Missing VT Student Morgan Harrington Body Found Near Charlottesville
BREAKING NEWS
Abermarle Cty– VA
While official confirmation is not expected until the earliest this evening, sources inside the investigation have confirmed to blinkoncrime.com that the remains located on Anchorage Farm in South Abermarle County are that of missing Virginia Tech Student Morgan Dana Harrington.
Property Records reflect the farm is owned by The Bass Family, but has no known association to Morgan or the Harrington family.
The thoughts and prayers of the readers and editors of blinkoncrime.com wish to extend their deepest condolences to the family of Morgan Harrington.
Please check back for updates to this breaking story.
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Even though we all prayed for Morgan to be found, and I knew this day might come, I find myself totally unprepared for this news today. I am in shock. There is a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes, and I am truly grieving for Morgan and her family.
I was hoping beyond hope that she would be found alive.
This is a sad, sad day.
My heart goes out to the Harrington’s.
Did you mean to say UVA student rather than a VT student?
#94 Comment by Enquirer — January 26, 2010 @ 4:55 pm
I in no way believe this person to be a close friend of morgan, a repeat offender, or a basketball player. I believe this to be a VT student who was not known to Morgan and who lured her with the promise of an afterparty (perhaps the party did exist, but they never arrived).
R.I.P. Morgan Harrington
Comment by Justice — January 26, 2010 @ 6:21 pm
“From the news conference on HLN, Lt. Radar stated he will not issue a “warning” to the people in Charlottesville. WTF?”
Wasn’t able to watch the live streaming.
Thinking the perp(s) aren’t in Charlottesville and/or they already have someone(s) in custody or at least under surveillance.
Now is the time to look around to see if anyone is acting different.
13 million people have searched for Wayne Townsend and Morgan Harrington toegther, i would say certain few individuals are very very suspicious about this guy!
See for yourself:
http://i45.tinypic.com/246pams.jpg
if you goto google.com type out “wayne townsend morgan harringto” but dont put the last n on the word harrington, basicly google will suggest to you the most similar searches done by others people.
Why would wayne townsend be searched so much?
Ryan, I deleted the last line Because I cannot have you make an accusation like that on here.
That said, I put your info in the right hands 2 weeks ago, rest assured.
B
Thanx everyone for all your posts throughout this who;e ordeal.
Thanx Blink for your amazing insight and wisdom
Now lets catch this monster
My thoughts and prayers are with the Harrington family, and all who loved Morgan. I can’t even imagine. I hope the knowledge that people around the world are wrapping their arms around them and holding them up will bring them some measure of comfort.
Now let’s go get the b@stard who did this.
Comment by lakeluver — January 26, 2010 @ 6:24 pm
“Blink, et al
Our local news just reported that there is no public access road to the farm, you would have to take the private drive.
They also said the field where she was found was a hay field and it was last plowed in August. They said that in October, when Morgan went missing it would have been waist high.”
Is this area accessible by horse or is this field used for horseback?
#
Alison January 26th, 2010 | 12:48 pm
From http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/01/26/tragic-tale-body-of-woman-found-at-farm/
Comment by Alison: January 26th, 2010 | 12:48 pm
Just a few months before this, my friend disappeared from the Dave Matthews concert in DC. She woke up on the side of a road later that night, with cuts and bruises. Her purse was found outside the concert venue. She has no memory of even leaving the concert. Thank God she’s ok, but her experience, coupled with Morgan’s disappearance, and one other concert disappearance I heard about this year in VA make me think someone is out there preying on women at concerts.
My thoughts are with the Morgans.
In the press conference Lt. Rader said that the body was found in a hay field on the farm, and that the hay was last cut in August, and at the time Morgan disappeared it would have been waist high.
I agree, someone HAD to know this farm, or at least this part of the county. On the mapquest map, you can see the hay, and the hayfield can be accessed from Anchorage Farm Road by walking through a very short wooded area. It stands to reason that the perp could have pulled off to the edge of the road and carried her into the hay. If they picked this spot intentionally, as opposed to opportunistically, it seems they would have had to know this hay wouldn’t be cut again until spring.
Also, I don’t know how old the mapquest maps are, but the grass is still green in the picture. If you look at it, on Red Hill Road, there is a house that looks like it was just built. The perp could be someone who worked on that house or lives in it, and therefore had a good idea of where to put a victim. Or, more likely, the perp(s) is/are someone who knew there was a party house on this property. Whether there was a party there that night or not, they knew the area was secluded, with lots of hiding places. They might or might not be college-aged; they could be older, having partied there in the past.
#151 – Ross
No, I did mean VT.
#139 – Blink
Thanks for the clarification. This seems more viable.
my heartfelt sympathy to the Harrington family and all of the kind souls that care about Morgan. It is always hard even when the inevitable is expected. I hope the Harringtons can feel the love that goes with them as they retrieve their daughter.
Blink, comment 143, left at 5:19pm was not written by me, but by someone else with the name Sue.
Blink – carrying over my comment from the previous thread linked on SM FP. I hope you don’t mind. : )
# Comment by Rob — January 26, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
Good Afternoon Blink and All.
I, like all, of you have followed Morgan’s story from the beginning and usually post in the SM Forum. I haven’t been posting for a few months, but I have been reading where-ever I can about Morgan. She is always near my heart and in my thoughts and prayers.
I have never thought that Morgan’s disappearance would have a pleasant outcome. Sure, I hope, but I have been around these cases for too long to know what was really the most likely outcome. Keeping a captive alive takes resources and planning. Not many abductors are that caring nor are they that concerned about the health and welfare of the person they have abducted.
There were several areas I noticed throughout the case that caught my attention.
First, I always believed that Morgan made a very unfortunate decision. And that was hitch-hiking. But kids will be kids and they are known for making mistakes. We were all kids once and we all made similar mistakes. I don’t truly know if Morgan had been drinking and / or using drugs (I just don’t know and I was not there), I have never heard anyone state that was a fact, but kids do drink at concerts and maybe she was – maybe she wasn’t. I don’t know if that’s the most important and relevant portion of the case.
The “Necklace”. This was a clue that the police kept guarded in the beginning of the case. The reason this was so guarded was in the event someone claimed to have spotted her – they would naturally mention the necklace. It would be nearly impossible to conceal and for a witness it miss. Therefore, the lady that saw the “Pant” shirt did not see Morgan or she would have seen the necklace. Also, the person who was delivering the morning news at roughly 3:30 am did not see Morgan either – and – likewise for the Woman? who said she saw her at a convenience store miles and miles from Charlottesville. I do not believe anyone saw Morgan after the bridge where she entered the car. And she was not at the UVA dorms or with the basketball players more than what was disclosed by the Authorities.
I believe a tragic set of circumstances contributed to many of the events that have unfurled. The phone and it’s battery prevented Morgan from being triangulated and that hurt the case and finding Morgan terribly. The camera and it’s contents may have certainly helped but the police have their methods and protocols. I am sure they are operating with the best of intentions.
I’m not sure if that lunatic from the furniture store is involved, but even if he’s not – I hope the business goes down the drain. He deserves that for the heartbreak he caused.
My theory has always been that Morgan got into a car right near the Arena (at the end of the bridge) and was abducted. I have also believed that Morgan was deceased on the night she vanished. I have always believed that she would be found in the nearby areas, and that a local is responsible for her demise. Statistics usually help in a case like Morgan’s.
I do not believe anyone set out to abduct Morgan or anyone else, but was more or less a random occurrence that ended in a very very horrible way. The chances that a serial killer was trolling near the arena and happened upon someone hitching is remote, but it could happen. I do not think that’s what happened in this case.
I know, from what I have read, that her family is devastated and I think we can all related to the tremendous emotions and sorrow they feel not knowing where Morgan is or what her fate may be. The Harringtons are always in my prayers. To have such a lovely, beautiful and talented daughter is a blessing, and to have her ripped from you is a horror most of us will never know – thank God.
I hate to say that the young lady discovered is Morgan, because I don’t know yet – but my heart is telling me this is her. I believe Morgan will be found and the person responsible will be caught. I feel it’s all just a matter of time – even though THAT time moves so slowly for those of us bound by Earth and God’s time.
Prayers for Morgan
Hi All:
I know it’s been a stressful day for all, but I would like to get a better visual of the property. I am having trouble pulling up a link to the Farm House and the property. Can someone post a link ?
About how far was Morgan’s body found from the road? Observer said she was found at the tree line?
Can soemone help me out?
Oh, and where is our skyler? I cannot believe she hasn’r posted yet.
Never posted before. I’m wondering if Mr. Bass ownes any “METALHEADS”?
lakeluvr just posted : “They also reported that the “friends” started hearing about this in the A.M. and that they are almost certain it’s Morgan because of a bracelet she was wearing.”
I didn’t hear the police say that about the friends in the press conference. Did I just miss it, or did that come from another source?
My wish for the Harringtons is that they are able to find their way to the day that Morgan is again “shiny” in their hearts. Gil has been so adamant that they must limit the collateral damage, but I know the burden on them will be tremendous as they are forced to give up that last hope. I believe that they will make every attempt for her life and their love to have continued meaning.
My wish for the friends is that they are able to gain control of their own lives, and realize that they must live in a positive manner now, not if and when they finally get around to growing up.
My wish for anyone carrying the burden of knowing what happened to Morgan is that they are able to share that burden with a clear conscience. Perhaps now, if suspicion has clarified to certainty, they will do that.
My wish for everyone here is that they remember and share the lessons learned in these threads. There has been much wisdom that I see ignored by college students each and every day.
My wish for Morgan is peace everlasting.
(Perhaps Skyler is having a moment of silence.)
I am still just heartbroken and numb. I don’t even have words for this, but I do have faith in Denise Lunsford, and I think that whoever is responsible for Morgan’s death better now be scared for his or her life. Morgan is here to tell her story.
Chad: try this:
http://tinyurl.com/yeqeep3
Then use the “satellite” button to show landscape.
Also use the street view feature to see what the farm looks like from 29 South. Photos don’t lie — it is that steep close to the road.
Scrolling through the street view, I see something that I had forgotten: there is a cut-through the median to 29N just opposite the farm driveway. Do a 360 in street view and you’ll see what I mean.
There is also Albemarle GIS:
http://gisweb.albemarle.org/
Search for the property. Click map and then select the theme “orthophotos”.
What would lead you to think some one from VT (that as you stated Morgan didn’t know) would do something like this in UVA’s back yard?
re #161 Comment by Enquirer — January 26, 2010 @ 6:51 pm
#151 – Ross
No, I did mean VT.
So how far off of a road (any road) were the remains found? Were they at the edge of a hayfield (near woods) or a little ways into the field, or far into the field?
So…like everyone, I think it’s mostly likely a local person.
I also assume it happened shortly after the abduction since it’s so close to where she was last seen. But..I guess that will be hard to determine.
But let’s say it did. It’s a wet, cold, drizzly night. Dark. I’m sure there are no lights around there, or not many.
If she’s already deceased at the time she is placed in the hayfield, then the perp must be strong enough to lug dead weight (how far?) into the field? And over how many fences and what kind? Any barbed wire or are they just planks or wire or what?
Or is she alive and able to walk there on her own power?
If a sexual assault is part of the scenario, and I would think that to be likely, then the woods would be a drier venue on such a night, unless it already took place in the car or elsewhere and she is just being marched to her doom. Or, again, she is dead and is carried or dragged there.
I wonder if they will be able to determine cause of death.
Odd that no one saw buzzards around. My friend’s farm gets them fairly quickly when there’s a dead cow or horse or other animal. I realize it’s a large farm (700 acres compared to my friend’s 70) but you’d think the farmers would have noticed something like that. I know people were watching for such things.
can we please agree to post links for information sources?
Yes, please, everyone.
I am not going to be available for much responding as this story develops, and as you all can see the traffic is huge, so please-
TIA
B
Enquirer, I’m interested in learning more about how you came up with your description of what happened and who the perp may be.
Thanks.
Chad…
If you go to this site scroll down and you will see the map of the area. Click on SAT-for satellite and you can you the plus sign there on your left to zoom in. Hope that helps.
Deepest condolences to the Harringtons. Words fail, really.
In looking at the area where Morgan was found as indicated in post #35 the site can also be accessed by Chopin Drive just to the north which circles around the Blandemar Estates development. I don’t believe Chopin Drive is a private road. Chopin Drive accesses Route 29 through Red Hill Road or Taylor Gap Road just a little south of where Anchorage Farm Road meets Route 29. These are multi-million dollar homes on about 20 to 30 acres each, so I would doubt that any house in the area would be rented by students, but perhaps one of the older homes that preceeded the recent residential development might be. The area used to be a farming area but the super-rich are moving in leaving pockets of the original farmers.
The site measures out to be 6.8 miles from the JPJ arena in a straight line so the driving distance would be about 10 or 11 miles, as one poster has stated. No way Morgan would have walked to where she was found, and no way it was a randomly selected site. Someone had to know the area well, either by living there or by having friends or family living there.
Oops sorry Chad
http://www.nbc29.com/Global/story.asp?S=11881412
Just from looking at maps, I’m with everyone who is inclined to think that Red Hill Rd was used to access this location, that the perp is familar with this area and IMO, I think it is also a spot that could be checked on occasion to see if anything had “popped” up or was visible.
What a cold, cloudy, bleak afternoon it was in Charlottesville today. Matched the tragic news six miles south. Listened to the state police press conference on the drive home. They had it live on local radio. Maybe it’s just wishful thinking on my part, bu I thought it sounded like they had found some significant and helpful evidence on site. It’s all just too damn sad.
#118
Thanks Blink!
You reference the possible perp as ‘he’. Hmmmmmmm…..
As for my question, it was more rhetorical since you indicate it had to be someone familiar with the area.
GREAT QUESTION about hunters. I don’t know the laws in that area but in Alberta, land owners have the right to give access to hunters. Theoretically speaking, if Mr. Bass allows hunting, would he remember who’s been given permission to access his property? Are any of Morgans male friends hunters? Their fathers/uncles/brothers….etc? OR, was Morgan a victim a random abduction (considering she may have hitch hiked). I’ve got a million thoughts going through my mind but just can’t articulate them properly. I feel like it’s someone associated with Morgan’s friends….someone she may have ran into outside JPJ and thought ‘what a coincidence’. Someone she may have been acquainted enough with to trust? Then again, I’m an outfielder.
Sorry if these are redundant questions. I keep telling myself to let the ‘pros’ on here do their thing. I teach my children to never be afraid of asking questions. Someone may be wondering the same thing.
Blink, I get the sense you know ‘the who’ but respect your reasons for remaining hush.
Sky–we need you. Come by when you can.
Kimberly 5:45 pm. Thank you for sharing. It is sometimes very hard, but it helps to know there are others, many, who are also concerned. I hope you’ll write more.
Liam–I want to express how sorry I was to hear about the bullying and suicide of the lass at South Hadley High. I hope your country can forgive us while seeing justice through.
Mouse and others–Red Hill Rd. seems to be the closest and easiest route (acknowledging it is farther than it appears on the map) and would be shielded from view of the house.
C’ ville Locals–how soft was the ground Oct. 17? Was that rain some of the first you ended up getting?
Would a person trained in rescue operations be able to traverse that area with only a flashlight and fireman’s carry?
I’ve only posted here once, but have followed and read almost every post to date. My heart is so sad for this bright, beautiful young woman who had so much to offer this world. I had visualized her reuniting with her loved ones so many times, but certainly not in this way. Being a Virginia native who resides on the East coast, my parents took us camping every summer to places that required us to drive through the Charlottesville area. It has been a sort of rite of passage when we each became drivers to “cross Afton Mountain.” My own daughter is 20 years of age and I recall the time she had gotten her learner’s permit and bugged me all the way to Charlottesville to please let her drive. We stopped at the usual place as I always did before crossing Afton Mountain, to catch my breath before the dreaded crossing. Many years before, when I was pregnant with my daughter, my parents and two of their grandchildren (whom they were raising), had wrecked on that very mountain when their new RV jack knifed. They were miraculously stopped by the guardrail from going “over the mountain” as my dad would later describe. So, that day that my daughter begged me to let her drive, I decided to face my fears without making her afraid or fearful of Afton. Once we were safely across, I congratulated her for her first crossing of Afton Mountain. In a way, I believe that the Harrington’s beautiful child Morgan, has also crossed a mountain to find her way home. My heartfelt condolences to them as I offer the following prayer by Sherrie
Bradley Neal (copyright 2004):
The Bridge of Faith
A still small voice is calling
Beyond the bridge of faith
Inviting all to enter
A holy, secret place
Sickness falls behind the stride
Of those who hear the call
To walk in light forever
Where no darkness comes at all
The bridge of faith gives entrance
To serenity’s abode
And rest to all who journey
By faith along life’s road
My mother would often tell us that everyone’s life has a purpose. This beautiful and intelligent and well loved young woman has touched the hearts and lives of more people than most could ever hope for in a lifetime. So yes, her life has purpose beyond life itself. I really believe that although this has been going on for the last three months, that what we are about to witness is just now beginning. May the blessings of God comfort and heal the hearts of those of us who are grieving.
My prayers are with the Harrington family during this awful time. I like how Blink said, “let us do the heavy lifting.” With our prayers let us lift up the Harrington’s during this time of sorrow, and with our minds and resources let us bring down the person or persons responsible for extinguishing such a bright light.
>>Comment by wpgmouse — January 26, 2010 @ 4:45 pm
“There is a zero percent chance this person is unfamiliar with that farm, imo.
B”
I agree with your opinion.<<
And who would have knowledge of this area ? People who live nearby (house fire w/ “four” people getting ready to move )
EMTs who need to be familiar w/ the area in case they need to respond ????
I totally understand Liam’s statement, and I stand w/ him.
Observer, I’m so glad you’re back — not for the information you can give to us — but because you belong here w/ us to make us whole.
We need to be whole. there’s work to be done.
Here’s a link (for those asking) of where the remains were found. It’s not ‘detailed’ but clearly very remote.
http://www.roanoke.com/news/breaking/wb/234362
Nancy and David Bass have owned this farm for more than 30 years. I spoke with Nancy earlier today and she says the pasture is empty in the winter, but where the body was found is a place they do farming. There is a subdivision that is close by to their land, and sometimes people trespass, hunt, and go biking on their property.
http://www.michellesigona.com/2010/01/remains-found-on-a-farm-in-virginia/
I live on a small 50 acre farm in SW PA raising Scottish Highland cattle. I am very alert of vehicles in and around my property always worried about someone letting out the horses or cows. The cows on the CNN appeared to beef cattle and not dairy. If they were dairy cows the farmer would surely need help with milking (twice a day) the number of cows you could keep with 700 acres. I don’t have locks on my gates, but I can see all of my gates from the house otherwise I would. My horses are kept in with electric fence and I certainly wouldn’t want to happen upon those in the middle of the night, so again if present the perp knew about them. I use either a 4×4 or ATV to get to the very back of my property. I sometimes walk but I would never carry something like a body that far.
Another thought I had is why didn’t hunters find the body during hunting season even if the farmer hadn’t been to that part of the property since August, which I find totally normal in the winter months. I personally do not allow hunting on my property, but my neighbors do and I sometimes need to politely ask hunters to leave, which always worries me since they are carrying guns.
Could it be possible that there was a party that night at the rental house?
If so, maybe Morgan did get a ride there and arrived alive.
Could she have been given or took something that confused her and she ended up wandering off to the location where her body was found?
If this is a plausbile scenario, I am sure someone who have to had noticed her missing.
I tend to believe someone is directly responsible for her tragic death, but I wondered if the scenario mentioned above is even possible.
I have a friend whose son-in-law works with Dr. Harrington at the hospital. Dr. H received a phone call at work earlier today and left there in a hurry. From the expression on his face when he left, N. said it was evident that the news was not good.
I’d just like to chime in and say I’m heartbroken for the family.
RIP Morgan, you did not deserve this.
#174 – Just to clarify, I’ve seen many people being hounded after posting similar things (mainly on other sites, but i know a lot of you go in between many missing peoples cases) so just to clear it up, it would be impossible for me to have something to do with this. MY I.P. (which Blink has access to) tells the story on that one.
How did I come to that conclusion? I have a background (and interest) in these sort of cases. To get to the point I have gotten to might be a little complex to explain, but it is a mixture of:
*Given the facts, the most likely scenario in my mind
*Background info on this case
*Facebook postings between friends
No theory is water tight. Mine certainly isn’t and could well be wrong. But I have a very strong feeling…..
My deepest sympathies for the Harrington family. What a horrible, horrible tragedy, not only for them, but for all of that invested so much time & energy trying to find Morgan. I just want to cry.
On another note, I had a dream last night Morgan was found.
Long ago I saw a broken hyoid (sp)bone. I hope LE’s examination of the body is thorough.
Regarding hunters:
Mr. Bass commented that “there is no real history of trespassing.”
http://tinyurl.com/ydy8r3c
Mr. Bass could have certainly allowed hunters on his land, but at the time of Morgan’s disappearance, what would they have been hunting?
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/HUNTING/regulations/
Yes, they could have been there and they could have been hunting out of season, and even illegally if firing too close the many roads there and the homes. I’ll also add that farmers don’t normally like people shooting around their cattle. And more: the lack of woods there really makes for some challenging deer or turkey hunting. Where do you hide?
Hunter or former employee could have been on the property previously with permission and thus knew the landscape. But I think that’s a less likely scenario, if the body was placed there that night. I mean, we read it is accessible only by tractor, not by truck I believe that.
rvrb, Maureen,
THANKS! Very helpful.
Property owners in VA can grant access to hunters to use their land. The ones I have known personally are very selective with this grant and definitely know the folks who are on the land with their permission. Of course, given the size of the property in question there is always the risk of trespassing hunters which even the most vigilant landowner can not prevent completely.
Confirmation it’s Morgan:
http://www.readthehook.com/blog/index.php/2010/01/26/tragic-tale-body-of-woman-found-at-farm/
So they never found her necklace, they only mentioned her bracelet. They should show this necklace NOW on the news. The mews media is all over this right now.
I also believed this is a local. What I don’t understand why didn’t he bury her somewhere instead. She would have never been found. For this person to probably drive on this property he was taking a great chance being spotted (with the headlights on).
Im glad she was found but its so sad.
My heart is broken for the Harringtons. May God wrap His loving arms around all of you. To Blink, Kate, Candace, and Umberto, thank you for the work on this case and so many others.
@ Ragdoll – 7:39pm
I know you said that you have many thoughts and can’t get your mind around them – but please, how could a friend of Morgan’s possibly be involved? maybe keeping it in the realm of reality might help a bit tonight. This area is semi-remote and not an area that a friend would dump a body. A friend would dump the body on the highway home. Come on now.
This has “LOCAL” stamped all over it.
My advice – be on the look out for anyone in the area that starts to act very un-natural. Possibly changing appearance. Maybe even asking a friend to help with some type of disposal of an item.
Rob-
You and I may disagree on this one. I think it is both. A “friend” or person known to her, and a local.
B
My apologies to #3 SuzeeB. I see you already posted that link.