offers to help …
I am sooo happy to see you covering this, Blink! I have to admit, it’s a new obsession and (mea culpa!) I’ve been away from this site for the past two days reading up on this mystery. So I’ll dive in.
My first guess was just like most folks’—she had arranged a rendezvous with an internet stranger. Facebook makes stalking easier I reckon, since you telegraph your moves, so that’s very possible. But leaving the concert before the band takes the stage? Security most likely would have warned her about NO RE-ADMITTANCE, and there usually are prominent signs as well.
What about the scrape on her chin, consistent with slipping and falling (but not assault, says LE:)
(snip)
Additional specifics on missing Virginia Tech student confirmed
State police said a scrape on Morgan Harrington’s face was likely from a fall, not an assault.
By Rex Bowman
Saturday, October 31, 2009
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.
….
“Many of those we’ve spoken to during the course of this investigation recalled seeing a minor scrape or cut on the face of the young woman they saw fitting Miss Harrington’s description,” Geller said. “This injury would be consistent with a slip or fall. In no way would such a minor abrasion be associated with an assault.”
more at link http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/224544
So, is she inebriated in some way? She ends up outside of the arena because she is disoriented or feels sick, or is she tossed out by security, or she leaves on purpose and the injury is just from slipping on something innocently, like in the ladies room?
How about the witnesses who said they saw her keep dropping her purse as she was walking outside? That would seem consistent with inebriation, and could also explain the missing battery, if the phone hit the ground hard and she scooped it up with the rest of the stuff from her purse and just didn’t notice (again, drunk or upset or something) that the battery had popped out.
And what about the conflicting stories about whose car was driven there? Dad says her friend’s car, LE says friends drove Morgan’s car the last leg of the trip to the concert, so Morgan did not have her keys. Who walks away from their own car instead of asking the friends to bring the keys to the gate so she could sit in it? Unless she was in a squabble with the friends and they were afraid she would ditch them there.
Why did she go to the ladies room alone instead of in a pack like most young ladies? Does that mean the friends either knew she was leaving to meet someone, or were perhaps in a squabble.
Suz-
I have 2 nieces and a cousin-in- law that are this girls age, sophmore, junior and freshmen. All spindly pretty blondes like our dear Morgan. I learned something the hard way. They are fearless and trusting and it scares the chit out of me.
This is a crisis, make no mistake. I know I sound like a broken record, but if you have a loved one in this category, I implore you to buy them “The Gift of Fear” by Gavin Debecker. Have a book review party with her and her friends and role play possible scenarios relating to their enviornment. Develop plans and processes that everyone agrees to in an emergency.
I have not read where she was dropping her purse, but the interview with Dave Gardner, the witness from NJ was very credible to me. She was bubbly, did not appear intoxicated at the onset, and then we have her with a scrape and crying, getting texts from a guy allegedly not in that city.
I am praying for this sweet girl and her family, but I truly feel LE has someone in their sites and they are in the tracking process, for more than a few reasons.
B
Thanks, Blink. I was also mystified by NG’s lack of follow-up about who Morgan was texting and where that person (allegedly) was—and whether they know for SURE where that person was. The other thing that can happen with texts, of course, is that anyone who had her phone could have sent texts from it. I wish we knew what those texts said.
Seems like alot of info is being kept close to the vest deliberately (for instance, I’m guessing the police originally did not disclose her injury because they wanted witnesses to describe it on their own, as verification it was Morgan?), and I am sure it’s probably a sound strategy, but it sure is frustrating to have so few puzzle pieces.
I wish we could hear from her friends.
Blink, from your experience, does this seem about normal for the start of an investigation—I mean, the very few, sketchy details emerging, the conflicting stories about the car, etc. That is, compared to other cases—are we seeing the usual amount of info, less info than usual, or more info than usual?
Thats kind of a loaded question, but let me say it this way, this strikes me as an investigation that started off in one direction, and is migrating. Dr. and Mrs. Harrington are both very educated and with resources at their disposal. I expect them to cooperate with LE, and I expect them to quietly utilize resources simultaneously and I would not consider anything that comes from them accidental or happenstance. Keeping in mind, I have seen the most brilliant and resourceful people reduced to a “heap” in this situation, as God Forbid, I probably would. Sometimes your faculties fail you for a reason, when your not the best person for the job.
B
Wow, that was one of the longest Blink responses I’ve seen! Regarding the scrape on her face–it may look like it resulted from a fall, but she could have fallen because she was pushed or hit or chased.
Just attended an event at the John Paul Jones arena today and Ihave some questions for more experience sleuthers than me. First, I have noticed while living here in Cville that I get NO cell reception when I drive past the arena. If I am on a call I immediately lose it, so I have suspected for a while that there is some sort of interference with all of the equipment at the arena. Mind you this area is IN my call area and not even roaming, yet no reception EVERY time.
I texted my husband from the arena, which is 1.3 miles from our house where he was and for some reason it took almost 15 minutes for him to receive it which is a huge lag time for us on locally sent texts. Don’t know if this is relevant or me reaching, but there it is. Also, while being inside today I noticed how clearly marked everything was to include the no entry policy and all of the bathrooms. Also, once the lights are lowered in this place there are at least a kajillion dark shadowy places right on top of the arena seating areas. so many awful possibilities here. Poor Morgan, I am keeping her in my thoughts especially today. Also, after the event as we were leaving, no parking lot security in sight – at all.
Also, and MORE upsetting to me NO posters of Morgan at the arena. Am I allowed to say WTF? If this was my child I would be so outraged right now. I am anyway. Come home safe Morgan.
Blink -
Re the person I mentioned last night. You are correct that is the person I was referring to. Here is more info from his own posts….he admits he worked part time at the arena:
http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=162224546575&topic=10368
(see post 19)
Not only has he been a security guard but he is currently a volunteer EMT and involved in search and rescue in the area. He would definitely know the area well. Here is another quote fom that same site:
“As I’ve told Kristin, I am an EMT and involved with search and rescue in this area. Monday afternoon I called all surrounding counties police departments asking if any sort of organized volunteer searches had been setup. As of that time none had given me any indication when this will happen. I was informed to continue to monitor fire/rescue channels and when and if they do put out a request I will inform everyone here on this group.”
MONITOR FIRE AND RESCUE CHANNELS….he could be listening in to see how close they are getting IF he were the perp.
Have you looked into him at all? He has a strange porn fetish and I will leave it at that. I think you have my e-mail b/c I have to enter it to post. If you want to know more, e-mail me or if it’s ok to lay it all out here, just let me know and I will post it.
You may already know this and have good reason to not consider him. Something about him just doesn’t sit right with me. I trust your judgement as you are much better at this stuff than me.
Wow, Amy J., I’m surprised about the lack of posters at the venue—AND the lack of security, considering. You’d think they’d beef it up just for PR purposes (though maybe they don’t want it to look like they have any liability in the matter).
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