Two Years Cold-Morgan Harrington Murder: Two Women, Two Locations, Too Long
Girl In The Hayfield
Morgan Dana Harrington was the ingenue of artist and adjunct professor at Virginia Tech, Jane Lillian Vance.
She was scheduled to travel with her to Nepal in the Spring of 2010 while continuing to pursue her Education degree in her third year as a Hokie.
Morgan would not make that trip, and Vance would complete her latest work in her former students honor, last week.
With her Mother Gil’s help, albeit posthumously, Morgan is indeed educating children; the underprivileged children of Zambia. In April, 2010, Gil Harrington carried some of her beloved daughter’s ashes during the Orphan Medical Network International (OMNI) pilgrimage to Zambia. After raising donations for the Morgan Harrington Educational Wing, Morgan’s ashes were mixed with the concrete foundation of the school bearing her name.
At 5’6” , with breck-girl locks and eyes like briolette faceted tourmaline’s, Morgan was a stunning beauty.
Behind her neon smile was the burgeoning sophistication of a girl beyond her years and peers.
This gilded lily stood out.
On the grounds of the John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia while attending a Metallica concert with her friends, unfortunately, she also caught the eye of a dangerous predator. The cost of admission to the events that followed, would be her life.
Devoid of her ticket to return inside the presumed safety of the venue and old friends, Morgan scored the unwilling and unalterable ticket to the cross-hairs of a Medium Build, 6’ African American sexual sadist who has likely spent the last four years honing his skills.
“Sketch” was interrupted by a passerby during a vicious beating and sexual assault in Fairfax on September 24, 2005. His DNA is linked to both victims.
Lights, Cameras, 400 Blue Phones
According to JPJ and UVA security guidelines, all hired security must be law enforcement.
In addition to the regularly scheduled patrol assignments of UVA PD, events such as the Metallica concert required additional security posts which were hired via a security request when the date was booked. Although additional UVA officers were working the night of October 17, there has never been a statement regarding any observations from that evening on their behalf by Melissa Fielding, Investigative Lieutenant.
However, in a private meeting that included UVA PD staff, shortly after Morgan’s disappearance, an attendee speaking to www.blinkoncrime.com on the condition of anonymity, told me he heard Fielding tell someone openly that Harrington’s car never left Harrisonburg, or JMU, and that it was a different friends car that was driven to the arena and hers had been accounted for.
In response to another UVA PD staffer loudly offering that he heard that Morgan was behaving “obnoxiously” during the trip to JPJ, which resulted in a tiff between the friends and the reason she ultimately left the concert, Fielding snapped “That was still no reason to leave her.”
When pressed as to why she thought they still believed Morgan’s car was not a factor when Lt Rader of the Virginia State Police (VSP) and Dr. Harrington, Morgan’s Father, both confirmed her car was the vehicle the foursome traveled in, she repeated that information was incorrect with no further explanation. While VSP was leading the investigation at this point, it certainly still begs the question as to why the original agency tasked with her disappearance, and still assisting, would have such important misinformation circulating in an active investigation and ongoing search.
According to the Office of the Executive Vice President of UVA, UVAPD security personnel are also responsible for surveillance on grounds. The central monitoring area, which is linked to the security cameras in several lots and public areas, is located in the central parking garage. There is no information available on the storage medium of recorded footage from the cameras, and requests for information were deferred to VSP.
The University of Virginia uses technology to improve security on Grounds. University Police install video cameras in several parking lots and public areas. Additional cameras may be installed in the future. Security cameras will be connected to a central control room operated by the Police Department in the new Central Grounds Parking Garage. The purpose for using the cameras is to reduce incidents of crime while limiting the need to expand the Police Department.
VSP is not discussing the specificity of what they have or do not have regarding footage supplied by JPJ/UVA.
With the exception of course that out of everything that has “been supplied to them”, there are no images of Morgan whatsoever.
Stationed inside the arena, is UVA PD security, non-police event security run by RMC Events, security staff employed directly by Metallica, UVA facilities management personnel, and contracted vendors to both JPJ and UVA. Firemarshall, zoning, and University guidelines also require EMT attendance.
Invisible As The Web In a Spiders Belly- Marge Piercy
Morgan asked her friend and roommate Amy Melvin to accompany her to the restroom at approximately 8:20PM.
Because of an earlier spat and lingering tension, Amy declined and Morgan left her seat alone.
Earlier, Morgan attempted to diffuse the matter upon entrance to John Paul Jones Arena in a conciliatory gesture, by purchasing a Metallica T-shirt for Amy. Amy reciprocated.
When Morgan climbed between the seats to make her way to the restroom, it was the last time Amy Melvin, Sarah Snead and Dan Cassagne would see their friend alive.
Morgan’s friends treating her like a vexatious afterthought did not aid the situation in the least.
A fellow Metallica fan sitting in the general area of Morgan and her friends, whose name is being intentionally withheld as a potential witness in this case, both observed and interacted with her until she left her seat; he assumed, for a drink.
He said during the Lamb of God set, Morgan changed her seat in the middle, and characterized her as very friendly, but “erratic” and repeatedly asked he and his companions for a sip of their non-alcoholic beverages.
In his opinion, Morgan exhibited signs of being under some sort of influence, was definitely overheated and parched.
A few minutes later, another witness claimed to be online with Morgan at the concession stand where she purchased a soda.
Shortly after this exchange, Morgan is seen dabbing a wound on her chin in the ladies room. Witnesses in a different area of seating believe they saw a woman matching Morgan’s description fall on the steps to the immediate right of their seats, and was not carrying a drink at the time.
After Amy and Sarah left their seats to look for Morgan when she failed to return, Sarah phoned Morgan on her cell at 8:48PM .
Morgan was clearly upset as she told Sarah she was refused any option of re-entry by security, but did not reveal why she went outside the arena in the first place.
This account conflicts with that provided by lead investigator, Agent Dino Cappuzzo, of the Virginia State Police, who commented during last years walk through on Anchorage Farm that a ticket-taker informed Morgan she would need to repurchase a ticket in order to return to the concert after she indicated that her ticket was “in pieces at the bottom of her purse.”
Morgan had the means to purchase another ticket. What she did not have, was her red digital Kodak camera she was digging for when she first exited the arena, and not a shred of her Metallica ticket has ever been found.
Concession Confessions- The Deadly Kind
Think a concession connection is far-fetched? Tell that to Inna Budnytska.
Michael Lee Jones, former concession employee for Centerplate and then Ovations, used his position as a traveling contract food service employee to prey on his victims. Mr. Jones worked at a ball field in Norfolk, VA for 12 years.
While it is assumed any other reported assaults with a DNA sample he was involved with would come to light, 84% of stranger rapes go unreported statistically speaking, there are likely unreported assaults.
Jones has no known direct connection to Morgan’s case, but the parallel of access to grounds in some of his crimes and therefore victims at the venue he was working, is investigative 101.
Without the tenacity of retired Long Island cop turned- investigator Ken Brennan, and the equal ability to be open to civilian assistance by Miami Detective Allen Foote, Jones would be free right now.
Mike Jones would not have been caught in this case, or the other cases, and would likely have raped and assaulted other victims.
Unlike Inna’s case, without the benefit of video in Morgan Harrington’s disappearance, witness accounts of her time and movement throughout the JPJ arena and subsequent grounds make witness interviews invaluable.
It is abundantly clear that VSP, profiling experts and analysis of the topography of the700 acre Anchorage Farm indicate whoever is responsible for placing Morgan there, was intimately familiar with the property.
In fact, Lt. Joseph Rader, believes her recovery location as chosen by her killer, is the “most important aspect of this investigation… People of North Garden, this will mean something to you.” ”
People in the Anchorage Farm area, you know what goes on there, you know the history,” said Rader. “You know who comes in and out of the vicinity and you might not realize it but you probably have some information for us that you don’t even think is important.”
In an earlier article, published shortly after Harrington’s remains were found, we reported the most recent activity of the land and it’s owners David and Nancy Bass. During the time of Morgan’s disappearance, the farm house, or the home on the Va historical register occupied at the time by the Bass’s daughter Jenny, was undergoing renovations to its hvac.
A carpenter working for Mr. Bass during the Summer of 2009 recalled stopping a black male driving a black jeep on the back of the Bass property and was told he was David Bass’s brother.
While the farm’s renovations, rezoning and subsequent withdrawal from a previous taxation commitment was compelling reading, it did not produce any leads and The Bass family did not recognize the image of sketch when shown in July 2010. Perhaps the historic property needed more history.
Time For Loud- Not Enshroud
If Anchorage Farm holds the key to revealing Morgan’s killer or killers, what other secrets does it hold?
Plenty, and they lead right back to a time in Virginia history that rips the scab off of a fairly fresh wound for many generations, and back to The University of Virginia.
In the 1740’s, Albemarle county, which was formed from Goochland and Louisa counties, was a vast frontier largely owned by Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson’s father, and Col. Charles Lewis, brother of Robert, grandfather of Meriwether Lewis.
Courtesy of Legends Of Lewis
The men opened two plantations near each other, and produced three generations of one or more first cousin marriages between the two families.
Both families amassed great wealth over the years through slaves and land, but as the eighteenth century drew to a close, through a series of farming failures and poor plantation oversight, the Lewis family fell on extremely hard times.
Charles Lewis sold everything he had with the exception of the North Garden property which he gave to sons Randolph, Lilburne and Isham.
The Lewis plantation later named Anchorage Farm by the White family, would remain with Lewis family members through 1846.
In 1808, with looming debt, resentful neighbors and and little cash to parleigh into prospects, Lilburne and Randolph decided to immigrate to Kentucky, the popular new destination for those in crisis, leaving Isham, and a few aunts to toil what is now known as Anchorage Farm.
With remaining slaves in tow, the Lewis family traveled by barge to their new home “ Rocky Hill”.
Three family members would die in the first eighteen months, and the worst was yet to come.
In the Fall of 1808, Isham Lewis traveled to Rocky Hill to pay his respects to his recently deceased older brother Randolf, announcing his plans for an indefinite stay.
Isham was widely known for his less than gentlemanly status and his reunion with brother Lilburne, who by this time had spiraled into a deep depression treated with ardent spirits.
Thomas Jefferson’s nephews Isham and Lilburne forged the unholy alliance that would eliminate the possibility of a Lewis dynasty in Kentucky, forever.
The fuse igniting the transformation of Rocky Hill to Rocky Horror was lit.
A teenage slave named George, who traveled with the Lewis family from Albemarle three years earlier, ran off for a few days in December allegedly due to Lilburne’s treatment of him.
Fueling the alcoholism and depression, Lilburne’s new wife Letitia Griffin Lewis was pregnant with James Griffin Lewis, the couple’s first child together.
On December 15, 1811 George was asked by Lilburne to fetch a pitcher of water believed to belong to his beloved Mother Lucy. He broke it and returned to the plantation, met by the homicidal rage of the Lewis brothers while all the slaves were made to bear witness, lest they had any ideas such behaviors would be tolerated.
Lilburne and Isham drug young George to the main house, gathered all the slaves to watch, and Lilburne buried an axe in George’s neck to the horror of all.
He ordered another slave to dismember him and threatened all that If anyone had any similar notions to his, they would receive a duplicate fate.
Fate, in fact, would make an appearance shortly in the form of an earthquake, which made George’s remains accessible to the family dog, ultimately discovered by a neighbor and reported to police.
Isham and Lilburne were indicted and freed on bond. The brothers formed a suicide pact and headed for the Rocky Hill cemetery where Lilburne ended up shooting himself in the chest while showing Isham how to release the flint lock.
Isham fled only to be captured a few days later and jailed for assisting in his brothers suicide.
Letitia, now a widow, fled Kentucky in fear with her newborn son.
Mysteriously, Isham garnered his freedom anyway, through an assisted jail-break.
He disappeared, was believed to live under an alias, marry and was allegedly killed in the battle of New Orleans in 1815.
His remains were never positively identified.
Brother to Dragons, indeed.
In his eventual biography of Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson eluded to the explorer and Governor of Louisiana’s familial afflictions with mental illness following his suicide. A memoir of an escaped slave, written by Francis Frederick, is believed to depict the treatment of the slaves owned by Thomas Jefferson Randolph, with whom Thomas Jefferson and family resided and attended the adjacent school as a child.
In this period, Virginia was the largest destination for slaves from the Bight of Biafra on the West side of the African coast, and the natives spoke patois.
The extended Lewis family owned plantations on Buck Island, Red Hill Depot, and Monteagle, which is believed to be the former name of the Lewis Plantation.
Committed at a time and place where it was illegal to murder a slave, George’s story is definitely an anomaly due to the horrific murder becoming known publicly.
Thomas Jefferson is believed to have owned about 200 slaves; a combination of in inheritance from his Father Peter, his wife’s very prominent family the Rudolphs, and through sale.
His father Peter and he were also very close to the William Cabell family of Tuckahoe, one of the largest slave owners in Albemarle, and relatives of Samuel Cabell, murdered for “taking up” with a former slave and living openly with her and their children.
Could the current Albemarle descendants from either side of the family tree shed any light on family legends that might lead sketch to dump Morgan Harrington’s remains on the former Lewis plantation? Have they even been asked?
There is no shortage of information today about slave masters and plantation owners producing offspring of mixed race.
In the case of Morgan Harrington’s murder, there is a forensic DNA link to an African American male, also linked to a brutal rape and assault years earlier, who by VSP’s own confirmation, possesses the navigational prowess of an individual who was comfortable traversing an area of the farm unreachable by vehicle as much as 1000 feet away, in the dark. He is local, period.
Is the paradox of Morgan’s recovery in the hollows of a historic slave plantation while her legacy enriches the lives of African children that will gain educational opportunities previously not possible, in her honor, be enough to stimulate the concscious of someone who has the answers?
To be continued: Morgan Harrington Murder Part II: Two Years Cold- Two Women, Two Locations, Too Long.
*Investigative Analysis of Morgan’s last known activity in the lot of JPJ and Copely Bridge
*Independent investigation of adherence to UVA/JPJ background policy for employees and contractors
*Investigative Analysis of new evidence
Contributing Editors: Jason Mateos, Jacqueline Beaufort, Madeline Tanner, Klaasend
Image Credits: Harrington Family, As Credited.
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why would you think thomas kody being a walk on basketball player in 2009 was coincidental. He is not sketch, nor is his dad or any other relative — unless the sketch is even more useless than most people think it is. No idea if his dad played at UVA or not, but why would it matter? He was a walk on — not on scholarship — essentially a practice player. He probably either left the team or was replaced with a better walk on. His coach did not go to UVA and also does not resemble sketch in the same way kody and his dad don’t.
I wouldn’t stop your research just because people here say it was security. They have no idea who it was (and the guy most of them think looks like sketch, doesn’t other than his skin color). Your hunches are as valid as theirs. The hoops players were apparently thoroughly vetted by the police and can account for their whereabouts but don’t let that stop your work if you think you have something.
http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=88842&SPID=10616&DB_OEM_ID=17800&ATCLID=204774868&Q_SEASON=2009
To clarify from my perspective, it is my opinion that a person or persons in security may have a role overall in the incidents leading to what happened to Morgan, or her placement at AF. I have never said that it is my distinct belief that ultimately a person in security is responsible for her death.
Yes, I agree there are several on here that believe it is a security person, that is folks entitled to an opinion, perhaps brought on by my coverage of the fact that Rod Howard got a pass on a sex charge to have a license in VA, or the pending civil lawsuit, currently only named v RMC Events. UVA has had, as many higher learning institutions, a problem with sexual assaults on and off grounds and I am still stymied as to how a person that has actually committed a similar crime in their past can be approved to protect anyone from it.
That really has to matter everyone. If Morgan’s killer is not arrested, it does not negate the responsibility to make environments safer for others based on our knowledge and understanding of those with current access, with any hope, saving the next girl.
In fact, to my knowledge, the only accusation I have made directly, is that I BELIEVE that the person responsible for Morgan Harrington’s murder is connected to JPJ/UVA as an employee directly, or as a contracted employee through a vendor source with access, and I continue that assertion.
B
Thank you for the commentary of late I am still here reading everyday and hoping and praying that Morgan will have justice. The wheels turn very slowly I am afraid but the law suit should bring many unanswered questions to light.
Peace and courage to the Harringtons’ in this holiday season.
Shout out to Blink.
Blink, I believe I have one stuck in moderation from this morning. Thanks.
Briefly, I just replied to MsL that I never said TK’s father was Sketch. I also apologized to Mom3.0 for being petty in an earlier post. It’s the possible associations (employees or friends of TK Sr or the coach) that could be interesting, not that I think TK is in any way responsible for what happened to Morgan.
“After all, she wanted a ride somewhere that LE won’t identify.”
hmmmm
So, she was walking around asking various people to take her to a particular location and LE is keeping that card close to their chest ??
What kind of nonsense is that ? LE has nothing and they continue to produce nothing of value.
It is not public knowledge how many people Morgan asked for a ride. Could have been the entire basketball team plus others, or could have been only 1 or 2 team members. Regardless, the very real possibility exists that Morgan conversed with her killer before she realized she was in terrible danger. Part of that conversation could have included her destination. Even if it takes 20 years, one single comment to the wrong person about knowing her where she wanted to go could be what hangs this predator. I agree, LE has very little to go on, I do not believe they should make everything they know public knowledge.
Could Morgan have gotten a ride to the destination where she wanted only to be assaulted by someone at that destination? Else why keep it such a big secret?
I know what the bball players told LE. Obviously Morgan is not able to verify or discredit that account, so I choose not to repeat it, as to my knowledge, LE does not believe it has any bearing on the case with the exception that it solidifies her physical condition during the exchange, confirms her presence in the lot, and establishes verifiable timeline.
Your question however, is entirely fair.
B
MsL again you make a sensible point. And again I wonder if it will advance or stall the case to discuss EVERYTHING openly. Even if the killer is found not guilty because of our open discussion at least he will never do it again because he got caught and his DNA is on file!
Too bad the Hook comment section stopped suddenly because it wasgetting interesting, even being the most commented section. There was no warning that comments were blocked. Its strange imo. there are opposing forces that seek to identify people openly discussing everyone even remotely involved.
This is exactely the venom that anti debate/speculation/discussing lawyers will point at, it paralyzes public discussion imo.
If we take the saying ‘turning every stone’ it basically means a lot of unrest but it could be worth it. LE is walking on egg shells in this respect and Blink following an admirable route. What kind of crimeblog would reject discussion, speculation or tips?
As far as the holy superstar BBP are concerned we recentely saw that noone is above suspicion. The walk back to JPJ-UHAUL and back to the athlete lot could be connected to a promise to re enter JPJ…or not. We don t know perhaps that destination has an answer in it for us.
Honestly what can we do to prevent this case from disappearing like Morgan did? And like the chief researcher did? However you look at it that was not good.
Very simply stated:
1.security
2.BBP
3. random killer that drove by after Morgan dumped all her earthly belongings, things that were the bare thread that could help communicate with the outside world or even buy a warm cup of coffee or a taxi.
The speculations are not so outrageous as hurt people might suggest and I do appreciate staunch supporters of the innocent but I ask you this: Is there any cause more worthy of that terrible personal turmoil? We are trying to catch a murdering rapist. Not just for Morgan.
You will see that more information will lead to good results, that is my idea.
I flatly refuse to read any publication that allows anonymous, unmoderated, unrelated malicious garble to clog the drains so the septic congeals in the foyer. Strongly worded? No way. The Hook has done some impressive work and the moment they allow that soup-sandwich convention for a handful of comments they do not normally get in participation, it is like an invitation to the batshit reunion, and frankly, has driven away interest and advocacy for Morgan’s case in droves.
As you are aware, a few have tried that nonsense here, they have been dealt with accordingly.
It is my sincere hope that any loon that wishes to feign someone’s identity, background and even property ownership thinking they can do so while harassing folks on the web, think it through- when you least expect it, it will bite you in the ass.
Not sure what you meant by BBP or chief researcher?
B
I do not trust LE in this case.
They have been handed a lot of information and a body.
Not to mention DNA.
The Harrintons should not have to sue for info.. This is absurd.
For LE to be silent? Like they are working on it..just waiting for the next lead !! After this much time to process info shows a level of incompetence that is upsetting in my opinion.
LE has made this a cold case.
http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Harringtons_Take_Steps_to_Save_the_Next_Girl_at_Parade_134966048.html
Harringtons Take Steps to Save the Next Girl at Parade
http://www.readthehook.com/88650/hes-still-here-and-other-revelations-harrington-case
This makes it sound like sketch was a random happen to be driving by at the time, crime of opportunity, since LE checked everyone and ruled them all out.
Thanks for the Hook link alexandra. I kept the Hook link on my browser list for months, reading each day any articles and the many comments. There are some who post on that site that IMO make it less than desirable. They need better moderation.
If this case was to be soloved, it would have made big progress early in the investigation. The real problem is that LE did not perform proper searches and I sincerly believe they lack the will to really solve it. It takes a lot of boots on the ground to get the answers.
In addition, LE failed to keep the public in the loop. A very big and costly mistake. I am certain that the killer or killers have committed other crimes in the area. One of the things that has been in the back of my mind is that “Sketch” is attached to a diplomatic mission and is being protected.
I still believe that Morgans destination was a party somewhere in the area. I don’t believe “Sketch” gets into the scene at first. There are some people IMO at UVA that are not being truthful and by doing this, have impeeded the investigation to the point it has become a cold case.
Hi Blink, any choice you make or even lack of a choice will come back to haunt or bless you. Appreciate your rationale tho its good to keep that in mind. When I read about the actions of some self proclaimed ‘investigators’ that reminded me of a witch hunt. We have to keep faith in LE.
There is one more thing I thought of, the tshirt finding place could be intended to be somewhat of a distance from where it was actually found. Cant imagine someone draping it on a bush, more likely it was maybe thrown from a car at the intended place yet hurled by the movement maybe a hundred yards further.
Well lastly I wish everyone a safe and blessed holiday season
The shirt was definitely draped on the bush, not thrown.
B
Hello All . Tonight Investigation Discovery Channel (I.D.) will be airing the show about Morgan’s case on “Disappeared” titled “Heavy Metal Mystery “. Check for your local air times . Either 7 pm or 8 pm here in Alabama & then once more around midnight.
oh my goodness alabamamom I logged on, saw your post, turned the TV on, and it was 7:59, show starting at 8:00 – watching it now. Thank you.
Impressions during viewing of Disappeared on 12/5/2011
*VSP took over investigation on Monday 10/19
*Over 100 people were interviewed within the first 3 days of the VSP investigation
*No video relevant to Morgan that VSP is aware of
*Unusually large reward offered
*Rader says “we don’t know what happened inside arena” (paraphrase)
*Extensive searches, even “covert” searches come up empty
*Dec 16th – investigators stopped searching
*Parents continue to engage media…”story took on a life of its own” per Dan Harrington
*The Hook/Courtney Stewart begins investigation
*information session for volunteers – woman stood up and said “I saw her”
*Norma Parson – 3:45 a.m. – opening to the West Lawn – she was just standing there – tall, blonde, hair stuck inside of jacket – I noticed she had all black on. 3 white males walking with her. “I looked her dead in the face”. The next morning after seeing picture of missing girl “I saw her”.
*Rader – lawn investigation checked out more than once; bloodhounds. “We have not discarded that information. That could come into play later on”.
Courtney Stewart: “I followed up on it” Student in that room disavowed, suggested it was wedding reception.
Norma Parsons’ story has “eerie similarity” to another witness (the bookkeeper) ‘girl looked wobbly; wondered why the girl walking away from arena.
*November 11, 2009 – VSP gets a call – Charlottesville PD recovered t-shirt…(on the 5th maybe?)
More after commercial
*t-shirt found 2 miles from JPJA.
*Rader: “we had searched there before”…human hairs recovered…determined through mitochondrial DNA testing that it is in fact Morgan’s shirt. No other clues found. Other interviews conducted of persons living in or moving within that area.
*January 26, 2010: Farmer Bass comes sees clothing and jewelry on what he at first thought was a deer carcass.
*Harringtons notified by media
While commercial is on I’d like to comment that I just got my first smart phone and one of the first things I did was download the Google Sky Map and it is the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.
I’m sorry to be a blog hog tonight but just hoping to spark some discussion.
I was struck this time by the distance between the shirt find and JPJA. In my mind I thought it was closer. Two miles in a city is a long way away I would think.
*Morgan last seen hitchhiking on Copeley Street bridge outside JPJA in Charlottesvfille, now found on Anchorage Farm
*Missing persons case now officially a homicide investigation
*”Location is very remote”; Perpetrator must know intricacies of land per Rader.
*Connection made to 2005 Fairfax, VA rape. 10 pm; victim walking home from grocery store. Victim fought back – police obtained DNA.
*”Morgan came into contact with a person who has already been in the unknown subject database for Virginia” – Rader
*Still a “monumental amount of work” needed to be done
I’ve been pondering the timeline problems. If I am remembering correctly, Morgan is seen on the bridge at 9:30pm and her cell phone also looses it’s battery at around the same time, however the cell phone is not found on the bridge but in the parking lot. Is it possible that she left it on the roof or the trunk of one of the cars that she was standing beside talking to the BBPlayers, and when they drove out of the lot the cell phone fell off the car and smashed on the ground?
IF that could be so, then that would mean one of the cars of BBPlayers left later than the rest. Does anyone think this is a possibility other than me? Blink?
If the shirt was draped that means someone on foot took the time and risking discovery, put it there. maybe after finding it on the pavement? In that case it could still be thrown from a car at first and draped maybe days later.
There may be more such locations but the evidence (jewellery fo example ) was not given to LE or it would be known (i think not sure about information policy). Its very interesting that noone seems to think Morgan was ever actually where the tshirt was found.
So the killers plan failed (which was implicating the location/residents? The bigger question is if this shirt was meant to be found why was there damning DNA on it?
In any case this seems not in line with random acts from an opportunistic predator.
The other problem, the HH and the items supposedly left behind volunteerly and the timesline:
some possibilities to that problem
- Someone offered go ahead to the bridge I ll pick you up there: is that realistic? I think not, why not go to the car of the person offering a ride parked closeby at the rvlot.
-Morgan thought I ll get a ride HH on the bridge, its unlikely but it happened there are many witnesses but the question is did she really leave all her stuff behind?
-the very reason she ran of was a stalker he even followed her to the bridge where she hitchhiked but she started to return to JPJ after spotting him/them and they attacked in the rv lot, i think not it would draw too much attention?
-someone picked her up at the bridge and much later that night dumped her items in the lot, most likely imo. In fact I think they did a lot of post crime evidence destroying and trying to mislead by placing the tshirt etc and who knows what else.
hi Questioner, an abductor first action would be to disable communications /the mobile phone/ the timing of its stopping to work is too similar to the minutes when Morgan was last seen.
YET there is always coincidences but the most obvious reason for her phone to stop working would be the fact that a criminal disabled the phone immediately before/after/during seizing her
I remember reading the explanation ‘it did that before, batteries falling out’. The timing makes that unlikely imo.
Blink Says:
I BELIEVE that the person responsible for Morgan Harrington’s murder is connected to JPJ/UVA as an employee directly, or as a contracted employee through a vendor source with access, and I continue that assertion.
—————————-
I can’t say I disagree Blink, but my feeling is that the more time that passes, this setting grows more improbable. It is difficult for me to fathom that the degree of separation between UVA/JPJ and her killer is so minute, based primarily on the fact that this investigation is over two years old. A connection so close, IMO, would have produced results by this point. That is, if you believe the investigation is capable of producing, as it appears to be cloaked in a bureaucratic mess.
I do agree that her killer blended incredibly well into the area, would not have seemed “out-of-sorts”, and was successfully able to conceal her abduction, either through tactful/legitimate means, or by masked force in a secluded area.
The issue is, if this was a joint effort, with more than one individual involved, the time frame each player entered/exited will be nearly impossible for LE to determine based on the current known course of events. They could be looking for a specific individual (such as Sketch), in one specific area, not knowing when exactly he may have come into the picture, or his connection to the other individuals/places. This scenario takes the whole context out of a case, like trying to find a light switch in a dark room without being able to feel; these cases prove to be the most difficult cases to solve. I believe we are more than likely here in this investigation.
We agree Cat, as in, it is entirely possible one is connected to JPJ and NOT AF and vice versa.
However, keep in mind that the connection to sketch was not known until June 2010 and Morgan was not found until January 2010 and if we are to believe LE, they were relegated to figuring out who was on on grounds that night by a very small amount of witnesses. I can tell you as an absolute fact that LE was dumbfounded when the DNA came back, I heard that from 3 different sources in 3 different agencies.
So what changes in personnel occurs from October thru January and then again over the summer that might indicate a link?
We are talking a room with no light switch now, just the notion there may be one.
B
Amy Says:
someone picked her up at the bridge and much later that night dumped her items in the lot, most likely imo. In fact I think they did a lot of post crime evidence destroying and trying to mislead by placing the tshirt etc and who knows what else.
———————–
I agree with you to a point, primarily on the superficial notion that the purse, if discarded around 9:30, would have more than likely have been found/ransacked prior to the Lacrosse Players locating it in the morning. What does not make sense is why would her murderers dump the purse at the scene of the abduction, leaving critical evidence that could be linked back to them by a witness? Why not dump it at 7-11 or something, or throw it in the trash? Perhaps, if it was dumped, the person(s) were trying to implicate someone specific in the abduction, the real culprits entering the scene at a later time. Or, she simply dropped her purse/or was forced to drop it at that spot and the likely event that it was not found that evening occurred.
They dumped her purse there to keep the disappearance in the jurisdiction of UVA PD and where they could keep an eye on it peripherally, and perhaps because the person (s) assumed they would be questioned as to coming in contact with her, and to start the clock.
We know the shirt is displayed the day after an internal announcement that LRC is conducting a search, and the day after a LE search in Pantops- He is aware of what is going on in the case, and he knows he is smarter than most- for a while.
What will ultimately catch him is an old adage used by most of my friends, lol.
Never shit where you eat. He did.
B
The only explanation I can see for the missing battery, if it was not removed by Morgan’s killer, would be that she actually used one of the porta-potties and the battery fell into the waste chamber. I guess it is possible the battery could have fallen out of her phone and was cleaned up with concert debris early Sunday morning before anyone was aware that Morgan was missing. Her purse and phone were found Sunday morning and dropped in a lost and found receptacle at U-Hall and the finder(s,) member(s) of the men’s lacrosse team, then boarded a bus for West Point. A clean-up crew would not have been aware of the find, and possibly could have scooped up a battery pack with other debris without even seeing it.
The reason I came back to post was the article I am about to link which addresses the unreliability of eyewitness identifications and descriptions.
http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Court_Exonerates_Va_Man_Wrongly_Convicted_in_Rapes_135116528.html
maybe the killer just tossed the phone out the car window within a minute of taking her?
The phone components were not found together and the battery not at all. Additionally, that would mean she was abducted from the lot, not the bridge.
B
Excellent points Blink re the purse being left on UVA grounds so that if who ever dumped it was somehow affiliated with UVA, they could keep an eye and an ear on UVAPDs’ investigation.
Same with the timely and strategic placement of the shirt the night before the” internal” planned search of the area near AF, to throw off the direction of the search, or to issue a warning to someone implicated in some way to keep quiet. It WAS Morgans’ shirt as it had her hair on it. From what I have read Sketchs’ DNA was also on it. So WHY would Sketch leave it and further incriminate himself?
If not a brazen taunt, or red herring by Sketch, then possibly someone else involved in the crime, warning that they would incriminate him, or other perps unless they kept quiet. Sort of “I have evidence that incriminates you, and I will take you down with me, if you or anyone close to you incriminates me or mine in any way.” All of these kinds of premeditated actions do not appear to me to be that of a random passing by predator, or a single acting alone perp. Also somebody who was involved in the crime or knew someone involved obviously lives in the area, as the shirt appeared quite a while after the murder and before Morgans body was found.
This sounds more like a seasoned, experienced predator, whose violent impulsive nature got the better of him that night when a vulnerable,and very striking young female victim happened into his sights. Let us not forget by all accounts and by pre death bone bruising, Morgan appears to have been tortured before she died. This is a sadistic act, even more horrific and premeditated than quickly grabbing, incapacitating, beating and raping someone, like Sketch did in Fairfax, with the intent of perhaps later or on the spot, murdering his victim. Torture would have taken some time, like a cat with a mouse, and so would have required being under cover, or out of sight, either at AF in the dark cold field, in a van, or in a room somewhere. This would also have meant that the perp if he was on the clock work wise would have been missing a good while i.m.o.
Why would Sketch out himself with the shirt?
Who on the inside of the investigation has ties to Sketch?
Why were the purse and phone found strewn across the parking lot on UVA grounds and Morgan conveniently abducted on the bridge just “off” UVA grounds?
Who stands to gain from this confusing set of circumstances, this smoke and mirrors besides the murderer himself?
Cat you make a lot of good points, also Hummingbird and Blink. Lets look closer at the possible reasons for the choosing the locations.
I agree dumping Morgan s personal belongings is a huge risk only taken if the perps had to go that way anyway and wanted the trail to end where it started and made sure there were no prints etc. It would be interesting to see if the items were cleaned?
Maybe they had a car left that needed to be picked up? Or even some official business? Anyway you r right very risky. The battery not being found tells me that it could still be in the car they kidnapped her with. There is at least one other crime scene where they took her life. Also a battery could still be found somewhere as well as the necklace maybe someone comes forward still with more information. Its important to keep talking about the investigation. IMO the tshirt finding should have been widely publicized.
Maybe Sketch is not even alive, the source of the DNA would be interesting as would the fact if the same DNA was found on or near the body. Or a 3d persons DNA etc.
Hummingbird: Instead of the killer dragging sketch down with them it would be the opposite if Sketch ever gets found he will automatically unravel most, if not all of this case. Which cynically makes me believe they made sure he will never be found (if the shirt was displayed and not thrown out by sketch). Keep an open mind this is just one scenario concerning very well connected people which I admit makes it generally unplausible. It still could be Sketch=killer
But would Morgan get in a car with him?
Our focus on what happened from leaving JPJ up to the BBP interaction becomes sharper each month just by pondering every detail. By now its almost opposite of what was initially reported, here is what I conclude now:
Morgan left JPJ injured after a fall without her car keys or a coat and it was very cold and rainy almost impossible to stay out for long. yet all she wanted to do was re enter immediately ther is no sign there was anything outside of the arena or it would have been mentioned. This was refused and lead to arguments, shouting etc.
Morgan sought out help very selectively from people she thought she could trust and were in a position to help her out she refused offers for help from people she did not want help from.
She chose a middle aged man to ask for an escort inside, security to plead with, her friends and an undisclosed person by phone and superstar UVA BBPs and coaches to interact with. She walks with BIB across the parkinglot again to JPJ trying to re enter (speculation) desperation was growing yet they felt no need for concern.
The interaction was not limited as being reported, she asked of them the most personal of questions: ‘ can you help me’ can you drive me to safety’ drive me to X .
obviously that never happened and there is the disconnect or phasing out of information starts. It absolutely makes no sense.
The fact remains she was seen hitchhiking, a total opposite from seeking help from authority figures.
Also she cannot been on the bridge long which is strange as not only is it risky to hitchhike its even more riskier to pick up a hitchhiker. For a random driver Morgan could have had an accomplice hiding or try to car jack them, these days noone hardly picks up hitchhikers at night too many stories. Probably why the dad and daughter didnt stop (unfortunately)
Now it occurs to me that Morgan did not hitchhike randomly but chose again the dad and daughter (if they drove slowely enough to see) cause she trusted it.
That would at least be congruent with her more responsible behavior at JPJ grounds.
@Amy
What do you mean Morgan chose the dad and daughter?
@ B….I think BBP = basketball players.
If the killer/s were security, you’d think someone employed by the venue would have connected the dots by now. Who worked security the night Morgan disappeared that resembles the sketch? If this is true, LE must be closer than we think, no?
If the answer lies @ JPJ, why haven’t personel been scoured by LE’s investigation? What am I missing?????
hi Blink
I mean in line with previously behavior/choosing who to ask help from maybe her ‘ hitchhiking’ or sticking a thumb out was only done when she saw a car coming with passengers that looked trustworthy. This is what the witnesses saw. Its just speculation because more likely its hard to see who is in a car passing by altho on that bridge cars would naturally have to slow down a bit.
Also its a dangerous spot for a criminal to pick up someone as to the many possible witnesses.
Obviously somebody is lying. There is no way that Morgan could have been in the RV lot and on the bridge at the same time. Either the basketball players are lying or the father/daughter duo are. And please don’t give me any crap about ‘times could be off a few minutes blah-blah-blah’ yes…times ARE off. From the very beginning the story was that the basketball players left at around 9:20 and Morgan was still in the lot. Alone. But the father/daughter duo – I missed that that was Maggie Voth – saw her at 9:20 on the bridge, hitchhiking. But wait…her purse and phone are scattered around the last place she is seen talking to any human being…And her phone’s battery is removed at 9:30 p.m. And we’re supposed to believe that is random? There is no way on God’s green earth that all 14 basketball players and any coaches, managers, family members, etc left the RV lot a la “beam me up Scotty” at exactly 9:20 pm. And there is no way on God’s green earth they all turned out of the lot going the same direction, away from the bridge. I believe in teamwork but that’s a little weird. That’s the same reason I don’t believe they all were headed to the same “event”. The Saturday night practice was actually the 2nd practice of the new season. They practiced Friday night, were in the weight room on Saturday morning and then had practice again Saturday night. It was family weekend. For goodness sakes I would think they would be given a little free time after 9:00 pm on Saturday night. Sure, many of them were headed to the same place. But not all. So come on, let’s dispense with the BS about “they had another event to attend”. All that means is that their alibis all check out.
I used to feel real bad about suspecting any member of the athletic community at UVA, or any type of cover up by the administration of a revered university or of law enforcement in a celebrated community…until this Penn State crap.
fwiw, I personally do not feel that the father/daughter is lying. I feel strongly that the canine result being relied upon as a corroborator is absolutely bogus, and a quick check of the canine’s age, training and certifications would prove that. As far as the bball players, according to their accounts, they left before her.
It is my opinion if Morgan was on the bridge hitchiking, I am at a loss as to how they saw the front of her tshirt as they saw her going into the campus. If they are saying she was hitchiking into traffic- does that infer that she was looking for a ride to take her 100 yards backward?
Does make sense to anyone? It continues to defy logic VSP is so set that she got into a random vehicle, when she was now without a phone, purse, coat or bag, after refusing all assistance minutes earlier.
O, and don’t forget the MO of sketch. It does not include a drive by.. Hey, you need a ride?
B
Blink – What Amy just said about choosing the dad and daughter. This is something that has gone thru my mind as well, it’s possible to me that someone spooked her in the RV lot and she ran up the little hill onto the bridge, and when she saw the dad and daughter drive by, THEN put her thumb out to hitchhike. Which is why I’ve wondered if she left her cell phone on top of a vehicle that pulled out of the lot, and she forgot where she put it, was standing beside the fence looking thru her purse for it. At that point if she was spooked and just ran onto the bridge, she could have at that point just abandoned her purse.
I have often wondered if the VSP asked the Harringtons to make up the story about Morgan’s cell phone battery being easy to fall out of her phone. Two years ago only two types of people generally knew that cell phones could be traced even when switched off: drug dealers and law enforcement. It is just too much of a coincidence that her phone lost signal at the most critical point of the night.
Also it would seem that an FBI profiler could make one set of assumptions with the Anchorage Farm evidence, another set of assumptions about the location and placement of the T-shirt, and a third set of assumptions on the items found (and not found) in the parking lot. A forth location of where Morgan was actually assaulted could yield yet another set of educated opinions by the profiler and maybe some additional physical evidence as well. I think that location might well be where the Albemarle County Sheriff’s department had their extra-marital affairs, but that location is also a “double-dark” secret. To be withheld from the public at all costs. Lest someone actually nail the animal that did this.
FWIW my impression of what Amy meant, was that Morgan now, for some unknown reason standing on the bridge with out a handbag ( however it was a back pack and may not have been visible at that point or could have been already “strewn” about the parking lot )…that Morgan having taken herself to the bridge and in some kind of trouble, may have seen the “father daughter “couple and being in some sort of danger or distress and feeling safe at their appearance stuck out her thumb for a ride.
The father did say she did not look to be in any particular distress and looked eerie in the cold misty rainy night with her long blonde hair.
I have to say that that vision alone would suggest to me a girl alone and in dire circumstances, whether she appeared calm or not. Morgan was definitely a damsel in some kind of distress to be out there alone, lightly dressed, in such harsh weather, and at that time of night.I can also see why so called respectable people might be afraid to stop, in case it was some sort of criminal attempt to lure them. But yet another sad sad chapter in the never ending set of unfortunate incidents in Morgans’ final night on this earth where everyone around her failed her. Once outside of the arena and denied re entry she became separated from the pack in a fragile state and an easy target for a predator. Makes my blood boil, makes me feel so incredibly sad.
Hi Blink I didnt want to sound mean to the people not picking up Morgan hitchhiking its understandable and wise and vigilant not to pick up strangers that hitchhike. In the beginning we thought she may have been flagging down cars but that was not the case. So there was no fear?
But that whole night was about good people not doing the right thing and bad people stalked their prey.
All I am trying to say is that instead of a reckless drunken irrational girl she maybe acted wisely given the circumstances. In fact it may be her refusal of ‘help’ from the bad people that made the abductors use force in the rv lot or bridge.
Also if Sketch was solo and driving and picking up Morgan it would be very hard to stop, make her get in the car, subdue her and disable her phone only by himself.
Asking her friends to come outside or call a cab or 9 1 1 would have been the best thing in hindsight sigh
Shots fired at VT again today. White male with a backpack is all the news is saying at this point. I pray everyone is safe.
If she was drugged, she was out of her mind. So logic may have been non existant at that moment.
The perp takes her phone in the parking lot and takes the battery out..taunting her.. He asks her questions and is searching through her things.. She senses danger and fears him.
Morgan makes a run for it with nothing more then the clothes on her back and desperately seeks a ride by hitchiking.. This is where she is witnessed.
This is why it is important for her friends to speak up about drugs or where Morgan may have gotten drugs. Because it appears she was drugged and not thinking proper from most witness accounts..
What if it was a cop who stopped her in the parking lot. A person with access to other crimes, evidence and dna.
But there should have been witness to this and is why I discount it.
Virginia Tech On Lockdown After 2 Killed
http://www.wpxi.com/news/29953174/detail.html
Prayers…..
Questioner, Hummingbird and Edward, All good posts above….I am seeing more clearly now.
Yes, it is hard to believe that nobody helped Morgan the way they should have. Were the father/daughter duo the last people to see her? Or were the porta-a-potty duo, non students, possibly on an off road vehicle,the last ones to see Morgan? Were they the ones that said she curtsied? Is this why the timeline is off? I hope LE is interviewing the last ones to see her alive, over and over and over again. Someone was there at 9:30 and saw him/them. Even passing him/them in his car. If it is true that someone(s) nabbed her on the bridge or beyond the bridge, they were seen. IMO
Yes Amy if Sketch picked up Morgan on the bridge and was acting alone how could he pull over grab her overpower her and get her into the car and disable her phone all at the same time.
IF she got into a car imo it would have been a vehicle and a driver she thought she could trust …like security …emt….taxi…tow truck…. a cop ….a UVPD officer ….or a man with a woman.
It still seems to me she was jumped in the lot, brutally attacked and over powered. The exact time the phone powered off in my mind is when she was brutally assaulted.
Great posts everyone.All very relevant and well thought out, George, Edward, Tango, Questioner, Cat, Blink.
Amy I think it is a very interesting scenario you point out re the T shirt with Sketches’ DNA on it being provocatively “draped” in order to be found .It does suggest that whoever put it there wanted it to be found and knew Sketch would never be found and yes he could even be dead. Also Sketch could be so cocky and convinced he will never be caught that he left it there as an egotistical taunt …but i am not feeling that. it also may have been someone warning Sketch they knew about him and the crime. The other point you made Amy that was interesting to me was that the perps may have had two cars and come back to the lot later to pick it up or complete some business.
Keep it up everyone onwards through the fog.
The curtsey duo were watching a private moment they should maybe looked away as it was the appropriate area for emergencies of that nature. Again Morgan s reaction was the only normal one:
‘hope you enjoyed the show *@ pervs’ *curtsey*
Yet we read (paraphrazing) they were presented by a very strange sight etc etc. dont even wanna look that up
Its very easy to ruin a reputation and people innocentely connected by proxy to the case worry about that but Morgan cannot even respond or defend herself as she is on the ‘other’ side.
Why assume she was acting ‘crazy’ because that assumption automatically fills in the many gaps in the official explanations. That in itself is reason to take the most careful approach and not try explain things by irrational behavior of the victim.
Hummingbird thank you for your earlier explanation your way with words speaks of a wise and kind heart as their source.
The found items were never seen in situ by LE. In fact without wanting to sound cynical again, the items could have been found near the lost and found bin as they were inspected there. Where is that located anyway? a conclusion of ‘no signs of struggle’ seemed jumping to conclusions to me. Also its a crime scene its should have been handled with more care.
OT
The person of the VT shooting acted like he was ‘caught’ so it was probably a criminal conscience ( they stopped me for crime X) that made him kill. Can only wonder how serious his crimes were prior that he fired a gun just for a routine stop…
What a senseless crime
OT: correction on the VT shooting, the stopped driver was NOT the gunman its much more then it seemed:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/09/va-tech-officer-shooting-_n_1138681.html
VSP spokesperson Corinne Geller:
She said the driver, who she didn’t name, had no connection to the shooting and has been very helpful to investigators.
Hmm so a random gunman/non student waiting at campus ambushes a police officer on during a routine traffic stop?
In any case VSP came in action right away took over from local LE. IMO in these cases that should happen automatically because of the seriousness of the crime.
Profound excerpt that, sadly, may have relevance in this case. I hope that I am wrong, but when I read this it of course reminded of Morgan; our forensic-minded sleuths on here may have better insight than I:
“The Mobile Crime Lab had arrived. The techs were going through the motions, but there was a kind of listlessness in their movements and a general air of defeat. The transportation of a body away from the murder site meant that there would be few forensic clues. Also, it had rained. When this happened, it was said by some techs that the killer was laughing.”
-From THE NIGHT GARDENER by George Pelecanos
Hello, all. I’ve not posted for a long time, but I drop in from time to time and try to catch up.
The VTech policman murder has me baffled. I know you all are going think I’m crazy, but I was reading on Fox News’ website (before they updated with inform from Ms. Geller’s press conference) and they had a friend of the murdered policeman describing him as a friend and a father. He talked about how the officer liked rock music and mentioned that they had just gone to a Metallica concert in Charlotte, NC. He mentioned an incident where the policeman had some leftover fireworks and went around knocking on the doors of the apartments where he lived to invite the kids out to watch when he set them off … things like that. What caught my attention was the mention of of Metallica, of course. I googled Metallica’s 2011 tour dates and could not find where they had played Charlotte in 2011. They played there in 2009. Why would he mention a concert that was 2 years old? Why would a suspect steal a car, drive 18 miles to the VTech and shoot an unsuspecting officer … then change clothes and then kill himself? This is just so bizzare. And, of course, I’ve gone back and Fox has amended it’s piece and updated with the the press release info. I should have screen captured it, but I wasn’t thinking. I realize there is probably no connection whatsoever between Morgan and this officer. It was just reading the mention of Metallica that left a nagging feeling.
Wait … I found it:
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/12/motive-still-unknown-of-deriek-crouse-70109.html
snipped:
He was a jokester who enjoyed riding his motorcycle and rock music, his friend Aaron Proden told the AP. The two recently saw Metallica in concert in Charlotte, N.C. Crouse recently invited Proden to go on a ride-along “just to see what he does, his job, his lifestyle,” the friend said.
zarpisimo says:
December 9, 2011 at 2:54 Wait … I found it:
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2011/12/motive-still-unknown-of-deriek-crouse-70109.html
*******
Oh zarpisimo the link is gone…ok I am going Hmmmm hmmmmm. I can not say that my WTH meter did not go off following the news yesterday and this just adds a little pepper to the mix. Is this article really gone?
This one works.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57340014/slain-va-tech-cop-an-army-vet-dad-to-5/
Regarding the t-shirt, I’m wondering if it was originally thrown under the bush or something, and an unknowing passerby picked it up and draped it on the bush so that it would be visible if the person who lost it came looking for it. Maybe it was assumed someone in the nearby apartments dropped it on the way to/from doing their laundry. Or maybe the passerby picked it up to check it out, was not interested in it, and draped it on the bush (in case someone else wanted it?) rather than crumpling it back up and placing it back underneath the bush, or on the sidewalk, or wherever s/he found it. As to why this person hasn’t come forward, maybe he or she is elderly/infirm, doesn’t speak English, is homeless, etc… to me this scenario seems more comprehensible than the killer or someone involved with the crime purposefully draping the shirt.