Morgan Harrington Murder Update: DNA Links WANTED SUSPECT
Corrine Geller, PR Manager, Virginia State Police Released This Statement:
special thanks to argano_m for the image work to remove the beard
special thanks to Klaasend for the age progression image
Related Posts
Related Posts:
931 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
“I have seen an account 25-35, 5 years ago, so in that estimation, he is 30-45 B”
Now fast forward to today. He is 30ish to 45ish. Where has he been for five years?? I’m wondering what he does for cash? To survive, does he jump job to job, temporary help, collect a gov check; possibly military disabled? Since we do not know if his DNA has hit in any other case, let’s go with he was active for 4 years and is experienced in LE/forensics or thinks he is.
Where does he live and with whom?
Got to be somebody.
Observer, have I put all my eggs in one basket?!
Concerning Sketch, that is:
Abducts because he knows Cville well,
Rapes because that’s his MO,
Murders because he has escalated,
Disposes on AF because HE worked there.
What then does this guy do with her boots, necklace, camera?
Waiting to place those too?
Am I stupid to believe that Anchorage Farm will be his downfall?
Somebody will remember and place him there.
Now, onto J2Knock-Out:
For you, I’m gonna drive that tomorrow. Copely down and back. I’ll time how quick I can turn around at any one of the banks and come back over Copeley, putting me on the sidewalk side and then turning back around in the RV lot. My point,
There were two of them! One to drive and one to grab.
Maybe Morgan gets away in the RV lot. Heads over toward bridge area. They dump purse and head out to get her. They still got to bang a louie, in the banks at corner.
Blink, have I lost my mind? Did we ever know which way she was seen walking on the bridge? Did Voth, BBplayers, LimoGuy ever say?
Or maybe J, these guys picks her up at 7-11 and follows her back to JPJA. She walks down to 7-11 to use phone? They see her there? Were the video tapes ever taken from that 7-11? How about any bank transactions that day? ATM’s? Gas? Maybe they/he had and used a card?He grabs her on the bridge, with help, J2K. They see her! They.
Ahoy.
$150,000 seems like a lot of money to someone who’s grabbing a girl, in an apartment complex, and fleeing on foot.
Why then, would he be willing to plant a t-shirt?
Somebody payin’ him more?
I agree with others that this sketch may not be spot on- but as in other sketches in other criminal cases, there should be a distinguishable likeness or characteristic within the sketch.
Such as in Ted Bundy’s case- it was the eyebrows and the thin lips
In the unabomber’s sketch it was the jaw line…
Perhaps in this sketch, it is the eyes or the big ears- Victims give a remembrance of their attacker- In times of high stress and fear what would you remember or focus upon? I think the point to remember it is a likeness of the attacker-not a photograph. FWIW there have been times where the sketch is so close it could be a photograph, so who knows how close this sketch is….
Having said that- The Good news is that many tips have come in since the release of this sketch-
Keep them coming America!
http://www.nbc12.com/Global/story.asp?S=12750673
*Correction, bottom left of your screen shot…
CW-
I have a concern about showing video of folks who are too far away to ID, I think it runs the risk of implicating innocent people- That said, you get something close up, I will look at everything. You are in the right church.
B
Blink…if you want you may post this flyer for people to print out and hang up.
Thanks
Unfortunately, I cannot post that link, as the flyer is inaccurate. The creator no doubt meant well, but it does not reflect the VSP statement. He is NOT wanted in connection with Morgan’s murder, and I have a concern about recourse from anyone that even looks like this guy as a result.
The sketch, and it’s statement should be released by LE only; I was told this specifically by VSP.
Again, I applaud efforts to support Morgan’s case, but we cannot pick and choose whose rights we violate in our collective quest for justice.
B
theres got to be more to the story/connections(bb-af-hh- scattered belongings ,two perps?ect.ect.ect.) than just this guy alone.all the scattered elements,(t-shirt,isolated af location,fairfax opposite direction,ect ect ect- dont add up to a simple random abduction /assault.something has to tie everything together.
Re: the teenage girl that was murder in CA and found in the mountains. The family had hired a company with a certain kind of search dogs that followed her scent from the HS in a car, around the neighborhood, onto the freeway and up to almost the spot where she was found. They traced a scent that followed her when she was alive.I think the family ran out of money for dogs that search for the deceased.
Couldn’t the scent be traced in a car like done in this case?
Jamal Azeez has been mentioned on Morgan’s facebook page as being charged with window peeping and has a very similar description.
http://www.mychurch.org/user/friendsandchurchonly.php?P=151025, does anyone else see the resemblences
I have the terrible feeling that we may need this local to make another mistake and supply LE with a 2nd sample to compare.
Due to this development, and others, as much as it pains me I just don’t see an immediate arrest on the horizon.
i was a day late with this info and commented before reading comments ,i ve caught up and the issue by whoever thinks suggesting a drug dealer is racist ,come now ,drugs have always been suggested as a connection ,(athlethes do drugs,hugely did drugs,collegestudents,concert goers,and wealthy party farms,are all buyers.i made the comment before acertaing what race the sketch is,a drug connection has oft been talked about. and JoeAmerica you remind me of the woody allen movie where he berates his young blonde date,as they leave a party, for embarrassing him for talking about astrology,(husbands and wives?) the context at the time was pagan ,art,deity, mythology,and came from jb /af ,and gil and morgans taste as well,the oddball is your mentioning it in this new lead context,get over yourself. on a another note ,in our music links, did we look at rappers?
Hi Blink
for some reason my last comment did not post. Does the tip you recently share with police have to do with anyone you have discussed thus far? Is it possible that someone put ecstacy or a drug like it in her beverage prior to the show?
Sorry Starsky, I do not see it. No, I have not discussed publicly, nor will I for obvious reasons.
B
I hope this new development has given people a fresh realization of just how difficult this case is for LE. Apparently somewhere, either on Morgan’s body or the t-shirt or other articles of clothing or jewelry, some forensic evidence was found, most likely DNA. They now have a match to evidence in another case, but that case has never been solved. If the forensic match is through DNA, then this person apparently has no record, at least in Virginia, that has caused his DNA to be in the state database. I have to admit, I do watch some of the crime shows. They give the impression there is some magic nationwide database that can be accessed to give an almost instant DNA match. I don’t know whether or not that is true. LE still believe the person had some knowledge of Anchorage Farm. Realize, this property is in much the same condition as it was when Mr. Bass purchased it and for years and years prior. It has never been developed, so the lay on the land has remained basically unchanged. Probably new fences here and there, but the same terrain. If “Sketch” as some are referring to him is the perpetrator, his age would allow for any knowledge he has of the property to be 15, maybe even 20 years ago when he was a teenager or young man. How many people, known and unknown, have had access to that piece of property during those years? He could have worked there as an employ of a company providing services to the farm. A person who remained completely unknown and unseen by people living on the farm. The company could now be out of existence with no way to track or identify former employees. He could have been a kid who wandered the property as kids will do, with no thought of property lines or making himself known to the people who lived on the property. He could be a former University student, but then maybe not. Just think, if a student, how many men fitting his description have been educated there over the last 5-10-15 years? Maybe he has no connection to the University, the area where Morgan disappeared is open to the public. He didn’t have to be attending the concert that night to be in the vicinity of the arena. Even if he ever lived in the area, he could now live in Northern Virginia, he could live in Richmond, he could live in the valley, he could live in Maryland, he could live in North Carolina. Millions of people fitting his description within a day’s driving distance. If he left the area after Morgan’s death to return home, nothing stopped him from returning to the area with her shirt. Even if he is a local, with no record, and perhaps not looking anything like he did 5 years ago, he could walk right by Chief Longo on the downtown mall and not attract any notice. I hope this is the break LE needs, but to my mind, it has greatly increased the number of people and area to be covered. Not just Charlottesville and Albemarle County, but now the entire state of Virginia, and perhaps beyond. I know patience is hard when a killer is on the loose, and there is always the danger he will strike again, but this is not a case that will be solved easily.
acho says:
July 2, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Ode (3:31 pm), when you said “The BB player that left UVA this spring was from Fairfax,” did you mean TS? Born in Fairfax but from Woodbridge, according to UVa, but close enough.
Just want to be sure. Thanks.
acho…That is the one I was referring to. This was only an observation, not an accusation.
I wanted to say yesterday that I too think Morgan would have been colorblind in regards to people. My daughter who is white dated a boy who is black for sometime. I have to say I was very proud of her for being colorblind. I can not say that for everyone in my family. Color is not an issue and that is not the reason for the surprise of the picture. I think the age was more of a surprise. We do not know what DNA link there is and we do not know how many different peoples DNA ‘s were found. I am still with Blink that more than one perp is involved. The Harrington’s think there is more than one perp. Is it possible they think more than one perp because there was more than one foreign DNA sample found? I keep coming back to the Disposal business of one current RSO wanted. Is that not what was done to Morgan…disposed of on AF?
I wonder if Law Enforcement can use this as a new means of catching wanted offenders. It could help a great deal in catching criminals.
From http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/social.media/07/02/facebook.recognition/index.html?hpt=T2
Facebook has begun testing face detection technology for Facebook Photos.
This is the first of what seems like a series of new features for its popular photo product.
The tests, which some users will see starting today [Friday], focus on decreasing the tediousness of “tagging” friends in Facebook photos. In the current Photos feature, users upload photos, click on each face in a photo, tag that photo with the friend pictured therein and continue the process until the album is tagged.
RE:
Jamal Azeez has been mentioned on Morgan’s facebook page as being charged with window peeping and has a very similar description.
http://www.mychurch.org/user/friendsandchurchonly.php?P=151025, does anyone else see the resemblences
*****
I have seen this pic before. We looked and talked about this person. Does anybody remember why? HMMM>>>…..
OK, spoke too soon. This is the guy I mentioned the other day and was frustrated with finding in the Breeze articles.
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:3Yjy5SAa1LQJ:breezejmu.org/2009/10/29/%E2%80%98peeping%E2%80%99-incident-yields-arrest-but-not-timely-notice/+Jamal+Azeez&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
I don’t understand why it takes DNA so long to process..? With Laci Peterson, they were able to verify her remains within a week or so as I remember. Why would DNA take nine months to process?
14.Eloise says:
July 3, 2010 at 9:31 am
RE: Search for his myspace. When you do, go into his blogs. You’ll see a still image that links to youtube, however the youtube link reads “removed by user”. What’s interesting is the still image of the beginning of the youtube video still exists on his blog page. It appears the video was shot with a digital camera and would appear that the woman is in her night clothes in her bedroom.
*This same individual was talked about before because there were incidents at JMU….
“While junior {blank} and her boyfriend were sitting in a parked car across the street from her Mason Street house at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, she noticed a dark figure come from around the back, walk up to the porch, peer through windows and try to open the door. This incident makes for a cluster of similar peeping and trespassing incidents targeting students on and off campus this semester.” “-said Jamal Abdul Azeez, 34, of Harrisonburg, was taken into custody a short distance away from the place of the incident and was arrested on charges of “peeping into an occupied dwelling.” “After being approached by Christopher’s boyfriend, (blank), 22, the man said his name was Tony and that he was looking for a party in Oakridge Apartments, which does not exist in Harrisonburg.” “This incident follows the Oct. 17 peeping incident in Hillside Hall. An unidentified black male described as wearing all black and having a “distinct verbal dialect” entered the residence hall and opened two shower curtains while two female residents were showering in a hall bathroom. JMU sent a “Timely Notice” e-mail the next morning describing the incident and telling students how to protect themselves in their residences.”
http://breezejmu.org/2009/10/29/%E2%80%98peeping%E2%80%99-incident-yields-arrest-but-not-timely-notice/
Did you notice the October 17th incident??? I wonder what the report time was of the JMU incident October 17th. Had this guy indeed been in Charlottesville and at JMU the same night???
14.Eloise says:
July 3, 2010 at 9:31 am
RE: -And I wonder if the Bass family had ever donated anything to the Salvation Army and he had ever been there to pick up a load (even years ago)?
The new lead is being shown on MSNBC – so I bet it’s on CNN and FOX also !!!! Yippee !!!!! I’m from Fairfax County – and it’s time to bag this badass – I won’t call him an SOB – because that’s an insult to our canine best friends. I just started humming one of my favorite Johnny Cash songs, Folsom Prison Blues….” I hear that train a commin….” and I’ll through in my first heart throb, Clint Eastwood “Pale Rider” Revelation 6.8 “And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell follwed with him.” (OK, I went to school in the Fifties – we saluted the flag, said the Lord’s Prayer and each day one of us was chosen for a Bible verse. Well, I was horse crazy and I always picked Rev.6.8 cause it had horses and dragons (another fave) in it. Nobody ever complained….
the t shirt plant does not fit the MO of this black dude IMO
Agreed, if your referring to peeping J
B
Starsky says:
July 3, 2010 at 10:21 am
RE: Here’s a link you may find interesting..
http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml
Blink is this the same guy?
http://wv.findacase.com/research/wfrmDocViewer.aspx/xq/fac.%5CFDCT%5CSWV%5C2010%5C20100401_0000270.SWV.htm/qx
crimewriter says:
July 3, 2010 at 12:26 am
RE: Blink, no problem and I understand completely.
To CM;
Got it. What in particular are you noting bottom left? Lamp? Or the possible collection of toilet paper rolls? lol!
24.Eloise says:
July 3, 2010 at 11:47 am
RE: If you’re referring to my “crimewriter says: July 3, 2010 at 12:26 am” post, that is unrelated to the post to you in regards to myspace. That was in reference to video footage of something else I came across.
Caution: A quintessential (read: long!) Observer post to follow.
TO: J2K: First and foremost, I’m so relieved to know that you, your BF, and your fur-buddies were ok and survived the fire! Smoke detectors save lives…
Second, you asked about the FCPD Cold Case Sex Crimes Unit using DNA to establish cold hits. I do not know the answer to your question but could easily surmise that you’re correct: this unit could well have played a role in making the connection to Morgan’s case, working closely and in conjunction with the VSP and the ACPD.
WRT the ACPD: They do not have a separate and distinct Cold Case Sex Crimes Unit within the department. The ACPD is far and away smaller in terms of staff, resources (financial and otherwise), sworn personnel, etc. than the FCPD. [I coincidentally grew up in Fairfax and know the area well.] I think it is safe to say, however, that the VSP, et. al. are indeed able (not to mention, ready and willing) to tap numerous resources even if not directly available to them. Trust me when I say that LE will stop at nothing to bring this case to successful resolution, and will use any means at their disposal to effect same.
For another, different take on the backlog of DNA test results, see:
http://tiny.cc/3pemz.
TO: Cat: You (very aptly) stated “…there may be more to the story, a piece that may contradict the above somewhat. A piece that LE knows, but has not shared.”
It would not surprise me is that were true, Cat. As a matter-of-fact, I would be highly surprised if it were not.
TO: Mary: WRT Mr. Bass not being familiar with “Sketch”. [I too love that moniker.] I am unsurprised that Mr. Bass is not familiar with him. As pointed-out by another poster (either here or on FM; they are blending together now in my addled brain), Mr. Bass has owned AF for some time; however, the property is vast and it would be virtually impossible to know all of the individuals–that is, contractors, vendors, sub-contractors, etc.–who had been on the property both during the extensive period that Mr. Bass has owned it, and during the years prior to his ownership.
For example: let us say that I am having my back patio enclosed. I contract with a project manager/contractor to oversee the project. He in turn sub-contracts out certain parts of the project, e.g., the concrete will be poured by Manny from ABC Concrete Company, the roofing will be placed by Joe from XYZ Roofers, Inc., the windows will be installed by Mike, a representative from Pella, etc.
While I may be home sporadically as the project is underway, I know only my main contactor–the project manager. I may or may not even see the various and sundry sub-contractors who are working on the project. Now bear in mind that this project would be attached to my very home; meaning, it would not be happening at a remote part of my property. Still, I might never know or see all of the individuals working on this project, even though they would be working on this project for an extended time and would therefore routinely be on my property–not to mention, be immediately adjacent to my home.
The same is true of Mr. Bass. “Sketch” may well have been on AF on several occasions (or certainly at least in/near/on the areas immediately adjacent, e.g., Blandemar Farm Estates)–and I absolutely believe that he was; however, Mr. Bass may never have even laid eyes on this individual.
WRT “Sketch” appearing suave, debonair, in control, charming and dis-arming: my sense (and this is my sense only) is that he is not. I offer this because in the Fairfax case–to which he has been definitively tied–his M.O. was “snatch-and-grab”. In that instance, he did not attempt to verbally disarm his target; instead, he grabbed her quickly and stealthily from behind. He did not first engage her in casual conversation, attempting to gain her trust as he approached her, etc. His M.O. was quite different than that of, say, Ted Bundy, who used his physical appearance, charm, intelligence, and wit to emotionally disarm his targets before physically disarming them/overcoming them.
WRT “Sketch’s” escalation from (potentially) a peeper to a violent sexual predator to a (potentially) a murderer: There was an interesting article that came out in the Washington Post back in March. In the article a subject matter expert who was discussing the East Coast serial rapist stated that “…”I can assure you he’s been looking into many windows…He probably has a methodical way of sizing up women, sizing up areas, sizing up apartment complexes…He’s moving around the area and looking for victims and getting a sense of the people. He’s familiar with who locks their doors and windows.” [Note: I am not--repeat, not--indicating that I believe that “Sketch”, Morgan’s murderer, and the East Coast serial rapist are all three one-in-the-same. For reasons, I do not.]
The sentiments of that author were identical to my own; that is, “Sketch” did indeed start out at some point as a “peeper”. [This is precisely why LE takes very seriously “peepers”, as they understand well the escalation factor in these individuals.]
You asked “In your opinion could this guy’s MO in 2005 been refined to more of a Ted Bundy level by 2009? Let’s say 2005 was his very first assault. How fast do rapists escalate to serial killers? Again, agreeing with you that not all peeping toms->rapists become serial killers, in the ones that do, how fast?
My belief is this: “Sketch’s” M.O. did not refine from what it was in 2005 (snatch-and-grab) to a charming, Ted Bundy-ish M.O. 2009. Even if 2005 was his first assault, serial BGs generally do not change their M.O. [It is referred to as an “M.O.”--“modus operandi“--because it is just that: the mode or means by which they typically and personally perpetrate their particular crimes.] They certainly can change–and so do, if for no other reason than to avoid detection if they believe that they are leaving too many clues or that LE may be close to apprehending them; however, my sense again is that this individual did not substantively change his M.O.
The final part of your question, mary, is a good one–but one that I would be ill-advised to attempt to answer–that is, how fast do rapists escalate to serial killers. My sense is that the answer depends upon many factors, most specific to that individual, e.g., how many assaults they have committed, how many times have they come close to getting caught (or not), what are the specific personal and deep-seated psychological demons and wounds that first led them on their destructive path, etc. et. al.
Mary, I am complete agreement with you on your point that Morgan was transported by “Sketch” and/or his accomplice (if there was one) by vehicle. I remain firm in my belief that Morgan entered a vehicle, either willfully or by force, on/near the Copeley Rd. bridge. She was transported from there, either directly or indirectly, to AF.
TO: fish: I personally believe that you’re putting your eggs in the right basket. WRT the boots, necklace and camera: I do not for a moment believe the BG is waiting to place or plant these anywhere. The boots and camera I believe were long ago disposed of by him. [It is enormously easy to toss seemingly commonplace evidence into a public dumpster miles--or, states--away from a crime scene.] The necklace? It could long ago have been given away by this individual; it would be too pretty and shiny to summarily discard.
However…and this is the big “however”…if Morgan’s BG is a seasoned serial murderer (or, even if Morgan was his first murder)…he may well have kept her necklace as a trophy, as serial murderers are often compelled to retain an object belonging to their victims, esp. jewelry. This allows the BG to later fantasize about and re-live his actions, and serves to underscore his (temporary) self-perception as powerful…especially powerful over women–the target of his unbridled fury and rage.
[The irony is that these individuals rarely feel powerful outside of their criminal behavior. Instead, they have long-standing feelings of gross inadequacy and powerlessness, coupled with uncontrollable anger at women. They only time they do feel powerful and in control is during the acts of their aggression.]
Okay, in recalling Blink’s instructions, it can’t be b/c he should be in some system, right? Hmm, not good to have that name. I stink at this.
could someone have tainted the t shirt with DNA?
Thank you so much Observer on your wonderful post above. I do agree that for Mr. Bass not to recognize Sketchy is not unusual, but in all those contractors, subcontractors, carpenters, stable boys, supply houses, feed stores, farm managers, etc in and around North Garden, surely someone could make the connection: “Oh yeah, he told us he used to live in Fairfax.” “And he was a real history buff, used to go to that cemetery on AF all the time”. Of course it sounds like good news that over 50 tips have already come in, and maybe I’m just being impatient. Yeah, that’s it. LOL. The point I am agonizingly trying to come to is that if this guy (and his knowledge of AF) is not well known to someone in the AF area, then IMO there HAS to be an accomplice/accessory. The t-shirt points in that direction in my opinion. It does not seem to fit in with the snatch and grab MO IMO. LOL.
Blink says:
“Agreed, if your referring to peeping J
B”
A little bit about him that I haven’t read yet…
According to Rockingham County Circuit Court online, he was convicted of (18.2-130 Va Code) peeping charges which are misdemeanors. However when there are 3 separate peeping charges this shifts to class 6 felony. (18.2-67.5:1 Va. Code) Felony conviction in VA means means that his blood has been collected for DNA sample.
Sentencing date was 5/27/10 for the new peeping charge so his DNA should be in the registry.
First charge was from 7/27/09, later charges were from 10/24/09.
There may well be other similar charges in other counties. I haven’t checked.
Link to circuit court search – Choose a county, search by name:
http://wasdmz2.courts.state.va.us/CJISWeb
J2K! Glad that you, bf and mr. or ms. kitty are all ok. Pretty scary. Good to see you back!
I was reading further about the guy JAA from above. Dont know whether this is 2 different people with same name, but a few points I find interesting.
* He claims he is not ‘black’, but ‘Indian’.
* Assault story he is accused of committing I have heard before. Lab tech/handicapped girl in hospital setting.( mental health)
* Likes to file motions re: unfair treatment-racial, inability to obtain govt resources-unjustly accused. Repeated motions to have case expunged-denied.
Someone tell me if this is 2 different people.
http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/docs/spring95/22221.htm
OMG!
snip~
The last claim of ineffective assistance of counsel involves the Appellant’s trial counsel’s failure to call Dr. Slack, who the Appellant maintains was known to have exculpatory evidence. Dr. Slack testified at the habeas corpus proceeding that although he had no independent recollection of the examination he performed on the victim the morning after the alleged sexual assault, his notes of that examination indicated that he found “[n]o sign[s] [of] trauma, bruise[s] or laceration. Pelvic/rectal examination done and not remarkable.” However, the doctor also testified that the absence of objective findings regarding sexual assault was not indicative of whether the victim had been sexually assaulted by legal definition. Also, “[his] . . . examination wouldn’t permit . . . [him] to make th[e] decision[]” of whether the victim had been sexually penetrated by a man, and whether ejaculation had occurred. Additionally, Dr. Slack testified that he did indicate in his notes that he found the presence of “[m]ucous-like secretion present in the vagina. Dry, caked secretions present right side of vaginal outlet.” However, Dr. Slack indicated that “without performing or having lab results,” there was “[n]o way of knowing[]” whether the mucous was from the victim or a secretion from a male and that it was “possible” that it could have been seminal fluid.
TO: mary, re: the t-shirt – I understand completely your perspective; however (and I am going out on the proverbial skinny limb again here…) I do not believe nor have I believed that the shirt was planted.
I believe it was Morgan’s, and I believe that the DNA evidence referenced in the last few days was recovered from the shirt, rather than Morgan’s remains or evidence found adjacent to her remains at AF. [While the latter could certainly be true, my sense is that it is not.]
I do not, however, believe that the shirt came to rest where it was later found because Morgan’s murderer–or an accomplice–placed it there intentionally to taunt LE.
what would be the reason to “plant” the t shirt anyway? hum? we thought it was to divert attention from AF. I don’t think so anymore. There is only one reason to plant the t shirt with some perps DNA. Wonder if they found matching DNA on her body?
Makes me want to SCREAM!!!!!
I know I only seem to surface when I have something negative to say about the way this case has been handled…..but….am I the only one who finds it outrageous that it has taken LE 6 mos for DNA to be processed?? I have followed this case from the beginning here on BOC, and find the amount of information generated from this group to be outstanding, at times it seemed as if you were the ones keeping this case in the public eye, certainly not the VSP.
If this composite is that of Morgans killer, WOW!!! Think of all the investigative hours spent in an entirely different direction, that being the Anchorage Farm connection, which LE felt was THE link, as stated in their ONLY press conference after Morgan was found there.
The way this case has been handled has been so very unfair to the Harrington’s’ and their community. Consider this: A suspected rapist, turned murderer has been roaming the streets for 6mos with no warning to the public. In addition , this same person may now have taken another young women’s life, and who knows how many more.
Well we finally have a composite –bet you didn’t see this one coming!! It was probably never anyone of “the locals”, just a rent-a-cop who is still traveling state to state looking for his next victim. Why did they miss this —could it have anything to do with the lack of security tapes from that night??
I do not know how Dr. and Mrs. Harrington find the strength to deal with the tragic loss of their daughter,and the incredibly slow progress in the apprehension of her killer.
J2K, Observer, mary!
Just back and I realize that it would be very difficult for a single person to “Grab” her off that bridge, not saying that it can’t be done but I’m thinkin’ two.
If witnesses, whomever they are, state without a doubt, she was hitchhiking, so be it.
Let me digress here, I never said I or for that matter, we had her up on a pedestal. Her missing and murder just hit close to home.
Literally and figuratively.
Addressing JoeAmerica here.
Joe, I have had some life experiences, I would rather not be able to draw upon. Morgan is ground in a box and into concrete in Africa. I have had parents sit at a gravesite; day after day after day after day after day, get it?
I’ve learned to deal with it. I also have a box that I am waiting for someone to decide what to do with. (Blink, just please tell him I know of which I speak!) I have posted, can’t find it, maybe someone can but really who cares…that…
“I never needed her to be a Saint,
I just needed her to be here!”
With this said, I do not feel the need to go into Morgan’s choices, other than making them ‘teachable moments’ to our young, so not to repeat and for LE to find out her ‘last moments’ on this earth and what HE/THEY did to her. Remember, she may have done nothing!
But Joe, here it is, in a nutshell…
Sometimes, people feel better thinking the best.
The best about the dead.
It is how normal, everyday folks with and without trauma in their lives DEAL. To be able to put our socks on, feed the baby, do the dishes, stay gainfully employed, love our husbands, carry on with life for the living!
Yes, she was a girl with guidance and mistakes, direction and a learning curve, a loving family, and yes, some shitty friends. Get over it Amy and Sarah! What could you have done differently? Have you stopped and thought about it? Soul-searched? You were and are shitty. I mention those two well, frankly, because a temper tantrum, Halloween, and a noise violation did me in.
Morgan made mistakes that probably cost her, her life. I’m not going to be blaming her 100% because you know why????
She’s the dead one!
Joining two of my own. Shall I blame them too?
Shall we blame Vanessa, Cassandra, Ginni??? Morgan had friends that could have helped. Even if she had said “No, take my car and leave me with no money, no way home, and I’ll just walk around in the dark, cold, rainy night…intoxicated, inhiebriated, stoned and mad as hell. It’ll be an adventure!” I wouldn’t have let her do it! Period.
So enough about ever saying she is on a pedestal. She is not. Clearly and simply. I just want our system, the law of our land to work. To work and find this guy. Before he manages to do it again. I apologize Joe, but if I can truly understand your point would you not see and appreciate mine? BTW, I really do appreciate yours.
It helps churn the waters. (No pun intended!)
But now, back to my bridge test and yes, I had to be in Cville.
If Morgan did not know him then I would be inclined to believe that those witnesses would have heard a commotion. That bridge area is small. Small. If someone saw a THUMB out then they most definitely would have seen her getting into a car especially if she struggled. What? Were they that stealth?
No, J2K, O, and mary. I think that she was somewhat familiar with one of them or just him if he was the only one and if she left or was taken from the bridge. If not, it was in the lot regardless of timeline and witness accounts, and there was the struggle!
Hence, purse strewn about.
And O, I get that HE most definitely has a powerless, little prick, self-esteem problem. Sketch, that is. Why else would one need to grab and assault when he could go to any club and pick up a girl. He can’t. He is totally on a powertrip of epic proportions when he assaults. I would imagine the drugs have wreaked havoc on his already challenged libido thus the rage toward women. His aggression. The beating. And especially toward Morgan Harrington. I pray she got some swift kicks in on him. I’m sure she did and somebody besides him, knows this!
There is a possiblity that Morgan knew him from a few of her different circles. I hope that the victim in the 2005 assault can help in some way. Maybe in the grand scheme of things this is why she got away. Now how’s that for thinking beyond.
J, I’ll drive that bridge again, if needed. I did think that she would have been locked out for a while, tired, inhebriated, mad, wet, heels on, no one coming to help so at that point, I would even jump in.
(Well, no I wouldn’t because I have lived with a GOF for too long)
It is at this point, I am going to start believing that she was the
“SHINEST GIRL” EVA, EVA I SAY!
Sorry, I still must be dense on this part, but can someone tell me why people are assuming the DNA is off the t-shirt? The only thing I’ve read concrete points to it coming off her remains (Gil’s quote in a local roanoke article I mentioned above—she talks about DNA “not raining on a dead girl”). This makes me think the DNA is from the remains.
I think it makes a difference whether it’s off the t-shirt or the remains. IMO….
Here’s a Salvation Army with a furniture dept. on Seminole Trail.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=Charlottesville+Salvation+Army&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Salvation+Army&hnear=Charlottesville,+VA&view=map&cid=5750979338413130189&iwloc=A&ved=0CEkQpQY&sa=X&ei=6a0vTIb7IKqEygTcgNWICQ
I am thinking he hides in plain sight; eg. a glazier by day who breaks windows at night.
I was BEYOND APPALLED to see Johnny Gilmore’s name even mentioned in reference to the Morgan Harrington murder. I had known Johnny for 15 years or so. He was the least angry, least aggressive guy you’d ever meet. Just a gentle, mellow soul. As well as super, super, super talented.
I love reading this site, but have never posted before. And I probably will go back to lurking. But I just felt I had to say something in Johnny’s defense.
27.Eloise says:
July 3, 2010 at 12:44 pm
RE: According to the West Virginia case from 1987, he was never tried, convicted, nor served any time for sexual assault. Yet, it showed up on his criminal history. The most recent charges; a plea deal was given, depending on the state sentencing and any prison diagnostics, his DNA would not be in the system for comparison. *I probably need to read more about charges/convictions to make that determination based solely on web information though.
According to 2005 report, the victim was grabbed from behind and taken to a nearby park/pool area.
If there was a primary location, and then the secondary location of AF.
If it was the same type of situation with Morgan. She goes missing from the lot or the bridge. The question would be was any evidence recovered from nearby athletic fields/park/pool areas? I am really thinking the primary scene in on the campus of UVA.
Observer says:
July 3, 2010 at 2:59 pm
“TO: mary, re: the t-shirt – I understand completely your perspective; however (and I am going out on the proverbial skinny limb again here…) I do not believe nor have I believed that the shirt was planted.
I believe it was Morgan’s, and I believe that the DNA evidence referenced in the last few days was recovered from the shirt, rather than Morgan’s remains or evidence found adjacent to her remains at AF. [While the latter could certainly be true, my sense is that it is not.]”
With respect, what do you mean?
Why then placed, planted, laid out, throw?
Why the shirt and why there?
I’m not to proud to say I’m confused about this shirt?
Did he realize he had it and that day in early Nov, just chuck it out his car window?
Then Sketch was in the area, visiting or co-habitating?
Observer of much! We and I guess maybe only me have always thought he may have dropped something close to Morgan. You write “evidence found adjacent”, which latter to you mean?
Do you think that he could have also dropped something? Or do you mean Morgan could have been wrapped in a tarp of some sort or just her bones in a field? DNA was also linking Sketch to that field?
I’m trying to understand. Remember, I too, am here for the Long Haul.
Speaking of which, if truly Sketch, could he have been in Mr. Bass’s home, specifically J. Bass’ parties and could his be prints recovered? How about if it was a tag team and Peep was involved? Outside house?
Is this too far reaching?
Am I just too confused?
AND dear blacksburger: That post was a true friend, in deed and in need! I’m sorry about your loss. I’m sure Mr. Gilmore was a talent and a good friend to you. It is a tragic loss.
Observer, thank you again! Re: The shirt. If the shirt was not planted by the perp or an accessory, then it was just a random toss, just a coincidence? You do understand how hard that is to swallow after trying to swallow the hitchhiking story? And I could absolutely buy the snatch and grab scenario as in the Fairfax case except 1) Morgan was murdered, 2) her body was transported to a remote location known only to a few — I’m saying the exact spot her body was found is known only to a few, regardless of how many people partied at AF over the years, 3) her t-shirt ends up on the opposite side of Charlottesville, laid out on a bush screaming “find me” a week after a major search. I admire and esteem you, Observer, and I will certainly defer to you, but just wanna say how difficult it is to believe arguably the most sought after t-shirt in Virginia just happened to end up spread out on a bush for someone to find. I do believe the pieces are coming together as we speak, though.
Oh, one more question, re: the abovementioned peeper. Once a peeping tom has escalated to rape and/or murder, do they ever regress back to just peeping, as in watching girls sleep while pleasuring themselves?
Happy Fourth of July Blinksters!
Observer wrote: “I do not, however, believe that the shirt came to rest where it was later found because Morgan’s murderer–or an accomplice–placed it there intentionally to taunt LE.”
Do you think the shirt was just left behind or lost? And someone not knowing about the case found it around that location and put it on the bush thinking it might belong to someone in the building? Or that someone found it at a random location, and just didn’t want to get involved, so put it in a hard-to-miss spot?
Hello All.
I am an avid fan and constant follower but rarely post. However, this latest development has hit very close to home…I travel these roads everyday in Fairfax, so I have a few theories to share WRT the 2005 assault and Vanessa Pham (if related?…still not sure)
2005 assault occured on Rock Garden Drive off Jermantown Road. He must have grabbed her and continued to the back of the complex to the pool area where the assault happened…easy to imagine a passerby interupting the assault as the townhomes seem very close. He was seen running back toward Fairhaven Ct. which is in the direction of the Giant Food store (where the victim was coming from)…I also observed that there is a 7-11 right accross the street from the Jermantown Road entrance to the Giant….I believe he could have seen her from the 7-11 or Giant packing lot and followed her down Jermantown Road until she turned down her street, then grabbed her. He probably had a car back at the parking lot, and ran back to it. There is also a Comfort Inn right next to the 7-11. He could have been staying there, ie., a Salesman? I think he has money because of the desciption of his appearance: He looks well kempt and he was wearing a pullover sweater with a zipper and a white tee underneath, over light colored pants…sounds fairly preppy conservative dress to me….college guy, or professional who cares about his appearance. I don’t think he lives or works around there because I assume that LE canvassed the neighborhood with the wanted poster back in 2005, with apparently no results. He may know the area, however.
If Vannessa Pham’s murder is related…THAT JUST HAPPENED…meaning he was here, last Sunday, in the Fairfax area. After reading the account of her discovery, I thought about her route to Vienna to see her friends…she probably went from Annandale road (where she lived) to Gallows to Rt/ 50 west to 123 (Chain Bridge Road) north past Jemantown Road toward Vienna (123 cuts thru the center of Vienna). So, my theory places her in the vicinity of the 2005 assault at one point during her trip….maybe she stopped somewhere and was grabbed, assaulted, stabbed and left for dead….but she wasn’t dead and managed to get back in her car and was attempting to get back home or to get to the hospital (Inova hospital is only a few blocks from where her car was discovered in the ditch). I think she passed out and lost control of the car. The initial reports stated that LE thought it was a single car accident, at first. This tells me she was in the driver’s seat. What a valiant effort, if my theory is correct! My heart bleeds for all the many victims of this monster. May he be caught before any more are victimized.
mag603 says:
July 3, 2010 at 11:33 pm
I am really thinking the primary scene in on the campus of UVA.
*****
I think you may be right. Like the wooded area at the RV lot?
Happy & Safe 4th to all !
http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/link_made_between_morgan_harrington_case_and_2005_fairfax_abduction/108967/
“How does your DNA happen to be on a dead girl? DNA doesn’t land like rain on a dead girl,“ said Gil Harrington.
Does this confirm that the DNA/forensic evidence was found on Morgan’s body and not on the shirt?
Gil Harrington’s thoughts from June 30, 2010On June – 30 -2010
I have spent a lot of time these last 8! months contemplating secrets. Some secrets are information intentionally withheld; other secrets are hidden by happenstance or coincidence. A tricky one is the secret we keep from ourselves because we kind of see it but know it is ugly and cannot bear to confront it – yet.
A really great way to conceal something and keep it secret is to hide it in plain sight. I did this often with Morgan and Alex’s gifts at Christmas. The kids were masters at searching out presents that I had carefully hidden and squirreled away. Eventually, I learned that the best place to hide secret things is in plain sight where they could be easily overlooked, seemingly obvious spots where they blended in and their edges were a little blurry but not fully hidden or obscured. Those definitely were the most successful hiding places.
This is just how the murderer(s) in Charlottesville are escaping detection, by hiding in plain sight. They are a little off, their edges blurred, but they are passable if you only glance quickly and then look away. When a predator is walking among you, hiding in plain sight, you cannot be so inattentive. You must be alert and aware and really evaluating everyone around you. Always have an exit strategy in place. When the hairs on your neck raise and your skin starts to crawl take note, get out, call the police, and we’ll have him.
I believe that secrets have a season, like fruit. The secret of who killed Morgan Harrington is ready to be plucked and broken open. It is so cloyingly over ripe that it is starting to smell.
2 4 1
She is so right.
With the exception with the fact that the gentlemen in that sketch is anything but plain sight in the North Garden and Albemarle County Community.
B