Morgan Harrington Murder: Why Anchorage Farm?
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Charlottesville, VA– Morgan Harrington, 20 year old Virginia Tech Student found murdered on Anchorage Farm January 26 2010, was put there for a reason.
Image of Original Work By Nancy Bass
It was clear from Lt. Joe Rader’s press conference on February 4 that the location of Morgan’s remains is critical to the investigation, and to the identity of the individuals responsible.
Why Anchorage Farm?
David and Nancy Bass, owners of Anchorage Farm and the residential dwellings therein, own a boatload of land.
B O A T L O A D.
Mr. Bass, is also a longstanding member of the Albemarle County Zoning Appeals Board. In fact, he is the Chairman of the ACZAB since 2007, where he preceded this position at the Vice Chair since 2000.
Between 2005 and 2008, let’s agree there is a “run” on raw land in Albemarle County VA, in particular.
Like many families owning large tracts of land, there is always the dilemma of staying ahead of the zoning curve or preserving their land while paying taxes only on the residence.
Anchorage Farm, like almost 90% of surrounding vacant land, was registered in the Agricultural and Forrestal preservation program.
Location, Location, Location
The forced sale of Biscuit Run due to David Breeden’s original will was a disaster to its purchasers including Hometown crooner Dave Matthews.
A $46 Million dollar purchase from the Breeden family was recently bailed out by VDOT for under $10 Million.
There are lukewarm results to Blandemar Farms in its infancy.
The fresh sale of the first-of-its-kind development marrying land preservation and *ethereal* elite* estates* known as Bundoran Farms, Bass withdraws his 654 acre contribution to the Hardware District renewal.
Mr. and Mrs. Bass re-parceled and re-deeded their land in 2007. I have studied this tract closely; there is no doubt in my mind this land was being prepped for development with exactly the right easements for “right of way” purposes in place.
Nearly every other landowner was now in the 10 year plan with the possibility of not just one, but two significant luxury development projects on the horizon while their land is restricted from development of a “more intense use.”
Translation:
Holy Sh*t, my land could be “not subject to further subdivision” and worth half of what it is now in 10 years. Gulp.
Morgan’s remains were found in parcel 41a.
Which would coincide with the 4 and 1 parts of her families creed o; I choose to take comfort in that.
Keeping up with the Jonesbrights
As an example, let’s use the adjacent property tracts across Red Hill.
The Howell, Waybright, Napier and Hager Families own the largest preserved adjacent trac on Monacan, which from a plot perspective, you might argue is land-locked due to Mr. Bass ‘s re-zoning.
Now, before I get 300 posts asking if I am suggesting Morgan Harrington was murdered out of revenge of a land dispute; of course not.
I am simply saying it is possible that part of the motive of the persons responsible for Morgan’s death to place her on exactly the parcel she was, may have been a combination of comfort AND perceived payback.
I have personally worked with developers on a similar project and I have seen a man have his land value cut in half by not completing the planning process prior to new zoning amendments AFTER granting easements through it. Utter Nightmare.
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I need help – am I the only one lost in this message?
No message, just information regarding the land history.
B
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OMG Blink, I might have a platter of cheese. This history of the land breeds so many thoughts!
WOW! You go, Ms. BLINK!
Rest in Peace, Sweet Morgan.
Finally! (*I urge PM1 to do a cartwheel for me*)
B, I have spent an insane amount of time trying to connect the W’s and the H’s – and… wow. Here it is. They are apparently connected by land owned around the direct vicinity of AF.
Which seems to greatly enhance young Cheesy Thread’s ties to the Spot.
Yes’m.
I am a “visual” person. I literally took the tax maps and with colored pencils and coded them, cut them out, etc.
I immediately got that familiar throbbing headache behind my right eye I got when attending a zoning meeting that ended in grown men screaming at each other because some idiot neglected to mention that he did not secure the right of way at the entrance to a project.
I will be the first to admit I was floored as we continue to investigate this case, how much land/cash from same, is held and transferred to generations in this area. You have 3 and 4 residences on some tracs that house equally as many generations. I say that with respect and envy. The families in this area have done right by the land and taking care of their families with it. This area is positively breathtaking.
I found myself thinking, what if I was a kid that expected to eff off and squander my access to education to follow my free spirit and still live like a king. What if the ability to do that was threatened?
I truly believe when arrests are made that the issues I am raising are the undercurrent. I also feel very bad for the Bass family. I think if they were planning to develop that farm, it would have been similar to Bundoran with a great respect for open space and low density.
B
I am stunned. I’ve drawn a blank tile.
Maybe it’s a Blink-tile.
no – freaking – way….
so, if it was a crime of rage/ passion and totally unplanned (which i believe), the placement of her body after her death screams of cover- up by those not directly involved in her demise?????????
No. I think she was placed there by her murderers.
B
B: I’m thinking that this is way above a bad guy’s head. He just ain’t that smartt. The land history is facinating though. I had no idea when driving home from Cville to Hburg, that all this lays out here.
How many times did my daughter and I drive past this area since October? I’ll tell you…Lots! Shopping trips made back and forth to put on their first Christmas in Virginia. It breaks my heart. We passed by her and when I told you all my daughter would look out her car window and say,
“Do you think she out there momma?” Who would have know she was? But I gotta believe that she was never alone. He did not desert her. She was lifted up and wisked away before anymore damage could come to her.
B, also believe that I am just hangin’ on your every word, that they are close! Please say it is so.
Is the Breeden mentioned in your article related to the musician?
and, if this is the case, then the whole thing just gets sicker and sicker, and, the family/ property owner name i had researched was not included in your above post, except maybe by extension?
If your referring to what I think, I can’t connect it, all zoned residential.
B
When you use the word “trac” do you really mean “tract?”
This points out that there could be a number of people in play and a number of motives in play that all worked together to create this one horrid crime. Isolating a single perp with a simple, singular motive may have been trumped by location, location, location. Maybe trying to tie it all the facts, details and loose ends up in one large neat package is where the difficulty arises. Maybe we need a number of smaller boxes with shorter pieces of string to wrap up all the individual parts and secure the separate items needed to make one big prize. Divide and conquer.
i guess i could see the placement of her remains could rely on How Well those responsible know the lay of the land. i hope it is a matter of days.
The same waybrights with the 20 year old sex offender living under their roof?
Blink, thank you for your excellent research. So do you perhaps think someone with a grudge helped the killers to think of a location? Or perhaps it could have already been in the killers mind to place her there and this was just a bonus? Very thought provoking. Nice touch with choosing the painting Blink. So beautiful, poignant, yet quite melancholy, quite apropos.
Ty-
I am not sure I can answer you without pointing a finger
B
I think I need a translation. So Bass had his land preserved but changed his mind or is it the other way around? Why would his neighbors be upset by his decision? I mean, couldn’t they put in applications to do the same or is there an unspoken rule that you make these kinds of decisions as a community? Is the location of the parcel where Morgan’s remains were found critical to future developments? Sorry to be so dense.
I love Nancy’s painting shown above! Awesome.
Even if the body was disposed of at 2 a.m. in parcel 41, I’m not sure the perp would have know the Harrington’s 241 credo, which was only widely publicized AFTER morgan’s disappearance.
God bless anyone who doesn’t subdivide their land! (and may they continue to afford not to sell anything off)
They would not have known, I was drawing the parallel after the fact.
B
And (to clumsily paint with a rather broad brush, as I’m sure all of the zoning board members who read here are honest injuns), most zoning boards are so corrupt, they can easily be bought off. Bribery is easier than murder, that’s for sure.
Also…if you’re going to the trouble of murdering a girl and dumping her body there, why not then phone in an aonymous tip saying “that farmer over at Anchorage Farm is pretty sketchy; maybe you ought to check him out”?
Thank you and much appreciated.
B
Excellent research Blink! I may be wrong about this (it wouldn’t be the first time…or the last) but I have to say coincidence on this one. And, boy, is it ever a huge freakin’ coincidence!!!
So maybe Morgan wasn’t killed over land issues but it was the mentality of Bass screwed me over so I will pay him back?
I just don’t understand how this would relate to Morgan’s murder. It’s definitely some significant information on the land, etc. but do you really think it has anything to do with Morgan’s murder?
As I specifically stated in the piece, NO. After studying this area for weeks, I am convinced there is more tying the subjects to this land than just the level of comfort they felt on it.
Honestly, there are HUNDREDS of places they could have put Morgan, that imo, she very well would never have been found.
B
Hmm, very interesting thoughts on the WHY she was placed where she was!
… so we have one of the county’s MEGA landowners at the helm of one of its very important land-use boards (i.e., zoning appeals). I can see where some ticked-off property owners–or families of–might not be crazy about Mr. Bass, as well as he appeared to assimilate into the community.
Was LE asking for details related to that? How has this point not been made in the papers? Does Mr. Bass recall other, odd sorts of “eff you” activities on his property since 2007? Has he noticed changes in attitudes toward him since he’s been on the board?
Zoning changes = RE development = location location location
I think this goes back to someone not knowing what they know.. You know?
B
Blink, you’ve got a typo – s/b “Albemarle”
My hubby and I were very relieved when the development of Biscuit Run was bagged – we live within walking distance and it would have drastically changed the country feel of the area.
I tried to manage an impossible schedule by using a mobile bb application to post this. My high tech solution just went low tech, lol. Thanks, fixed it.
B
IMHO,it may mean that there was some secondary pleasure, if you will, held in placing Morgan’s body on a piece of land to desecrate the Bass property, since his maneuverings may have screwed other landowners. And then who might that have been? That is where the wealthy and the not so wealthy might come together. Just my thinking at this point.
yep.
B
So many people with the same last names, so many inadvertently, but knowingly involved… I wonder if the Breeden on the VSOL is related somehow? Just a reach for further research…
Blink, Thanks for the response. I guess I just don’t know all the players regarding the land, etc. etc. I’ve been following all the articles/blogs on your site, but must admit even more confused now. I’ll patiently wait for more info.
Fondly.
I don’t get it. Morgan was murdered. Ok that I get. So one theory might be, is that the murderer knew about some kind of land disagreement. And just so happened to place her body on the disputed land. Ok. Purpose for doing that? To make the land unsellable? or god forbide… more sellable? To make a statement? Very possible that someone in all of this land stuff, someone close to it all has a few screws loose. Why Morgan? crime of chance? very intresting.
Blink….Is it at all possible that Morgan might actually have gone to school with someone intertwined in the families involved in the land mess? Or perhaps is the Families in the land stuff known to Morgan’s family or related? Part of the land deal gone bad?
Its all a mystery that I hope the investgators are looking at very very carefully…..
My family has been in the land development business for generations , 265 years . Members have done the planning for the major East coast Canadian cities and towns . Also did the state line between New Jersey and New York , and work in New England . I have done subdivisions . When this type of process is related to murder usually is involves a direct player . It is an unbelievable streatch to convolute the murder of an innocent girl from another city into local land development . Sure some punk may have wanted to place her on land not owned by someone he is related to but the nuiances of subdivision approvals would have been far from this person’s mind when he was looking for a place to hide his victum . Putting guilt on Mr Bass or anyone and everyone must the object here . I do the farming thing also , interface with other farm owners and fisher types . I have often heard many say if they stumbled onto a situation as Mr Bass did ,fishermen would motor on and farmers would drop their tractor bucket and bury such a find . The community should be appreciative Mr Bass showed he was a human being . To imply guilt in the many fashions to scores of people on this site tells a lot about the individuals doing the smearing . One is making a case against Mr Bass while openly contemplating buying a painting from his wife .What a snake !! Notwithstanding that you obviously know more from your contacts about this case than most , why do you find it necessary to malign hundreds of innocent people . Cutsy descriptions and initials don’t conceal who is being snidely accused . The power tripping unethical end justifies the means approach didn’t work for USA foreign torture policy ,didn’t work for Nazi’s , nor will it work here . IMO
Mr. Speaker-
I say respectfully, how is it you seem to miss the tone of almost every post on here?
Is there some sort of alert you have for ***ding, ding ding*** time for me to spew, let me choose whether I wish a direct hit, or starboard right on some other sights you love to attack me and my work on-
The answer to your issue:
“It is an unbelievable streatch to convolute the murder of an innocent girl from another city into local land development .”
I respond, I did not not. Her murderers did when the placed a girl from another city, on land, that has been plotted and zoned for development amidst others that are adverse to it.
I have no idea how you keep missing my statements that I am saying that the Bass’s are victims as well in all of this. That is my position on the matter.
Lastly, I will resist the urge to modify your egregiously offensive comment on the Nazi comparison and ask my readers to gloss over it as well because I do feel it was by design. Then I will go call my Mother and tell her not to read her today.
I come from a military family which fought in WWII AND from a family with an ancestor that had to flee Europe and change her name to survive, you can keep such inflammatory and wreckless comments to yourself.
Good Day.
B
Interesting that Mr. Bass was the forensic anthropologist on the Merriweather Lewis death reinvestigation and exhumation.
http://www.lewisandclarkroadtrips.com/index.cfm
Different Bass, no relation.
B
Blink:
What about a surveyor or surveyor’s crew being in and out of that area in the last couple of years? Seems like a lot of activity for a “remote” spot, what with zoning and buildings, etc.?
KUTGW
Wow. I love a person who speaks Frankly, but come on: Frankness becomes a detriment when one does not first carefully read and consider before opening one’s mouth/moving one’s fingers. It is abundantly clear to me that no accusations have been made by Blink about the Bass family. Please re-read her story.
Instead, this family has her sympathy, and I daresay it was with painstaking strokes and forethought that she even typed their names in this report. It’s horrible–HORRIBLE–that they are involved in this crime. However, I also think it would be irresponsible, given Mr. Bass’ position in the County and recent changes to zoning of his own land, to *not* consider whether grudges might be held against him. The precise request of LE was for the public to consider WHY Anchorage Farm. Done.
Glossing over the rest, per request.
Strong point and thank you-
Remember Joe Rader’s first words about location? They had no reason to look there initially.
VSP set up a tip line specifically to address information about this farm. I can tell you they knew who lived there, how long, and where they are in about 3 hours after Morgan was discovered, what cars they drive, blah blah.
It is ridiculous to think that if the FBI reaches out 1/28/10, and the press conference is geared specifically to the interest of Anchorage Farm, that the issues associated with it are not worthy of review.
B
Blink — great article — incredible research — because you asked, I will not respond to Mr. Frank Speaker — but you know I want to; right ?
Do you want us all to start posting now on this thread, or continue with the other ?
Peace to you, my friend. Great work, indeed.
Just my opinion, but until we have arrests and information as to who and why place her on AF — everything is relevant. I reiterate: great work !
Love, Sky
Thanks friend, yes I know.
Let’s stay here for ease of load, and as always, if someone wants to bring over a post, please do.
B
Mr. Frank Speaker – GO AWAY!!
Is it me or are people missing the point? Morgan was not killed over a land dispute!!! Her killers may have direct or indirect knowledge of the dispute, and may have dumped her there as an afterthought. However this is not the motive.
I pray there is a break in the case soon!!!!
Correct, as I specifically address that in the piece, I am not getting how that is not clear to some.
That said, I have learned when people do not like the direction something is headed, they see what they want as it suits their agenda, whatever that may be.
There is a familiar pulse to this case right now, all in all I take that as a good sign.
B
yes. i’m sorry. wrong bass.
If someone believes that a family connection is involved (like I do!), then it was a series of unfortunate events. They used Morgan, to make a point. She could have been anyone. Any girl. Am I to believe that she was at the wrong place, at the wrong time?
But I believe that what got her outside was not related?
Sick minds to make her pay and then to use her as a pawn in their wicked land war?
Where was he that night? GPS or not! And, where was his brother, cousins, sister, aunt, whomever? His father, for that matter!
How does A family go from such meeger beginnings to owning land that could rake in millions? location, location, location?
And, how many people in that family can use a Red Hill Road address?
And, did they suffer a death of their own and feel well, for my lack of a better explaination..payback on many different levels?
He attacks Morgan, They cover it up, They put the screws to the Bass Family and place her on his land. (eloise’s point)
Sure seemed to enjoy Bass hospitality on YouTube.
B: Could it just be time that information is released. We know more about others that have gone missing. We all have seen a video of little girl carried to ther death. Teenage girl walking home from a sleepover and grabbed by the arm and led to her demise.
How is it that we are walking on eggshells for what? Money? I hope not. I hope that is really is because of the outcome of a successful prosecution. And, this time they go away for a very long time.
#15- Suz: What does “The Harrington’s 241 credo mean?
Thanks
B-
I want to thank your for all of your hard work! I have come to this site after not being able to tolerate the bickering that goes on in other forums. You and your key players here are truly amazing. Every victim that you guys devote your time to is blessed. It is so upsetting when cases like this lose the “spotlight” in the national media. Everyone here keeps that torch burning bright and that is so touching, I have a hard time putting it into words.
I think knowing the history of the land and the key players in C’ville will shed some light on this case. I don’t know how to connect the dots yet, but I’m sure plenty of posters here are working on it.
I will try to keep up and add my opinions when I can. I just wanted to express my admiration for you and your longtime posters. Great work and research!!!
Does anyone know where the young buck in the cheese jumpsuit was on the night of Oct 17, 2009?
Franky Boy –
The only thing “not working here” is your critical-reading skills. To wit, I quote B, who wrote in the course of her concise piece:
“… Now, before I get 300 posts asking if I am suggesting Morgan Harrington was murdered out of revenge of a land dispute; of course not.
“I am simply saying it is possible that part of the motive of the persons responsible for Morgan’s death to place her on exactly the parcel she was, may have been a combination of comfort AND perceived payback.”
As I’ve stated before, I’m in favor of having a variety of voices and opinions here – and your land-use and farming backgrounds make you a potentially significant contributor.
But when you barely read or contemplate anything being written on these threads, and merely scan for the buzz-words that you believe confirm what nasty, finger-pointing little morons we all are in your estimation, you are wasting our damn time – as well as valuable posting real estate that could be much better used for the exchange of ideas, to make points or to question assertions.
Please put on your bi-focals, or just move on.
You know, kids go through open fields all the time and become familiar with them. I know we never much regarded “No Trespassing” signs when I was a kid- they were for the adult poachers! Familiarity breeds contempt. Informative and interesting post, Blink- I understood you perfectly. Of course not Bass, but someone from the near area? Oh, yah.
I doubt they had tickets to Metallica. I doubt they were there to see LOG. I’ll bet they were just roaming the parking lot. Too bad there were no security cameras. Do any of them own an RV and they parked in the RV parking lot? I’m sorry I don’t write out my thoughts very well and I many times jump the gun and post the wrong thing. Thank you Blink for the corrections. I just want to see J4M and I don’t know what I can do to help. Searching around and around in circles. Maybe LE is close now and these bad guys will be taken off the streets of Charlottesville for good. I thank everyone here for all their hard work. Amazing!
Great work Blink! Too bad there are people in this world who choose to see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear and read what they want to read. I completely got your sympathy for the Bass family- as well as others involved (involuntarily).
I only wish I had your ability to put words as lovely and cleverly as you do in all of your work. You are a lovely person and I thank you for sharing your God given talent with all of us- I have learned so much from so many of these tragic cases you cover. God Speed Blink!
Ty Kindly.
B
fish says:
March 3, 2010 at 11:56 am
MinniePenney: So happy that you are virus free and up and running! I’m having my own glitches also. But hubby is giving me his laptop back. I always have multiple pages open so I tend to jam up my own puter! I need a backup. I research between sites. I personally think I need an upgrade. Maybe you can send your Geek over to see my Geek!
osu: a hug to you. get it off your chest. it is good for your soul.
keekee: there are those types of families that have a great deal of dysfunction in them. Not all bad but not all good. I have had past experience where they tend to circle the wagons to protect their own. If you can get the weakness link away and offer them peace of mind, then just maybe it happens. It does happen. But the more trouble with the law, they and I mean the cousins, aunts, etc…, then it will be very difficult. But make no mistake, it will happen again. They or maybe it will just be him, can’t help himself. A stalker, violent person in the family and Mom and Dad will not be able to provide the kind of help he needs.
Just my opinion!
BTW. Solid connection and solid work. Period.
Blink, no leeway needed. He is what he is. Period.
Justice for Morgan. Period.
Fish my friend, I think you meant to post this on the new piece
B
So here I am. Trying to swim as fast as I can. I have more…
can anyone answer…
I believe it was fact that Bass bought AF 30 years ago…while from what i have read here, a majority of the land around Bass’ has been in family for generations. How did Bass come to Albemarle County and AF, both physically and monetarily. If he is “new money”, and his land was not passed down from generations as most of the other seems to be(old money), could there be some added resentment that he is “where he is”. AND he is the chair of the zoning comittee making decisions on parcels of land that in “old moneys” mind, he shouldnt be??
ALSO, did he purchase this land from someone whose beneficiaries didnt want it sold in the first place…?
One more thought- I wonder if those who criticize you ever think of the burdens you carry for these victims and their families. Do they know the tragedy you have seen and carry with you day after day? Do they realize you are human? Why is it that some expect everyone to be perfect? Are they? At the end of the day- we have to be able to say we did our best and we can live with it.
Here is a great link that reaffirms Blink’s research with some added facts concerning Biscuit Run. There sure is a lot of players involved and every stakeholder could lose…
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/parks_recreation/
B says: “That said, I have learned when people do not like the direction something is headed, they see what they want as it suits their agenda, whatever that may be.”
They do believe that that their means justified Morgan’s end.
“Well, what do we do with her now?”
“I know let’s stick it to that motha-effer Bass!”
Nobody said or believes she wasn’t killed because of a land dispute. They were just on a really sick, fast, high roll and needed to get back to their own shit! She was no longer in their thoughts. Not that night. What was done was done. It was a personal finger to the Basses everyday thereafter.
**They never wanted her found!
And, Frank, I take my apology back. Remember a long time ago? Just be resectful and I said I would listen. But you really go to far. B, do not feel the need to justify a thing to him. He has his panties back in a bunch today.