Morgan Harrington Murder: A Security Check On Security- Why Did It Fail?
Charlottesville, VA-
On the afternoon of October 17, 2009, Morgan Harrington and three of her friends drove to John Paul Jones Arena, located on the University of Virginia campus, to attend a long-anticipated Metallica concert. Following an apparent fall and chin injury occurring around the time she was visiting the ladies room, Morgan ended up outside the arena and attempted to gain re-entry to the venue.
How and why she got there comes in at a baffling second only compared to what happened to her next.
Nine months ago Dr. Dan and Gil Harrington, Morgan’s parents were notified their daughter was missing which is when their nightmare began.
On November 5, 2009, the day before a search which was organized at the request of the Harrington’s was to commence, a vintage black Pantera t-shirt placed on a bush in front of an apartment complex at the intersection near 15th Street and Grady Ave. was located by a nearby resident.
While this discovery was not released publicly, Charlottesville PD knew immediately it belonged to Morgan Harrington. Sara Snead, one of the friends that accompanied Morgan to the concert, immediately confirmed the distinct vintage design that compelled Morgan to borrow the t-shirt from her a week before the show.
Subsequently, DNA analysis confirmed the t-shirt was indeed the same one Morgan was wearing the night she disappeared.
On January 26, 2010 the remains of Morgan Harrington were discovered by David Bass, owner of Anchorage Farm, located in Albemarle County. Although her cause of death has not been released, her manner of death has been classified as a homicide by the Virginia State Police.
Dan and Gil Harrington marked the nine-month anniversary of Morgan’s disappearance from her memorial on Copeley Bridge 4 days ago.
Gil Harrington’s impassioned statement made it clear that her family’s mission is to prevent what happened to Morgan from happening to another victim and their goal is to educate young women about safety and personal security.
On July 1st, based upon an article posted on blinkoncrime.com inside sources confirmed a forensic link between Morgan’s homicide and a Fairfax County Case. Research on this case indicates it was a violent sexual assault that happened in 2005. The victim assisted in the sketch of a man police wish to interview in connection with both the Fairfax assault as well as the apparent abduction and murder of Morgan Harrington. .
What did it mean to the investigation and to the parents of young women in Charlottesville? We have a serial offender on the loose in multiple jurisdictions and an immediate need to beef up personal security.
As our very vulnerable student body returns to campus next month, blinkoncrime.com provides a glimpse at current conditions.
Unregulated Regulations In Security
The 2004 General Assembly, through House Joint Resolution (HJR122), requested the Virginia State Crime Commission to study safety at Virginia’s institutions of higher education. As a result, DCJS created the Office of Campus Policing and Security (OCPS) to address the law requiring minimum training and employment standards for campus security officers.
Campus Security Regulations for Institutions of Higher Education in the State of Virginia, fall under the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Private Security Services Advisory Board. Below is an excerpt of the unapproved draft meeting notes of their quarterly meeting held December 8, 2009; the first and only since Morgan’s disappearance from JPJ.
The issue of safety and security on college campuses was addressed in a 2006 Crime Commission Study on Campus Safety. This study resulted in the statutory requirements under Code of Virginia (Code) §9.1-102 (49).
College populations represent a large concentration of students between the ages of 18-25 years with limited supervision and life experience. In terms of homeland security, campuses are identified as “soft targets” and are frequently targeted by domestic and foreign terrorists. Campuses also house volatile materials and research facilities that are also targeted by radical elements in society. Campuses host large stadium events and concerts that are potential targets for terrorism and riots. Most campuses also have facilities that are open to the public and are relatively difficult to secure and lockdown. Campus Security Officers are primary first responders to incidents of crime and violence on campus.
Although UVA campus security officers require a certification provided by DCJS, there are ZERO regulatory standards for certification. It was NOT until Morgan Harrington disappeared from the grounds of the JPJ Arena that emergency regulations were sought from Governor Bob McDonnell.
How does a woman on the campus of a University that provides it’s very own Police Department in addition to event security simply vanish without a trace?
By the time Morgan ends up in a hay field 7 miles away, she has passed through 3 different law enforcement jurisdictions and a slew of private campus and event security agencies and personnel. While private security regulations fall under the umbrella of the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services, they also require a judicial amendment only if and when they are approved via “emergency” status by the Governor.
Who’s Looking Out For The Kids, Exactly?
As the safety on campus study showed, our college age kids are at their most vulnerable in the University setting. Out from under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad and wading through the rich culture and nightlife of downtown Charlottesville, students face a host of potential safety risks.
In fact, during the very development of this article, I received an alert from UVA security that a UVA student was sexually assaulted in the area of Roosevelt Boulevard. While I commend the swift response and warning from UVA PD chief Michael Gibson, I can’t help but wonder if a similar alert upon learning Morgan disappeared from the UVA/JPJ campus would have made a difference for her.
A simple Google of “Charlottesville security” produces the front page for HH Security Services, Inc, a local private security and bail bonding firm. I am no expert but isn’t it a bit odd to claim to protect one’s security and then bond out someone that may threaten it in the first place?
Who is vetting the security that is responsible for ensuring safety?
While HH Security or it’s employees have no known ties whatsoever to the Harrington case, it is a prime example of the weakness of current security regulations, involving students and private events, 6 years in the making.
At H & H Security Services, Inc. we specialize in Private Investigation, Private Security both armed and unarmed as well as fast efficient Civil Process Service. Our full-time professional agents are well trained, well equipped, well informed, and discreet.? Owner Rod Howard is a native of Charlottesville and central Virginia, where he’s been a well respected business owner for over twenty years. H & H Security Services, Inc. is his vehicle in his effort to help serve and protect the community he grew up in. Over the years he’s assembled a team of certified and experienced personnel who share his commitment to the safety of the community.
HH Security, in a business journal ad, claims to hire members of law enforcement and be very well connected with various police departments and security agencies for nightclubs, special events and home security checks as well in 2007.
HH Security is the security firm of choice for Club 216, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Rivals, which are bars frequently visited by UVA students and athletes.
Roderick M Howard, owner of HH Security and H&H Car detailing maintains active licenses issued through the VA Dept of Criminal Justice Services for private security and as a bailbondsman.
While blinkoncrime editors were researching this piece, a review of Albemarle County Court records show Roderick Howard was arrested for felony rape in 1993, subsequently indicted for same and a year later on the first day of trial, pled guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery whereby he was sentenced to 12 months, 11 of which were suspended and two years unsupervised probation.
Howard was also arrested a few times for felony bad checks; both cases ended nolle prosequi.
How can an accused rapist and convicted sexual batterer hold a dual license in the private security sector as well as two classifications of firearms, all of which is monitored by the VADCJS? It is specifically stated in the regulations regarding moral turpitude AND sexual battery that the VADCJS MAY DENY an applicant on those grounds.
According to Mr. Howard’s own advertisement, he has been in the security industry since 1989. Would that mean he was employed in the security field when he was arrested for rape?
Shockingly, It may be perfectly legal. Although the administrative statute for licensure prohibits granting a license to someone with a misdemeanor sexual battery conviction, if Howard divulged the crime in his application and requested a waiver from the director at the time, it is possible one was granted.
Blinkoncrime.com spoke to Lisa McGee, Regulatory Program Manager for DCJS, private security advisory committee:
“…there is a code in the statute that allows the potential for both an individual convicted of a felony and the outlined misdemeanors exceptions contained therein to obtain a director’s waiver. Two felonies we would never even consider are rape and murder, but dependent upon the criminal offense, the circumstances and the length of time that has transpired with a clean record, the verbiage in the statute would allow an applicant to at least request a waiver for our consideration…” Lisa McGee
Ms. McGee was not able to address Mr. Howard’s file specifically, citing privacy laws, but she was able to verify that Mr. Howard’s registration with the agency is current.
There are however, some discrepancies in the press release written to announce the “restructuring” of both companies, announced October 19th.
For starters, there was only a name change to Mr. Howard’s business, which actually took place prior to the October 19 release date, in May, 2009.
These are not two separate businesses. In fact, the bailbondsman license issued to Mr. Howard’s agent, Anthony Halstead, leads back to Accelerated Bail Bonds, which is not a listed entity in the state of Virginia or listed as a fictitious name for H&H Security Services.
I would be willing to wager that the police departments that allow off duty security employment with this firm would appreciate some clarification on both the personnel and licensing issues.
There has been no arrest in the homicide of Morgan Harrington. In a statement released by Corrine Geller, PR manager for the Virginia State Police, VSP has received approximately 100 significant leads from the release of the sketch of the alleged perpetrator of the 2005 Fairfax County sex assault.
Dan and Gil Harrington will be meeting with new University of Virginia President, Teresa Sullivan, next month to address safety and security issues on campus.
“..People think it cannot happen to them, IT CAN– Dan Harrington.”
Editors Note: I am not a resident of Virginia. However, I think the interest of the safety of our children is a National one. Any person that is placed in a position of public trust, most especially those that come into contact with our vulnerable students, should be REQUIRED to disclose past convictions that would negate them that position without some sort of subjective “pass”. How can we know-TRULY KNOW the level of presumed safety if we really aren’t aware of the backgrounds of those in charge of it?
Blinkoncrime.com editors Jason Mateos, Elizabeth Morton and Madeline Tanner contributed to this report
Images by Klaasend
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thank you MsL. You said it well.
to The Harringtons: hang in there.
Wow!!!!! Great post MsL Thanks!!!!!!
Great post MsL. I am so upset that the posters of “Sketch” are not hanging EVERYWHERE around North Garden, C-Ville and ESPECIALLY in the new ACPD North Garden satellite office!!
Now I am VERY upset. I am sorry Dr Harrington and Gil that you have to deal with this apparent disconnect.
I am sorry Blink that you are also forced to deal with it.
I am sorry that Morgans beyond vicious and out of control killer or killers, still walk freely among vulnerable returning college students at UVA and on the streets of C-ville.
The whole situation is downright abhorrent and sickening.Soon we will be in mid October one whole year, 365 days since Morgan was abducted,beaten to a pulp and left for dead in a cold lonely cornfield.
Enough!!
O Hum-
You said it my friend. I continue to feel that your artistic work is so very important to her case, sans explanation though.
Keep at it please.
BB
Ok Blink On Crime!
Ready for a post or two?
lol my deat friend, I have moved to the big screen. Let her rip.
B
Thanks Blink for offering up that tidbit. It helps to cross things off the list.:)
It’s funny how people can have different takes on the same piece of information. I too had trouble deciding in what light to take MsL’s post, reviewing back to see what was recently discussed, or what I have missed. I guess many are here on BOC to offer possible scenereos on what happened that night. Because yes, after 11 months I think it IS obvious that LE is not sending us their memo. But what else do we have to contemplate? I try and follow Blink’s lead and see what if any loose ends we can keep on the list or scratch off. It’s unfortunate that there are locals that do not have correct information regarding Morgan’s abduction and subsequent murder. They are the specific people that would benefit the most. I think the Harrington’s have gone out of their way to provide information and if people choose to only hear what makes them feel better, it is a loss to them. Certainly that would be just one reason an update from LE would be beneficial for safety issues alone. A generic update will not harm any investigation. But I must say, it doesn’t appear to be in LE’s best interest to keep this story alive, and I want to know why that is.
Blink on Crime;
I have no words of wisdom, none of my humorous wit, or chatty banter. I’m just trying to stay afloat here. As are we all.
My mother died one year ago today…I say this not because I want to hash out my own shit here. I do not. I’m just bringing it up because of Texas Grand’s post. Here I’ll quote:
1.“Gil’s post about the analogy of the canarys used in the mines as sacrificial things used to protect others, shows just how much she is hurting. Let all of us wrap Gil in our prayers to help bring her peace.”
Mrs. Harrington, yes in pain. Pain that will never go away. Pain that last until that last gasping “fish outta water” breathe. Somehow my mother came to understand her choice. Her choice for hospice. She had amazing nurses who were by her side.
Much like Nurse Harrington. Never leaving her or us.
WE…were a mess yet again!
Mrs. Gil Harrington and my mother…One in the same.
Both needing peace.
My mom so much older than Morgan’s mom.
Gil is my peer. Morgan could have been mine.
She could have been all of ours.
See Mrs. Harrington said something so similar to my own mother’s, in her writings on August 16th. Her blog on Find Morgan.
My own mother said it when my kids and I finally made it to her.
“…, we won’t feel her soft hand on our faces as we die/it is.”
My own mom’s words:
“I will not have her “soft hands” upon my face. Yes, those of you left but not her. This is not the way it was meant to be. But, I will tell you what a job you all are doing! She loved you, fishy!”
The last word she said was the name of my daughter.
It was gut-wrenching and the kids struck silent.
Wow! What to do? How to deal?
How to carry on with all of your reality you want us to do.
“You’ve all suffered enough”, they say.
Morgan would have wanted you to be happy. “Let it go.”
Gil Harrington is correct when she writes that people beckon you back to their reality.
They want it glossy, pretty, without the mess of explaining your so-called life baggage.
But, it is just not your reality anymore. We cannot just let it go. They are our family. They are our friends.
And there are many days of looking like the 1980′s Alice Cooper, for sure!(not meant to be funny, just the way it is)
“Children are orphans and parents are nothing”
It is sad, painful, and a black hole…
nothing to say yet I have so much to say.
Children loved and parents who have come to mean the world.
Including Blink’s own little wee-man.
Everyone just friggin’ LONGING for that peace and to try to help. Some of us…BOC better at it than others. Me, not so much.
We all are just driving everyday looking for someone who is no longer there.
But I know that drive. I had faced it before.
The knowing that death was around the corner.
Thankfully this time by her own choice.
Brave.
Some people do not get to make this valiant choice.
Their last breathes are taken from them.
Evil.
I mention all this because my mother died not having the one hand on her face, she so desperately wanted. My sister.
Yes, do I believe they both have peace? Yes, finally.
SHE is no longer alone and SHE is no longer grieving for the dead.
~~~~~
Which finally Blink on Crime and my friends brings me to my point.
A point I’ve been working on for the last week.
See, lately, I’ve been thinking before I speak.(unusual, i know)
I’ve been thinking about “A BOC Shift in Strategy Theory”
*I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT!!!
A shift in Strategy!
What can we do to try and help Morgan’s case?
To help her parents and brother find peace?
Remember, the Harrington Family owes us nothing; they could just go back and live their life with their beloved memories.
They are choosing to help all of us left. Our own children.
Could you take a moment out of your day and fire off a letter, an e-mail (which we all seem to be competent bloggers so I’m thinkin’ not a big deal for us), a fax, a phone call?
Do not let this family believe they are alone, they are nothing and their daughter meant nothing.
Instead of an
“Appeal to You Know Who”,
How about a
“Plea to We All Know Who”!
I was thinking that if we have a letter for each of us to copy and send to the offices listed below maybe this will help?
I don’t know what else to do. So here it goes:
Governor Bob McDonnell
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor
1111 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (804) 786-2211
Fax: (804) 371-6351
~~~~~
The Office of Denise Lunsford, Albemarle County Prosecutor
http://www.albemarle.org/page.asp?info=courts
410 East High Street
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
Phone: (434) 972-4072
Fax: (434) 972-4093
~~~~~
The Office of Virginia State Police
This site shows obvious dedication!
Yes, Cosmo have faith. These men and women don’t look like their faking it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/governorva/sets/72157624741051465/show/
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/contact.shtm
Col. W. Steven Flaherty
Administrative Headquarters
7700 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23235
Mailing Address:
PO Box 27472
Richmond, VA 23261
Phone: 804-674-2000
Fax: 804-674-2936
E-mail: Questions@vsp.virginia.gov
~~~~~
The Office of the President of the University of Virginia:
http://www.virginia.edu/president/
Ms. Teresa Sullivan
P.O. Box 400224
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4224
Phone: (434) 924-3337
Fax: (434) 924-3792
~~~~~
I‘m going to paste an example letter in my next post.
Remember I’m not a writer, not a legal eagle, not a professional in what it takes to apprehend someone; just a “Concerned Heart” that needs for someone to be held accountable for taking
Morgan Dana Harrington
away from her family and friends.
Before anyone says that this cannot be done, I beg of you, please look at your kids, your wife, your sister, your mother, your loved one in your family. Just look at them!
Would you really want for this to happen to your family?
The violence, the crime, the pain and suffering?
I would expect a great deal of “not a fucking chance” from all of us!
So, why can’t we have someone with sound mind draft a letter up and post here.
Blink, would that be ok with you?
I know that we could put a plea out to J2K, to Wordgirl, Mary, localcvillegirl, RedHilllocal, and even Counseler4U or any of the other great minds on this site!
I’m sure someone would answer my plea for help.
Would someone help me?
Just rewrite my lame words and make me sound like I know what I’m talking about!
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s just that if we stand alone then we are vulnerable but if we stand together we are strong and can give Morgan a voice to be heard. A voice to be reckoned with.
This is all I’m asking.
I have thought long and hard about what it is I’m suppose to do!!! Maybe I’m done. ???
Maybe I should be the one to go back to my own reality. The reality of taking care of what was left behind and searching for my own peace of mind.
Life does march on but it is up to some of us that have the drive and determination to do something. See, I made a promise to help and it’s just that I’m thinking Morgan and her family still needs help.
No, maybe not walking through the thickets, the brush, the hayfield (but if you, Mr. Bass want me to do that, call me); I’ll keep looking for that clue on a website, on a note taken, and yes, even in that hayfield.
It’s what I think my calling is to help a family heal the best way I know how.
No, I am NOT, NOT, NOT doubting that the Virginia State Police and Lt. Rader; really everyone is doing their best but it just seems to me that somehow, someway we all should be able to give our support. People think and say, it has become a cold case.
They will never be apprehended.
Some even say local law enforcement is involved.
***My oh my, this guy is so worthwhile, so good, so competent that someone else wouldn’t turn him in? Nobody wants a promotion? Nobody wants that reward? Most importantly, nobody wants to do what’s right and just?***
Now, I do not know if there is a faction of law enforcement involved. Maybe there is and in that case, I’m scared, scared for my kids, for myself, for all those women out here. This guy beats, rapes, murders. We have been told and I gave a checklist months ago.
Mom3.0 go find it. I have lost my ability to search Blink’s site.
My brain fried.
Body – check
Location – check
Clues – check
Community support – check
On so on and so on.
We even can add Sketch from Fairfax into the mix. He assaults and we even have a picture of what a true coward looks like.
Whether he just places a t-shirt or not is really insignificant to me. He should pay the price just for his sick, violent obsession of assaulting that young lady in Fairfax, Virginia.
I’m thinking that there also could be something that goes way beyond the normal, everyday common murder here. I know, sounds strange to say that. Something is just not ringing true to the land of North Garden, Virginia.
No, she goes missing from thousands, ends up with someone placing her out there on Anchorage Farm?
If there are locals who suspect who did this to Morgan Harrington, I would hope and pray that they are man enough to come forward and say it. The time has come and gone but we will not give up.
Here I’ll even link this site.
Maybe we can write to them. They are local!
They have a voice!
They seem to care about North Garden, Virginia!!!
http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/elections.html
Duane Snow (R)
Madison Cummings (D)
John Lowry (I)
I am really trying on this anniversary of my own bereaved mother’s death to realize it is just not about me!
It is about justice for a young lady and her family.
It just so happens to be about justice for us all too.
Let’s do all we can to prevent the next one.
Preventative medicine, if you will.
This guy is still out here and really I ask him what does he want?
“A long time ago Blink On Crime had mentioned you have;
2 **
4****
1*
On your tale-tell heart?”
Why did she say this?
Would you walk in to see Lt. Rader if you were on a sympathetic arm?
Would you walk in to see Lt. Rader if you told us it was an outta control night?
Would you walk in to see Lt. Rader if you knew that we believed you could change?
Would you walk in to see Lt. Rader if you proof-positive knew that you would have help?
That there are people out here that maybe could understand your addictions?
“I, dear sir, may not be that person but I would be willing to try to understand why you did what you did? Why you made those choices? Can you be that evil of a person?
After all, we sit with them gone. Placed six feet under, on a coffee table, and yes, a little part of them blowing on a shore breeze. Neither you nor I will bring them back. You want to disappear.
Make it go away.
We are not going away.
Please seek help. Please seek justice. What you did was wrong and yes, even evil.
The Harrington Family may go back to whatever reality they have to learn to live with now but the searching and seeking will continue.
Or should I say “Seek and Destroy”, per Metallica!
You need to seek out help by means of Lady Justice.
You need to destroy what pain lives inside of you that make you want to hurt others.
You need help. Help that no one is able to provide to you.
Your family so obviously does not give a shit about you.
Even though they protect you. That is not love, my friend.
Love is…you stand up for your wrongs, take the hit, and make it right. Period.
Make it right……………….Officer???”
~~~~~
There Blink On Crime, I think I’m done for the time being.
I have a family that is going to celebrate this afternoon.
Celebrate a life of a mother who finally met up with her baby girl.
Two lives that were torn apart, never being able to heal, and longing for each other.
A mother and her child.
love and support,
fish
This is the letter I need help on!!!!
~~~~
Dear Sir or Madam:
We, the citizens of the State of Virginia and beyond, wish to express our concern about the investigation of the murder of Morgan Dana Harrington.
As you may know, Morgan was taken from the City of Charlottesville, while attending a Metallica rock concert at the John Paul Jones Arena on the campus of the University of Virginia, October 17, 2009.
Although, we do understand that the wheels of justice sometime do not turn as fast as we all would like, it just seems they have stopped turning all together. Normally, this might be sufficient.
In this case, it is anything but. There is a murderer out here that did an unspeakable act of violence against this young girl. She paid with her life. Do we need another? We think not. This is why we are writing to you.
To all of you who can help us turn those wheels ever so much faster.
We are concerned, worried, frightened for our children. For our daughters, sisters, and yes, even our mothers. We have no way of knowing how this case is progressing as there has not been a single word concerning Morgan’s case for a very, very long time.
We ask…Is it cold? What can we, your public, do to help you? We are your voice; we can be the change you need. Do you need our vote? Our support? Our willpower to do what’s right?
We are all perplexed as Morgan’s skeletonized remains were found by Mr. David Bass, on his Anchorage Farm property in North Garden, Virginia. It seems she laid on Mr. and Mrs. Bass’s property for 101 days.
How does a girl go from the relative safety of a college campus, attending a concert of thousands to ending up in a remote hayfield…ALONE?
Yes, where Morgan was found is remote!
Bordered by the rich, the famous, and even the working class.
But one thing is very clear. Actually crystal! Someone local knew this property. In the daylight and even in the darkness. He is local. He must be apprehended. He must face his peers.
We are not willing to give him another Virginian daughter or beyond. Period.
Are we clear? Crystal?
We know that North Garden, Virginia approximately has a population of 2,154. Give or take. We have tried to research the best we all could. Some might laugh and say let it go. We will not and will never intent to “Let it go”.
Somehow no one heard Morgan’s cries that night.
We are hearing her family’s cry’s now.
We want you to know that she, Morgan Dana Harrington deserves more.
We all do.
This is why we have supported you and Virginia State Police to date. Even with this support, we have the right to question, to doubt, to panic, and yes, even to remain steady in our resolve to rid this land of someone who took a life that was not his right to take.
He stole her from her family, her friends, and her life. He needs to be held accountable. No matter whom HE is. We do not care. All we want is for our streets to be safer by taking one more off the streets. Possibly more. They need “three hots and a cot” and maybe a doctor or two to figure out why they did what they did.
Murdered Morgan Dana Harrington!
You may also know that there was a DNA link to a sexual assault in Fairfax, Virginia in 2005. As you can surmise, this is of utmost importance, with the emphasis on URGENT, in apprehending this specific individual. Maybe he acted alone in taking Morgan. We doubt it.
The sketch is the man with the rest of the story on what exactly happened to Morgan and to that devastated young lady in Fairfax…
We would implore you to be as urgent as one can be in solving what happened that fateful night to Morgan Dana Harrington. We have our girls at risk. You have your girls at risk too.
Do not doubt this and say what so many say,
“Oh, it would never happen to mine!”
It can and does.
Please, if it is votes you need at election time, then votes you will have.
But, our votes can also be given to some else.
All we can say is do not take it personally.
After all, we all are too busy taking the murder of Morgan Harrington personally and cannot be burdened by, yet, another weight of worrying about how it is you feel. We already said we support you.
Thank you for listening to us and for making the right decision when it comes to solving the death of Morgan.
A shiny girl who was violently taken off the face of this earth.
A shiny girl who laid in an Albemarle County hayfield for 101 days before being returned to her family.
A shiny girl who lost a fight.
Let us all win in memory of her.
Sincerely,
XXXXXXX
~~~~~
Now here’s the rub! Someone please rewrite the above. It sounds like shit, emotional, and makes no sense. I need for someone to jump on here and JUST FRIGGIN DO IT. I tried to get a point across, it is too long, remember I have a shitton of baggage.
But, at least I tried and did it without one curse word.
(Although, I have a copy in reserve).
Please someone edit and make it short and to the point. Thanks and somehow I will owe each and every one of you. Researching her steps, the choices, who was in what lot is not working.
We need to take a bigger step.
I just do not know how to do that!!!
“Morgan’s family members have every right to be kept totally informed. If they feel not enough is being done to find their Morgan’s killer, they have every right to make that feeling public and to ask for whatever additional assistance is available to them. LE has the absolute obligation IMO to answer all of their questions if the answers do not jeopardize the investigation, but they also have the obligation to keep secret any information, even from family members, that could jeopardize the possibility of an arrest or a conviction.”
MsL. I absolutely agree and couldn’t have said it better.
Blink. I’m just glad you switched to a big screen!
I have more if needed!
I just feel as parents we all need to help.
No matter who needs it.
I just wish I could do more.
I’ll be quiet now. (for a while…at least)
I have become convinced that we are dealing with someone with a lot of clout or who is being very, very well protected by someone with a lot of clout. There are certain aspects of this case that can bring me to no other conclusion. Naturally, this is my own opinion, certainly, by no means, any fact.
It sickens me that here we are, September of the following year, and although thankfully Morgan was found, her killers have not been.
Where is the outcry from people, though? We here at BOC and FM are not enough in number to have a loud enough voice. Why aren’t people demanding something be done about a killer or killers on the loose on the very same streets their daughters, grand-daughters, what have you, are walking down? I don’t understand the silence, the calm, the seemingly no worry in the world manner people seem to have? Why do they need realize that YES, it can happen to them, their fsmily, their loved one. How can they look at their own daughter and not have heartfelt compassion for the Harringtons? Nor do I understand the lack of warnings, wanted posters, fliers, whatever. Is it me cause I certainly do not get it.
I have not seen anyone who has come forward publicly saying that they saw Morgan HH’ing, other than one FB post by someone named Maggie Voth, who’s post I personally do not consider to be a reliable one. Actually, we’ve heard much more creditable posts by other people such as the newspaper lady, book-keeper, limo driver, etc. that would support the contrary.
Has it ever been officially confirmed that the dogs scent without doubt puts her last place on the bridge? Has it been confirmed that there was or wasn’t a scent picked up around Wild Wings? Did they ever indicate if her scent was picked up around the on-campus living areas? Did they even ever check there?
I think it also warrants asking exactly WHO has shut the BB players up? LE has said not them. Then WHO I ask again is the reason why none of them has said not one word, not one, publically.
The battery cover on with the battery missing indicates to me beyond any doubt that it was purposely removed by the killer(s). I’m certain it was to prevent any cell phone pings. Tells me that this was thought out OR done by someone with knowledge of what basis’s needed covered.
The location and the timing of the house fire. In my own opinion, I feel the house fire is connected and I believe had evidence of Morgan. I feel Anchorage Farm was somewhere the killers could a kind of keep watch over, a location that they knew and could monitor somehow. They must be in a place that possibly if they had a police scanner, they were close enough to get to the house to initiate the fire that quickly.
My personal belief was that she was at a party at UVA (based on witness reports) that moved to where the house fire was and that is where she met her demise (thus the reason for the house fire – to eliminate evidence). But, not necessarily at the hands of who she went there with. I do think that there are people who know and are not talking, won’t talk, for some reason that must be quite compelling.
I ride the fence on if I believe she was placed on AF by dawn of daybreak next day. Part of my believes it was not until a minimum of couple weeks later that she was placed on AF.
Just trying to lay out all my thoughts to see if myself or anyone else here can making any sense of it all. So far, no luck myself.
Not sure whether it is relevant or useful in this context, but a list of concealed weapon permit holders in Fairfax is available on Wikileaks.
Will someone in town PLEASE print pics of Sketch and ask the owner of Crossroads Store if he will post them for you? That guy is a neighbor of the Sutherland Rd fire homeowners and I am sure he would love for all of this to get resolved and go away once and for all.
Same for the post office on Plank Rd and, God forbid, the new Alb PD satellite office? I will mail some to Gov McDonnell and ask him to make the request. This goes beyond the pale … not even pretending to encourage community awareness and activism.
What is this, VSP? Investigation or apathy? I have defended you all ad nauseum, believe me, and this is what you are (not) doing?! A simple printout, some tape, and the tiny effort it takes to hang a picture?
You cannot imagine the crap being talked about safety in Virginia by out of staters right now, and I have this level of inactivity to cite in your defense? I love our Commonwealth and I cannot stand to learn this kind of thing. Going to the governor, I am. I’ve had it.
acho-
I simply wanted to acknowledge your angst my dear friend-
Other than that, I would not be so precocious to add a syllable.
I sincerely hope your “lead” is taken.
B
Great post, MSL! You said it so well.
Fish, we are so ready for your posts!
Okay maybe I got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Sorry! I’ve been to theonion.com and had some huge laughs — I highly recommend it for stress relief. I’ve had a half glass of wine and I feel much more mellow. I’m on the edge of my seat cause I haven’t seen a post since fish asked if we were ready. But that’s okay. I thought maybe if I posted something it would refresh. Love you guys, mean it!
I was just getting ready to say how disappointed I am that we do not have any answers to the question of this crime in almost one year, but I see that others feel my sentiment. Something about the cooler fall air in Virginia coming this weekend makes me very disappointed that this case is still a mystery, and the unsettling thing about it is that we do not know if LE is on third base, or has struck out.
Having watched other cases go cold since the mid ’80′s with Colonial Parkway first in my mind, I just can’t shake the feeling that no answers is NOT FAIR first to Morgan’s family, and in a smaller way, to the citizens of Virginia. We deserve to not be kept waiting to see if this creep is going to strike again.
At the very least, I think the Commonwealth’s Attorney should keep Morgan’s case as the first thing in her mind when prosecuting other miscreants in this area, and in fact, all of the Commonwealth’s Attorneys should be on the listen for info coming in from other miscreants they prosecute, as to be willing to see if they know anything such as a who, in exchange for some consideration in choice of prisons, private room, etc.
I think LE needs to do some out of the box thinking on this one, (to paraphrase Blink’s idea), or either they need to show their cards and get the public to help. I am afraid that LE thinks that not solving a crime like this one is acceptable.
It most certainly is not.
I just feel as parents we all need to help.
No matter who needs it.
I just wish I could do more.
I’ll be quiet now. (for a while…at least)
____________
Me too fish.
Fish, I don’t believe I’ve ever expressed my admiration for you. I have to admit that I don’t agree with everything you post, but then it would be odd if I did. I do know that every word you post, you do it from the depths of your heat, a heart that has been sorely injured by violence, but a heart that survived to care deeply.
As for my previous post, I would like to make another amendment so that it reads…an arrest and conviction. An arrest, without the evidence to win a conviction, would be an empty act and ultimately heartbreaking for Morgan’s family.
I’m sorry, I would never make my living as a proofreader, my dear children would starve. Please read the above sd…I do know that every word you post, you do it from the depths of your heart…..
Texas grandfather- sounds like you had a busy day- glad you are back sharing your wisdom with us.
LPT- Localc-girl- nice to see you- LPT everything and nothing at all is redundant in Morgan’s case.
Judi-As to the comment from the Hook- I don’t understand it, I didn’t make up the MV comment. Blink’s right it is factually incorrect. But I am happy to know that Blink is looking forward to YEARS of my postings. LOL – I sincerely hope by then, we will not be discussing Morgan’s unsolved case.
I understand everyone is wanting this case out of the ‘limelight’ especially out of the BOC spotlight.. The only way The Harrington’s and Blink are going away- is when it is solved.
I am getting sick of ‘hearing’ my theories and others attempts to help too. Heck it SEEMS like it has been years since Morgan’s abduction. I aree with others that at first I thought Morgan’s case would be solved in no time. State of the art security cameras- Witnesses documenting Morgan’s movements. The purse find- The shirt Find, Morgan found- Evidence of her placement ect.- Connection to past brutal rape, Sketch released- (thanks Blink)- Sadly, it has not been solved and I and others here and on FB are still trying to help. What horrible people we are.
Happy Labor Day all. Keep up the good work- you horrible, horrible people!
Heart U
B The Horrible
Well, let’s start making a list of what they need to do. Any evidence linking Morgan to the house that burned. Strange that the cause of the fire has not been made public. Or I may have missed that info. Was any DNA recovered other than Sketch? I mean they don’t have to give names just maybe something. But then they may have suspects but are not going to make that public at this time. We may not know anything until arrests are made. Hmmmm, don’t think I’ve helped much. Surely they are giving Morgan’s family more info than they are making public. I hope so. Hopefully there will be arrests soon. I don’t think LE will tell the public anything until arrests are made. They want to be confident they will get a guilty verdict -if perps are tried and the jury does not convict….they walk. I think VSP want to build a good solid case. I’m sure they are keeping the Harringtons informed on the investigation. The rest of us will have to wait, I guess.
I get it now. Peace out, Charlottesville. Que sera, sera.
Haven’t posted lately; but just wanted to say that I am still praying for justice for Morgan. J4M
Fish, Thank you for the addresses of Va. public officials etc. This is probably the most useful/helpful information I have right now(other than “Dear God, please help.”) Let’s get writing….
Does anyone know the last time the Harringtons were updated on the case by VSP? If has been longer than 60 days, someone or more than one needs to be a squeeky wheel and ask for an update. Let them know that not only are locals and people in Virginia discussing this case, but others as far away as Texas and California are concerned as well.
If we indeed have a security problem, what security group(s) could involved? If it is UVA security, then there should be some record of who was working the Metallica concert.
Looking at the links to the Hook about the weather, it appears that rain and snow were problems in November and December 2009. My youngest daughter works for the National Weather Service. I will ask her if she can get a daily weather report for Albemarle and surrounding counties for the period of Oct. 17, 2009 thru Jan. 31,2010.
The renewal of the posters with something about the length of time could be a kick starter for LE to get going again. This might also get some more local people thinking about the danger to others that still exists.
The JPJ arena utilizes off duty LE, RMC Events and HH Security, and all 3 are on the approved vendor list for all of UVA..
B
Virgina relies a great deal on United State and International tourism: Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge Mountains, Norfolk, Arlington Cemetery. Civil War, and American Revolutionary war sites just to name a few of those great areas of the Commonwealth.(even Hooker’s troop followers could have been considered “tourists” ((smiles, look that one up)) And don’t forget Jack Jewett
I have traveled to Virgina many, many times since the age of 9 (9/11 that will be 61 years ago) and lived in Alexandria, taught in Fairfax County for for 2 years. I would think tourism is the top or one of the top revenues for the Commonwealth. hotel taxes, phone taxes,gasoline taxes and the businesses benefiting in VA! Believe me, I live in a city that relies on tourism. When tourists don’t feel safe that industry, the city, state suffer.
What about all the military there also?
If I had a college aged child I would think twice about the UVA no matter how great it is. You just can’t have a bad guy(s) including men and women going around loose like this. IMO there is a cover-up going on somewhere. If it involves LE than get with it. Something IMO all along has never “smelled right” IMO
Not that I have said all that, I wish you to know that Charlottesville, Moticello. Alexandria plus time spent just west, southwest of Chalottesville, making apple butter, staying at a farm of a relative who ran a farm for recovering alcoholics so they could get back to the Oneness of God and nature. All I remember of its location was if we went across a ridge or two we would be in Waynesburg or Waynesborough (Senior moment; only good thing about being a Sr. you can blame lack of memory on it). These, other than Indianapolis, are my favorite places. My family lived in VA. from 1749 until going with Daniel Boone to Fort Boonesborough in the west part of Virginia now known as Kentucky.
For goodness sakes, get this solved! God Bless Morgan, her family, her friends, Blink and all those here.
Does VA., UVA, Charlottesville need this type of black name?
Darn, really worked up now. On a roll. Am emailing all you have listed here and more.
In looking for Natalee, after the boycott of Aruba was started by some regular just everyday men and women on scaredmonkeys.net a bunch of the scaredmonkeys went to every travel show where Aruba was and had signs out front “Where’s Natallee ?” Blink, do you remember that? The local, state and national main stream media really picked up on it. There was Boston, I think NYC. All kinds of cities where the Aruban Tourist Bureau came to exhibit. Tourism in Aruba went down 10- 15 %. It has never recovered and it’s been over 5 years. Same thing happened to another tourist place, help was it Puerto Rico?
Tourists felt unsafe. Never went back.
OK BIG HINT to the Commonwealth of VA., Charlottesville, the fine UVA and find universities and colleges in VA. Get with the program or turn it over to someone else to solve. How about contacting Alumni Associations at the VA. universities and colleges? Maybe big money will be reluctant to go into a sports or educational area where the students aren’t save?
Who murdered Morgan?
Meant “safe” not “saved”. I was thinking of the fine religious universities/ colleges there so “saved” was on my mind. Mind is on information overflow at the moment. No to “howstuffworks.com” thinks that’s it to relax by playing their electronic zig saw puzzles.
Addicting as BOC and scaredmonkeys.net, .com, . radio.
Blink do you think Kermit comes in here at times??? I still have Klaas’s Christmas tree and t-shirt with all our avatars on it. Was to shy and missed the bus but did catch the tree. Not shy now!!! By the way, Klaas, Red are “top drawer” as they say in the East!
Gads and I loved teaching 4th grade in VA. American History at it’s best! So much to learn, savor. Sorry Jack, my bad! I spelled your name wrong so I will go to the board and write it 60 times (big rooms, long black boards all around)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Jouett
Noticed in the article they call him the “Paul Revere of the South”. I called him that in 1967 It wasn’t listed at the time in the history book of the VA 4th grade, I don’t think. Think it would be a hoot if I was to first one to call him that!!
Neat story on but I thought our 4th grade book said his dad had owned a tavern; Jack overheard the drunken British soldiers talking about kidnapping Jefferson, Washington, and many others at Monticello. The 4th grade VA. history book said Jack road on his horse through thick thickets (is there any other kind?) in pitched black darkness (I know, any other kind?) to get 31 scars on his face. (I always wondered how the horse did, also) Jack successful with the warning of the approaching British troops so that those who held in their hands, their intellect, their gumption Our Great Nation. All escaped by Jefferson’s tunnels and the the powers regroup the Militia to surround the British at Yorktown to end the Revolutionary War.
/b With Virginian stock like that? /b and the murder of Morgan can’t/won’t be solved?
This dropping the ball isn’t what your and my relatives fought for, died for and survived at great odds for in Virgina so we can be here in VA and American where there is just means of Justice.
Good Night all and God Bless
Personal trivia: Wished I had known Thomas Jefferson before he was married. I would have like to have dated him. Now we just read and study. Blink could bring him on here as a guest advisor.
You can’t take the “teach” out of the “teacher” OK ready? How many of you have never heard of the word “gumption
Mary- Absolutely zero offense taken. I mistyped…my bad. A good example of why I posted that. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME OUT SISTA!!! We actually share the same name!!
I had an epiphany today reading msl and other posts
First-really quick A little comic relief. What the heck is LE? I so dont know lol
1. We’re desperately wanting to help LE solve this case, pleading actually. In no way jeporadize it.
Because of their silence…we have to speculate on whether or not the investigation is being done properly etc. We hold the upmost respect for law enforcement…but frankly- there’s been so many instances in our lifetime where police simply drop the ball or miss something entirely. This scares us bc we want to find and punish those responsible for murdering Morgan & to make sure he does not strike again. Sorry law enforcement–but gone are the days where you can go silent and then simply expect the public to trust your silence as solely “to maintain integrity of the case”.
I have no doubt that this is LE’s purpose & its an admirable one…but LE u have people begging to help you find this or these people.
I am curious to know if there has ever been a large public campaign appealing to police to let them help that has ever been acknowledged and brought out more police cooporation.
PLEASE LET US HELP IN ANYWAY WE CAN. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
2. I have a couple of ideas…someone mentioned it earlier today….can we begin to start circulating our own fliers? I would be willing to contribute money to someone who is local and could print them off and post them.
3. Has anyone thought about reaching out to Metallica again? I know that they were very gracious right after she went missing and contributed 50,000 to the reward fund (I think that was it)
There are very few cases that have this many dedicated people to solving it. Let alone- one of the greatest rock bands of all time that could help increase awareness dramatically.
Maybe they could sponsor a few billboards??
I have a plan.
+** A little about me….Last 8 yrs-print ad design & sales. work w/ clients, determine the audience they neet to reach, the best avenue to do so, & determine the MSG AUDIENCE NEEDS TO GET
I AM EXCEPTIONAL AT ONE THING IN LIFE & ITS GREAT BC I DO IT BY HELPING PEOPLE AND I ADORE IT (I NEVER SELL ANYTHING THAT ISNT RIGHT FOR CUSTOMERS, PERIOD)…..its designing effective ads and selling
Why am I great/love it? I strategize wayS to get a potential customer’s attention, get a meeting with them and thus frankly getting them to do what I want them to do (in that case buy my ads)
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Main Goal: Find these scum
**********************************************************
WHAT ARE THE 3 THINGS THAT WE (US AND POLICE) NEED IN ORDER TO DO SO?
1. IMO- A witness to come forward
2. ^^^^^YA’LL TELL ME
3. ^^^^^^yall tell me
What do the HArringtons, police and us need from the public????
So for right now…..lets focus on determining EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED FROM THE PEOPLE
Once that is determined. I will explain the next steps.
I cant investigate but I rock at getting messages out to people.
Im tired so if this doesnt make alot of sense—I’ll explain further tomorrow.
But please please please think about my questions above and we will take it from there.
love
palm tree
Oh yeah it is SO ON!!!!!!
How many here who have heard parents, grandparents or great grand parents use the word “gumption”? How many of you still us it? I get into these modes of writing not so important stuff like now when my mind is reeling at the possibility of LE being in on this. I put the “LE in on it” thought back into the reeling area of the mind where the “gumption” was.. Now Gumption is out and my inner mind is working/reeling on about the LE Connection as I my outter might goes on to other thing. Bottom line Good Night All
Hope to reel in some new ideas tomorrow. So will you!
Fish- I just read ur letter right after I submitted mine. For some reason- I didnt see it before. Listen sista….that letter knock my socks off. wait I dont have socks on anyway- but it made me want to go and put socks on and do the moon walk on my hard work floor and then the spin and knee jerk. And then maybe the Elaine dance from Seinfield. You are amazing.
I will read through the letter again tomorrow (ps it is totally 4am here…told u im in this case til the end sista!!!!
I will have many more thoughts tomorrow- but as u can see Im about getting the message out to the police and the public and thinking of out of the box ways of doing so. Girl….just wait- you have no problem saying and doing what u think is right to whoever needs to hear it. We’re alot alike…but youve been putting u words together so much more brilliantly than I have. Its on its on its on
BRing it ON!!!!!
YOU KNOW THAT FISH ARE BEST FRIENDS WITH PALM TREES….WE LOVE TROPICAL WEATHER!!!
LOVE PALM: )
please don’t stop trying folks. We’re so close. I believe we ARE making a difference. Please don’t let this case just fade away. Let’s try, try again. I remember Liam shaking some people up on FB, maybe we could do more? Way back I asked Blink if we should start calling and emailing VSP. Her advice to me was, NO, let them do their jobs. Is it time now to respectfully push them? To ask them everyday, what are you doing to solve Morgan Harrington’s murder? To demand answers?
I think respectfully requesting a public update to the case, due to the fact that we know this is a repeat offender who is on the loose would not be out of line.
Underline
Respectful
B
Fish, thank you for sharing your deepest, most heartfelt thoughts and feelings with us. I’m so sorry for your Mom and all parents who have suffered this type of loss. It never goes away and changes the rest of their lives. I doubt that there is ever true joy again. On the anniversary of your Mom’s passing, I hope that you were able to rejoice that she is now with her beloved daughter and your sister, who she languished for with all her heart. Not that she didn’t love being with the rest of her dear family, but one was missing and was taken in such a cruel and unspeakable manner.
Your idea about sending letters and contacting the above list of officials is a good one and I will follow suit.
I appreciate all the hard work and research that you guys do relentlessly and I would never put anyone down for that. My own personal feeling is that we’ve gone as far as we can go with what is there to work with. We are all so hungry for answers and news that LE are getting somewhere with the investigation, but we get nothing. I know they owe us no updates, but how I wish for one. Dear Blink, can you please tell us the case is still moving along and progress is being made? I think if you can say that it is, that it will revive us with hope. I pray that the Harringtons have more than we do. My heart breaks for them. The waiting and just dealing with day to day must be nearly impossible for them. I can’t even imagine what they are going through.
Thanks Blink for your continued efforts on Morgan’s case and all the others. If you gave up, then where would their sad stories be? We have to continue to speculate some and work with what has been given or there would be nothing and I fear a cold case. That cannot happen.
Love and prayers for Dan, Gil and Alex. May justice for precious Morgan come soon.
Josie-
I will never give up on Morgan. Make no mistake, but for the grace of God, Morgan could be any of our daughters and I strongly suspect if her murderers are not caught, another set of parents will end up on Hell Island with the Harrington’s.
Do I believe the investigation is progressing? Yes.
Does my fear there will be another victim outweigh my patience? A B S O L U T E L Y.
Now, I need to ask y’all a favor.
When your child/children get home from school today, or for parents with young adults away at University- Call Them Specifically, and remind them that under no set of circumstances do they go anywhere or do anything alone.
Employ the Buddy System without exception.
B
reading fish’s last post, posted after I wrote my last post, I conclude, this board is an entity to itself. Has a mind.
Our next move is to start writing to all mentioned in fish’s post and remind them, that we’re not going away!
Fish, I only now tracked back to see your longer posts of last night. We were thinking along the same lines in our frustration, except you maintained kindness and understanding, where I let in the anger. (And am still feeling it.) I think if it was simultaneously occurring to both of us to write letters, especially to the governor, we need to do it and encourage everyone else to make voices heard. Nice to read that some of you already plan to.
Blink, respect is in order, of course, but the governor needs to take a hard look at WHO specifically is handling this case, WHAT their connections are in Albemarle, and exactly HOW they have handled every bit of it. On a larger level, he needs to examine whether we have a problem with complacency regarding unsolved murders in the Commonwealth. That has to be the governor’s charge to lead–the governor who is, I repeat, a brand-new UVa parent. He DOES have children (boys) to be thinking about in Charlottesville, and a daughter at grad school at Tech; Fish, you ask what if it was your child, and I say that is hardly rhetorical for Governor McDonnell.
By the way, I think your letter is clear and heartfelt. It is completely you, endearing and powerful, and I think you should leave it just as it is.
Onward and upward. I am over being over-courteous, and I am demanding answers.
Your absolutely right acho.
B
Perhaps the reason the sketch was not widely disseminated is because it was over five years since it was created and may not have been an accurate account. Its credence may be in question. I feel it would make more sense for LE to test the sample to obtain the ancestry of the individual and share this information with the public, that is, if LE does not already know who this person is, which they may. Obtaining the person’s exact genetic makeup could prove beneficial.
The sketch’s creedence is not in question as I have confirmed that directly with LE.
They have his ancestry from the DNA match, it is part of the result, if it is “identifying” to the suspects ID, meaning, it has specific markers that would almost point to someone, than I agree.
B
For what its worth, being a lifelong Virginia citizen, I will offer my observations about major crime in Virginia one more time. As a background, VSP mainly supports local LE, and has primary jurisdiction of crimes on state land, and in special cases.
My comment is in no way meant to disrespect the hard work, efforts and intent of the VSP, but as far as my observation goes, they are not the ones who usually solve complicated serial murders, they are the ones who patrol the highways, and also send in swat teams for immediate crimes. Such as when someone has shot someone and a swat team is needed and the local jurisdiction lacks the skillset.
As a for instance of my observations, the Montgomery Co, Maryland Police took the lead in capturing the Beltway Snipers with FBI, ATF, and VA Dept of Transportation help. The County of Arlington solved the Timothy Wilson Spencer serial murders in Richmond Va and in Arlington, by apprehending Spencer after his last crime in Arlington where his signature was very unique.
While I am not willing to criticize the VSP for a crime which has fallen into their lap, I am also not willing to watch a case go cold like so many others: the Colonial Parkway Murders –4 young couples, the RT 29 stalker who evidently claimed Alicia Showalter Reynolds, and stopped many women on RT 29 all up and down the state, while I sit back and suppose that LE has some good leads, and we really are safe after all.
No, I think this case needed a strong local police force involved from the very beginning, people who lived among the local folks, and knew their habits. Unfortunately that was not to happen. Watching the Colonial Parkway murderer get away with taking 8 lives was the last time I am going to assume that LE has things all under control, and that is why they are not releasing any information. In that case, it was a case set to go cold, with less and less VSP and FBI involvement every day, after the first year or so, and eventually became the lore of crime in this state. Sad to say.
In case I am missing a major serial murder case or other complicated homicide which the VSP has solved, I would ask the people whose attitude seems to be “let LE do its job and shut your mouth” to remind me of one. Otherwise I am going to stick with my theory that VSP needs major help in solving this crime.
I thought I read somewhere that the BBP’s who spoke with Morgan have left the area – some went to the pros and some had to leave because of grades – that was quite a while ago that I read that. It was only a few of them who spoke to Morgan, I think. They were getting in their cars to go home after a practice and perhaps she approached them seeking a ride. But I am now confused about something…did she have an extra set of car keys with her? But maybe she felt she wasn’t up to driving all that distance. It just floors me that her parents were not told anything until they were contacted about her lost purse. It just makes me want to kick something grrrrrrr!!!!!!!
Acho, Fish, Msl, IBE, Love_palm_trees, hummimgbird and all the rest who post on this site. It is time to make the next step in getting public awareness of the danger to young women because this perp or group of perps are still out there.
We must begin to demand answers. Posters and letters to appropriate people. Fish you covered the ground as did some others. This must be accomplished in a respectful manner as admonished by Blink. I believe we have the talent to get this done.
Fish, I am taking your remarks as well as those of others and looking hard at how we can use language to get something done. Emotion is ok if applied in the right manner.
In our own county, we had a break-in by some illegals from El Salvador. A man and his wife were beaten,the woman raped and valuables stolen. A telephone chain was started by one of the neighbors and quickly spread to other concerned citizens. These calls went to the county sheriff’s office. In Texas, the sheriff is an elected Law Enforcement official. Within a two week period,the sheriff recieved over 100 calls. The gist of the message was we are citizens and we are concerned about getting these people identified and jailed as soon as possible. It worked. The sheriff put extra people on the case and it was quickly solved.
I don’t know how long I can stay connected this morning. My internet service is via satellite and the tropical storm is causing rain which interfers with the signal.
I wonder if some show like Dateline could cover this case – some program that would be shown all over the US.
Just saw on the news – two VT students shot to death – Caldwell Fields Montgomery County.
MP
you gave me a heart attack, complete sentence please
B
OK-Never posted before-have lurked from the beginning, but just can’t continue to read, and not post…
The lack of information in this case is enough to drive me insane, I can only imagine what the Harrington’s are going thru, just not right no matter how you look at it. I started following this case because my youngest brother went to see Metallica the weekend after the Charlottesville concert. He is only 16, went with family, but I was still concerned. I told him to make sure he stayed with someone at all times, you know 16 year olds think they are invincible, but he did listen at least.
I don’t know why, but I just can’t get Morgan and her family out of my head. I know life is not fair and all, but come on! I was watching the VT game last night and could not stop thinking of Morgan and her poor family, no one deserves to go thru this. I could just see her there with the rest of the Tech fans, cheering for her team and having a good time, but NOOOO…the people that did this to her and her family need to be off the streets yesterday.
I am not a local, but do have a future SIL that has just recently moved to the Charlottesville area-ALONE-until another brother of mine moves up in October. I have told her over and over again not to go places alone-I fear for girls lives everywhere if this is how mean people are these days. I can”t believe this is what our world has come to. I have young children and live in a “safe” neighborhood and still can’t bring myself to let them go out alone, I keep them in my sight if they are outside.
I do not have any better theories than any of you here and I do not know that there is anything I can do from so far away, but I do pray for the Harrington’s every day. Whomever is being protected needs to get unprotected and put where he (they) belong! Gil’s word touch my inner heart, you can just feel her pain and I just want J4M.
Peace-241
I hadn’t seen this before.
They said Morgan’s case is definately NOT COLD.
if i understood correctly.
http://www2.wsls.com/news/2010/aug/16/investigators-must-assume-killer-was-wat-59189-vi-19325/
Could this be it?
Police Search for Gunman Who Allegedly Opened Fire on Girlfriend in D.C. Suburb
Published September 07, 2010
| FoxNews.com
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A manhunt is underway for Joshua Prince, who allegedly fired shots at his girlfriend before fleeing the scene in a suburb of Washington, D.C., police said Tuesday.
DEVELOPING: A manhunt is under way for a gunman who allegedly opened fire on his girlfriend with a high-powered rifle before fleeing the scene in a Washington, D.C., suburb, police said Tuesday.
Montgomery County police are searching for 32-year-old Joshua Prince, who allegedly fired at least one shot at his girlfriend at 7:15 a.m. in Bethesda, Md.
Authorities said Prince, who is considered armed and dangerous, is driving a black, 2004 Chevy Tahoe with Maryland license plate number 27992M5.
Two nearby schools — Walter Johnson High School and Tilden Middle School — were placed on lockdown as police searched the area for Prince. Ramps to and from Interstate 270 in the area remain closed.
Court records show that Prince’s girlfriend, who was not injured in the incident, filed a restraining order against him last week, WTOP.com reports.
Police are asking people to stay away from the area. They said no one should approach the suspect and should instead call 911.
Sorry – it was just a vigil for them – the two students Heidi and David. Guess I need to be put on Time-Out…..
I like what the report said, more chatter creates more leads. We are the chatter. Keep brainstorming, it’s helping!
While one side of me says that there is no Blue Wall of Silence (they are sworn to protect and serve!), we all know it does occur. Some of the issues with regard to Morgan’s case that really bother me with regard to this perceived “Wall”:
*The early reports from LE that “what occurred brfore Morgan left the arena is not important”
*no video of Morgan at JPJ
*no presser about the shirt find
*no release of sketch sketch upon discovery of the DNA link
*radio silence for nearly 1 year
*lack of sketch info anywhere, despite the link to Faifax attack.
Something smells funny here folks, and it ain’t Fish.
I think it is time to make some noise. Blink, do you know if the Harringtons are considering approaching the FBI? Private investigator? I am so angry…I can’t imagine what they must be going through.
2 4 1
I do not publish any confidential conversations with Harrington’s, or any other party in an open case, but I would definitely add the Sutherland fire mystery to your list.
B
ok, I just emailed Lt. Rader..respectfully, I told him my name and city, I told him I’m not going away until he locks up the true perpetrators, the ones responsible for Morgans murder. I wished him wisdom and Godspeed. sincerely & respectfully, as always.
George posted:
“I really think it is time for the Harringtons to request that the case be transferred to the FBI. I will gladly sign a petition to that effect…”
Bravo, George, I’ll sign with you. The long silence by LE leads the public to believe that they have moved on. Hopefully, the Harringtons are privy to what is really going on.
Everyone Keep up the good work, dedication and determination.
Questions to ponder:
Has tourism monies gone down in the Charlottesville area since Morgan was found? Is tourism money important for that area besides being a college town?
Does anyone care around there other than you on this site and a few in Charlottesville and the areas around there:
Know it has been said before but a light bulb just went off…. The Harrington’s lived in Charlottesville before so, IMO, Morgan knew the ins and outs of the area or was she too young when they lived there? I just can’t believe she didn’t know where to go after being outed from the arena. Wouldn’t she also know the areas hot spots for parties? for fun times after hours? No particular reason to ask, just pondering thoughts.
Are there any connections to those in North Garden who might have been clients of Mr. Harrington for mental areas or had contact when Morgan volunteered in the mental area? Did Morgan attend elementary school or middle school or any school in the area or have reason to be at the Bass farm for art classes, survival classes. green earthdays. A time where there’d be less people around than in a concert, sleep over. I’d be more interested in these smaller situations who was also there with Morgan.
Boy, if I were LE I’d look into survival exercises on this farm and who attended. I’d look at the elevation and from what windows, what parking area or turn off of a highway could be used to keep tabs on where she was, with and without the use of binocs.
Can’t remember if I ever received an answer about the hunting cameras that Blink mentioned might be in the immediate area.
Was that a tree house near where she was found or a hunting blind?
It has been my opinion since she first disappeared that something was fishy about this whole case and also wasn’t one of her best friends that night a daughter of a VSP member?
A girlfriend of mine who also volunteers for the American Legion Auxiliary has just returned form a two day sexual abuse conference. She is a civilian working for the AF and volunteers to help military women. Many military women who are sexually abused are intimidated, harassed, afraid to speak up, afraid of retribution and lack of promotion let along what has happened to them so silence, grin and bear it are sometimes the norm. She, being a civie, is trusted by some of the women more than counselors who are military.
Murder, this and other evils are unacceptable. It takes one step at a time to “walk the walk” to get goodness over evil. IMO still working on it at this end in my own life and environs IMO
My words: there’s a time to be kind; there’s a time to start kicking butts and rattling the cases. There’s a time to combine them all. Now is the time!
There’s a time to go to sleep, pray, think about Morgan, her family, her friends, Blink, those here. Good night all, sleep tight.
More actions tomorrow. There is a goodness, IMO, that the internet brings like this site and others. The collective intelligence, actions take on a whole new meaning.
9/11 is coming up. Gads, more evil and loss to bare and grieve for. Good side, it became “Patriot Day” so hopefully we can reflect on all the trials and tribulations it took to get, keep all Our Liberties, Freedoms.
Human dignity and happiness, to me, means the right to be living and not murdered or suffering in some way. The victim has rights to. Seems lately the criminal has more “rights” than the victim. Is this unnatural and imbalanced? Justice must be turned around.
If this means a break in the code of silence in the old boys network of LE, so be it.
Virginia don’t get the rath, negativism, money drain, bad reputation like Aruba has done by protecting at all cost their tourism over the rights of someone who lost their life. The one they protected has now shown violence again as was predicted over 5 years ago by some of us on the internet.
Trivia:
Did you know that the Salvation Army is very active and has been for generations helping women (and now men, now I guess) who are abused, in the web of sexual trafficking? Works with LE in this area too. IMO until I started way back on scared monkeys re: Natalee Holloway, I didn’t know much about trafficking other than the 405 freeway gridlock. Thought of the Salvation Army more in spreading the news of Christ, clothing, food, shelter, mental, spiritual help in disasters. They are very big into anti-trafficking and helping those to escape then survive after getting out of the trafficking.
Wonder if the local Head Officers hear of any rumors of human trafficking in Charlottesville and areas around there. They would have a ear on the ground that maybe would never be shared with LE but might be to a kindred person looking to find who killed Morgan.
Maybe, if she was kept somewhere it was part of a completion of an order via human trafficking that went bad.
When I said windows I didn’t mean the ones on the Bass farm but from windows of nearby homes or even homes way up on the ridges that would need high powered scopes, binocs, night vision to see.
Could she have been put out there to be a target of someone with sick game using a very high powered rifle with a scope and night vision.. along the lines of a sniper with a sick mind and an ATV to run after, run down and run over when sick games are over. Sort of like an over the river, through the woods and hollors (sp?),. Could any of this be filmed?
Am going to give myself bad dreams if I don’t stop this train, and I a mean choo choo train of thought as going to back dreams Hope not messing up anyone’s breakfast. Sorry
Blink, I just posted a long one and when I hit submit it went far, far away. It isn’t showing that it’s waiting, it just isn’t there at all. Maybe, some magic will occur and it will show up sometime today. Lol…If not, I’ll post again.
Sorry Josie, not here, please repost.
B