BREAKING NEWS: Jesse Matthew Abduction of Hannah Graham also linked to Morgan Harrington Murder
BREAKING NEWS- sources inside the investigation of both the murder of Morgan Dana Harrington and the abduction with the intent to defile of 2nd year student at UVA, Hannah Graham have confirmed to S. Christina Stoy, Editor in Chief of www.blinkoncrime.com that DNA belonging to Jesse Leroy Matthew, Jr matches the DNA link to that of a wanted suspect in the Harrington murder.
Further tests are being conducted to connect Mr. Matthew to a 2005 Fairfax sexual assault as well.
This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
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Hello Blink and all who I remember from so long ago! I still follow here, but started advocating in another important direction and couldn’t keep up with both. But I follow you all here often and keep up with cases. I was just reading Gil’s words today as to being informed per the “forensic” connection.. Justice is coming for our shiny Morgan…and it can’t be soon enough. 241
So sad to think of Hannah… May she be found as soon as possible…
Blink, I was reading an article from yesterday and wondering why the specific interest LE has in water related areas? I remember how specific questions, such as this, play such an important part in investigations..
“Chief Longo continues to ask land owners to search their own property.”
“Particularly if there are creeks, brooks, bodies of water that run through your property. If you are familiar with areas where there are creeks and brooks that run through pieces of real estate and you have access to that property,” says Longo. “Any little bit helps us to be able to check off that box and utilize the finite resources we have in a more efficient fashion.”
http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/277385741.html
Randy Allen Taylor says he was at a Sheetz at the time to account for what he was doing when Alexis Murphy disappeared. (Later proven false, but he said it).
He was pulling out of a Sheetz lot when police confronted him about Samantha Clarke’s disappearance.
And there was a lady who claimed she saw Morgan Harrington in the Orange Sheetz the morning after her disappearance.
That is a lot of Sheetz popping up. Seems like it is important to him in some way and might be something that connects the cases
You know, if Brice Cunningham wants to be known for aiding the investigation & running a clean establishment, imo he should immediately id from his receipts ALL patrons in his establishment at the relevant times, contact them, and ask written permission (say, by email) to provide their Tempo receipt to PD as a potential witness.
Could JM’s DNA have linked to a family member?
or hopefully PD has already subpoenaed
all Tempo receipts, tho idk how there’d be
probable cause for more than Mr Mathew’s.
Tomcat says:
September 29, 2014 at 2:37 pm
BLINK:
2002 assault was Oct 17 2002
2005 assault was Sept 24, 2005
2009 assault was Oct 17, 2009
* other potential assaults tbd
B
————————————
It was a little mind-boggling to me right after reviewing these dates that the linked article appeared on the front page of the NBC News home page this evening. It was the photo that made me do a double-take and read the headline and then click the link. Disappeared from Columbia, SC, on SEPTEMBER 24, 1992. Separated from her friends at a bar after a concert at a college stadium. On first read, I thought she disappeared from Lynchburg, VA, where she got her undergraduate degree. So that date and Lynchburg really got my attention! But she was 23 and a graduate student at Randolph, although she was only 5 ft tall and weighed under 100 pounds.
http://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/missing-america-dail-dinwiddie-n214301
In those moments that I thought she disappeared from Lynchburg, I paused to wonder what a 10-year-old might have witnessed.
lizzy says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
September 29, 2014 at 7:36 pm
————————————
Correction: She was a graduate student at Univ of S. Carolina; UG was from Randolph.
Sorry; I’m very tired and her photo, the date and Lynchburg just got me.
Since Matthews was named a POI, I just knew deep down they would link him to Morgan. I see Hannah as Susie Salmon from The Lovely Bones. She was the final victim of this perp and Morgan was waiting to comfort her.
“Susie Salmon:’ There was one thing my murderer didn’t understand; he didn’t understand how much a father could love his child.’” (imbd)
Mr. and Mrs. Harrington have been relentless in their search for justice. I am in awe of their humility and their will to continue the fight. Their love for their daughter is evident in everything they do.
JMO
241
With regard to the Pantera t-shirt of Morgan’s that was found a month later in downtown C’ville. To me, that seems like it was taunting and that JM may have been taking trophies of his victims. I have to wonder if they found any belongings in his apartment of items he may have taken from his victims, and if he had something of Hannah’s in his apartment or car. I did also note at JM’s hearing where he complained about his clothing being taken from him and wanting it back. Was there something of Hannah’s there? Or something with her DNA? Now we know part of the reason he was fleeing (most likely to Mexico) was because he knew LE would connect him to Morgan.
Justice for Morgan finally. I, like everyone else feel a sense of relief mixed with great sadness and a very sick feeling thinking that this creep took Morgan’s life and possibly Hannah’s as well. My prayers are with the Harringtons and also with the Graham family. He will pay dearly for what he has done.
Excellent job L.E. Thank you for all you do!
The dreadlocks made for a decent disguise for him. I still think it is disgusting that no one turned him in before. I guarantee you that more than one person noticed the likeness of this creep to the sketch and he probably acted pretty skiddish after Morgan was murdered and found. I hope they punish him to the full extent. No second chances and no mercy. The real punishment will come when God gets ahold of him. R.I.P. Morgan! God bless you Hannah!
I agree- bikkergal. The computerized sketch looks nothing like JM and looks like a much, more slender older man but the hand drawn one gives me chills when doing a side by side comparison of the new booking photo of JM.
Do they have a DNA profile from the murderer in Cassandra Morton’s case? -The woman who’s body was found right near Liberty University in the FALL of 2009? It says in the article they have trace evidence but not sure if that means a DNA profile. http://www.wset.com/story/13169275/year-later-lynchburg-family-pleas-for-answers-in-daughters-death
Just wow. Thank you Blink.
Read an article the other night about the suspect’s most recent victim, and the locale made me think of Morgan immediately. I can’t imagine the wild range of emotions that the Harringtons must be experiencing. Hopefully, this demon will never harm another person. Prayers to the all of the victims families. That said, is there any early indication of the suspect having a link to Anchorage Farm?
Blink,
was familial dna run for Morgan’s case? based JLM’s father’s criminal record, it seems like it would have been a hit
Thank you for all your work on these cases.
No, it is a direct hit to JLM Jr.
B
I get a Darryl Littlejohn predator-style vibe from this guy (and not just because he’s also black).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Imette_St._Guillen
It absolutely makes sense to me that Morgan would flag down a cab in her search for a ride. When you’re an inebriated college student you often trust professionals who are working at that hour – cab drivers, bouncers, bar and restaurant employees, etc – and you distrust creepy guys in the bar or trying to hit on you on the street. You know you’re not supposed to be walking around alone at night, so you seek the safety of a cab. The predator relies on your your judgment to be obviously impeded, and that you’ll be looking for a “safe” spot, the fact that you aren’t going to reject a cab ride at that time. So in an effort to make yourself MORE safe you end up running right into the predator’s trap.
Also, regarding the above – I think these guys (Mathew and Littlejohn) knew they didn’t have the good looks or charisma to pull off a Ted Bundy/Rodney Alcala-type scenario and lure their victims that way, so they used the “safe professional” strategy (bouncer, cab driver). At least, with Morgan that’s how I think that worked. (I can’t tell you how many cabs I’ve taken after a few drinks to get home by myself). I think Hannah was straight-up roofied on the first drink. Maybe she said she was lost, he told her he was a cab driver and could drive her home – omg thank you thank you thank you! you’re a lifesaver! – but come in to the bar and have a drink with me first. I think the arm around her was to steer a drugged (I don’t think she was drunk, but Roofies give the appearance of it, and therefore cover the rapist’s tracks) Hannah back to his car. I really don’t think she would have gone with him otherwise, given that she was worried and lost, if he hadn’t offered her safety in some way.
[...] in the Hannah Graham case matched DNA collected in the Morgan Harrington 2009 murder case. Go to blinkoncrime.com and scaredmonkeys.net for [...]
So this guy went to Liberty University, and the body of one Cassandra Morton was found on Liberty University property? That’s got to be connected, eh?
Here is Gil speaking regarding the connection and commenting on some dates of interest.
http://www.wsls.com/story/26658292/gil-harrington-responds-to-new-forensic-link-to-jesse-matthew
[...] Breaking News in the Hannah Graham and Morgan Harrington cases, Two linked by DNA … [...]
[...] in the Hannah Graham case matched DNA collected in the Morgan Harrington 2009 murder case. Go to blinkoncrime.com and scaredmonkeys.net for [...]
I, like so many of you, was so very strongly touched by Morgan Harrington and her family, and have been waiting a long time for the day that the evil who got hold of her (and who only knows how many what others) to be finally caught. I feel sick to my stomach when I think of what these lovely young women had to endure at his hands and deeply saddened that he was caught because of yet another woman, Hannah, having gone missing at his hands. So many bright flames put out by his darkness. But, alas, he has been finally caught. And, I have a feeling we are about to find out that Morgan and Hannah are just the tips of the iceberg. I find it very hard to believe he laid dormant. The world just became a hell of a lot of a safer place since this pitiful pass off for a human being has been caught and is now the captured himself.
When I think of what Morgan, Hannah, and all the others had to endure. Then I think about him saying to the judge that he deserves clothes. Really???? Dude, you don’t even want to know what my opinion is of what you deserve!
Lady Justice may have taken the scenic route, but she has just arrived. I think she and Chief Longo will make a fine team
So Blink is there going to be a new article by you? I think I read that correctly at SM Daily Commentary.
Yes ma’am
B
Blink, might be a silly question, but would LE have pulled phone records or “pings” from JLM cell phone in the hours and days after Hannah’s disappearance? Would they be able to get a general direction he traveled or even a closer proximity of where he was IF his cell phone was on, or if he even had a cell phone? Wouldn’t this aid in better location for search parties? I remember the battery was taken out of Morgan’s phone and Hannah’s has yet to be recovered, so he may have been wise enough to turn his off as well, but one can hope he slipped up…..
Always praying for the safe return of Hannah Graham.
yes.
B
jhny says:
September 30, 2014 at 12:38 am
Blink,
was familial dna run for Morgan’s case? based JLM’s father’s criminal record, it seems like it would have been a hit
Thank you for all your work on these cases.
No, it is a direct hit to JLM Jr.
B
Wait…familial DNA was run in Morgan’s case although this match is direct. I don’t know what JLM Srs offenses were, maybe not any requiring the collection of DNA. OR…they did get a hit but felt it wasn’t enough for an arrest? In Rader’s open letter he seemed to know the person … And the sighting at W&L….I just think they may have been aware of him for a long time….
@ATG, there will be no interrogation. Matthew is represented by counsel and has invoked his right to remain silent. Fwiw, I believe there will eventually be a guilty plea and life without parole.
Respectfully dda- way too soon to take that bet he will plea- but agreed he and counsel will reject any attempts to interview until at least Hannah is located. Now that Morgan’s murder is in the mix here- I can almost promise you he will wish to defend Mr. Matthew against the Commonwealth.
B
lizzy says:
September 29, 2014 at 7:39 pm
http://www.nbcnews.com/dateline/missing-america-dail-dinwiddie-n214301
In those moments that I thought she disappeared from Lynchburg, I paused to wonder what a 10-year-old might have witnessed.
********
We actually talked about this case in relation to RAT. I actually missed or forgot the she went to school in Lynchburg. RAT had ties to
the area near where Dail went missing from, I think.
Wondering if the whole Sept/Oct time trigger has something to do with football season.
Astute observation erose.
B
@ Saleha, I too was thinking the same thing…wondering if the initial car & apartment search was just based on seeing him with Hannah in the videos and there they possibly collected items relating to Morgan, such as her necklace that was never recovered, then once the forensics results came back on whatever else they took, toothbrush, hair brush, whatever, that prompted a second search and they were able to recover more.
The term “link” has me on the edge of my seat and although it’s an ongoing investigation to find Hannah, find out JMs part in it and now Morgan, I so badly want to know what the link is, we all assume it is DNA and I’m sure that it is, but I want to know what else was found in relation to Hannah and/or Morgan.
Now is where the tight lips come in and no more press conferences and that is frustrating.
The direct DNA link to Morgan is confirmed, but no mention of the direct link to Fairfax? Could Morgan and Fairfax link be familial, or an entirely different person (non-family)? Dang. I sure they round up anyone who might have been in cahoots with JLM Jr., if there is such a person(s).
I sure *hope* they…
I just watched Dr. and Mrs. Harrington’s interview on Today. Their continued commitment to other parents, despite all they’ve been through and continue to go through, is almost unbelievable. Their prodigious behavior and actions these last 5 years has certainly humbled us all.
All of us who have been here since the beginning…..watching, listening, reading, reasoning, commenting, dissecting this and tha….we’ve all been waiting for this moment. I believe most of us all along knew the day would come when Morgan’s killer would be known. I’ll even go so far as to say I believe some of us felt LE “knew” in some way who was involved in sweet Morgan’s death.
Who placed the t-shirt? Why that particular location? Radar’s comments regarding Anchorage Farm and the location of Morgan’s remains…..he said these things with a certainty as if he “knew” who took Morgan. Looking back now, if firmly believe LE were well aware of MJ’s whereabouts, habits, and behaviors. I know this is not the time to be critical and I won’t elaborate on my feelings, but they just waited too darn long…..Blink said it would take “the life of another shiny girl to find Morgan.” Oh Blink, how right your were.
IMO, MJ will reveal where Hannah is….maybe not today or tomorrow, but I believe he will. Until he does, I sadly feel, like Morgan, it will be months of continued agony for the Grahams.
My continued heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Graham family.
Dr. and Mrs Harrington you continue to touch me with your grace and love for Morgan. Maybe now your shiny girl can rest……maybe now you can find a peace of knowing. As always, my thoughts and prayers for you are abundant.
Blink, are we still believing the sighting of “sketch” in Lexington on September 15th still holds water?
dunno
B
“dda says:
September 30, 2014 at 9:49 am
@ATG, there will be no interrogation. Matthew is represented by counsel and has invoked his right to remain silent. Fwiw, I believe there will eventually be a guilty plea and life without parole.”
————————————————————————
Unfortunately at this time, or until Hannah is found, I think the state is going to proceed with what they have on Morgan’s case and the abduction charge for Hannah will most likely be an (sigh) afterthought.
IMO, I don’t believe they found a great deal of significant evidence regarding Hannah, perhaps hair strands in his car, or clothing of hers at his apartment, coupled with the fact that she is missing, her incapacitated state, and that he specifically took her in that altered state.
Probable cause is fairly easy to fulfill, the key is, there NEEDS to be SOME evidence to support the charge. Perhaps not enough to prove conviction, but something to hold him though as the investigation progresses.
I also believe that the forensic “link” is DNA, found on Morgan’s shirt and matched to JM. This would also tie him to the 2005 rape of course, which changes the above scenario around entirely. At this point, the 2005 case would appear to be the most viable.
The investigations still have a loooooonnnnggg way to go, they have their man, it will be important for the investigators to finagle more evidence to solidify proper convictions.
This Guy ain’t spilling IMO, he is a psychopath, only concerned with his own interests. Unless its for his benefit, he will not say a word about Hannah unfortunately.
Technically under the law- what he is charged with so far in VA- for him to be charged with it via the Commonwealth Atty they must have specific evidence to support it- LE can’t arrest him for “suspicion” of a felony charge under that statute- it is specific.
I agree with you this/these cases have a very long shelf life right now because a DNA link on a shirt found a month after her disappearance – while I believe it to be tied to him, if I were to put my defense hat on- I came up with a triple digit short list of how it will be explained if it even comes in due to chain of custody issues- of which, there are a few. This case needs to go back to square one because doing so will also locate Hannah Graham, imo.
As I began an update piece today- I was researching my former coverage to include comments, etc. I cannot articulate the range of emotions I feel right now that have me taking a break to hopefully be able to focus at some point. It is paralyzing even for me- who sees this sort of prophetic situation play out regularly- so I truly cannot even fathom what the Graham’s are going through. The Harrington’s began this journey ( this leg) yesterday and having worked with families before in similar situations, and at one point I even shared some of that information and experiences with them, have a face and name to attach to Morgan’s death and they know it in their souls and I can tell you- as they go through this process they are going to be mighty pissed at how this came full circle to end another girl’s life-
I know I am. Same circle, same area, would it have been too effing much to ask to plaster sketch’s face along the 29 corridor, do the walk and talks on the major landowners and their staff/contractors/associates/guests? Not because historically sketches suck- but because it is imperative for investigators to see the reactions of people and to see what shakes from the tree. I mean- the Harrington’s driving around with his mug on their vehicles and VSP could not dedicate the effort?
Just really sad and angry for these young ladies.
Lastly- I do not think Matthew is a psychopath whatsoever- BPD leaning to sociopath likely. He hears voices, of that I am sure.
B
Seems as though rape kits from MANY states are on backlog….
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/long-forgotten-rape-evidence-finally-reveals-its-clues-in-northern-virginia-lab/2014/06/16/e4aa1aea-d538-11e3-95d3-3bcd77cd4e11_story.html
Sept/Oct football trigger- getting kicked off of a team because of the woman that accused him of rape(in his mind). The season starting reminding him of what could of been with his football career if not for a woman?
I too believe the Fall football season is significant. It is my opinion that the first known sexual assault caused him to lose his scholarship and his probable dream of the NFL, therefore he blames the victim in that case. He projects that rage onto other women at this time of year when he is reminded of what he has lost. Like I said just my opinion, but having a son that plays college ball on scholarship this is truly what I believe is the motive at least partly.
dda
I agree with you that interrogation by LE is going to be contained by his attorney. However, my thinking was that in Galveston they put JM in isolation without clothing or bedding because they thought he may use his clothing or bedding to commit suicide. They wanted to get him safely out of their custody and back to C’ville’s custody. JM complained about not having his clothes and the cell to the judge in Galveston. While he is in jail at C’ville he should be made as uncomfortable as possible. The jail could put him on suicide watch and treat him exactly as he was in Galveston. I would also shave his head so that he has nothing to work with regarding offing himself.
I think if JM is treated in that manner, he may decide to volunteer information to LE in order to get his clothing back and perhaps some bedding.
In regards to the sketch. After looking at the photo of his head taken from the picture of him beside the cab, the thing that confuses people is the cant of his ears in the sketch. If one ignores the ears in the sketch, to me he is a very good match. I say that from years of being around blacks having grown up with them in the communities in which I lived.
Chief Longo and his investigators need to go way back to the beginning and that means starting with the rape allegations at Liberty University. If the university had not played coverup to protect their reputation, JM may have been put away for that crime.
I realize that girls ,in an effort to conceal poor behavior, sometimes claim they were raped. However, schools and LE should take every such allegation very seriously and do a very through investigation into the situation. Rape is not about sex alone. It is about power and control over the person being attacked.
In today’s world, we have steroids being used by people of all types. They exist in the high schools,colleges, universities and professional athletic clubs including gyms. These a very powerful drugs that when abused, alter the behavior of those that use them.
There are many things that schools,LE and the communities could do to help prevent these types of crimes. We as a society must go back and perform the very things that make a society necessary in the first place. The number one thing is to protect those making up the society from bad behavior of those in it and those outside it.
There was a report on Fox News this morning and the guy said there was something new today concerning the Cassandra Morton case …………. I can’t find anything more about that.
Blink, have you heard anything along those lines.
Yes, I’ve followed all the links. The interviews with the Harringtons are over-whelming. Their desire, dedication, and determination are inspiring. With the burden of living on without their daughter, they truly are looking out for all our daughters ……. The grahams have a sad day waiting for them, I’m afraid. God Bless them.
I don’t think the Clery Act is enough. Kids forget too soon, never knew, or think it would never happen to them. “Help Save the Next Girl” should be a permeant fixture to every freshman or transfer orientation on every College campus in the Nation; and, perhaps an hour credit compulsory class as well.
@SkepticSleuth. The DA has a pallette to chose from. Imo if the DA is not a publicity hound who has to run for reelection or something, he will first try the most minimal evidentiary-demand secure case which will result in a conviction and prison. I expect that’s the abduction with intent to defile. That conviction would
afford time to locate Hannah and to re-work Morgan & others.
You are going to have your head spinning on it’s axis before this is over, lol, Rose- there is significant history in this area in the Commonwealth Atty sector and they do things very differently than you are used to seeing in some of my cases. You are not going to see BS motions or grandstanding. I would not be surprised if this has a gag order on it out of the gate and closed to public pretrial motions- they hand them out in candy dishes in this jurisdiction outside of the restrooms at the bar office.
( kidding of course but you get my drift- as soon as the connection was made to Harrington even chief Longo was put on sssshh alert.)
B
Just wondering where, besides CNN who’s already removed 2 erroneous stories on this, you’re getting the info that it was infact a DNA match?
Multiple sources- I stand behind it 100%.
B
http://www.wric.com/story/26661221/police-say-jesse-matthew-could-be-tied-to-2009-murder-of-morgan-harrington
Now we know why he didn’t stick it out at CNU either…
Regarding JLM and football, I remember Gil Harrington asking a few years back: what is it with this time of year that makes this guy feel the need to go out and “hurt someone”- mom’s intuition, a great call.
I was reading up on football and head injuries and found that even low grade concussions can create PTSD-like symptoms. Given what has been reported about JLM’s inappropriate behavior in public and descriptions of him by friends and former teammates, this seems to compute.
Cassandra Morton’s family deserves answers, too. I’ve always thought that her case is connected. The Jamisha Gilbert case is evidently being reopened, too. She was running from someone…
http://www.wset.com/story/26666211/campbell-co-sheriffs-office-investigates-possible-link-between-jesse-matthew-cassandra-morton-case
Take a deep breath, Blink. Refocus. You know something, you may not even know you know. Or, do you?
I’m still upset with VSP’s investigation and JPJ Arena. Now I have to worry about Longo?
Are the Harrington’s continuing their lawsuit against the JPJ Arena? I hope so.
Blink is right…we practice law differently here in Virginia in both civil and criminal cases. I cringe when I watch high profile cases proceed in certain other states and see the results of unnecessary theatrics. We speak softly but carry big sticks, for lack of a better description. I stand by my probably premature prediction bc my gut tells me that at some point defending Matthew may become primarily a life-saving mission. Still very early days though and it very much depends on what evidence can be developed…right now there are missing links, at least in what has been presented to the public. I have faith those links will be, or have been, made by LE because I think Matthew has been more lucky than careful.
Unfortunately dda I have also seen such “theatrics” and I have seen them work well in high profile. Not just in the prosecutorial phase- but in allowing suspect (s) the exposure they need to scare LE out of making an arrest or a jury indictment. Of note – Casey Anthony, Irwin baby, Trayvon Martin.
Throwing one more thing at ya- Although I do agree with you that ultimately aggravators will present in the charges against Matthew- I think people are assuming he has acted alone in any and all crimes. I don’t believe that so far.
B
Is it known where LJM resided during the Harrington murder? We know where he resided during the Graham abduction. I am wondering whether it may make a difference in where the police search for Hannah’s remains. He obviously made a last stop at Anchoage Farms in the Harrington case (and maybe others with him). That is fairly well south of c’ville proper. He now resided off of Barrachks Road on the westerly side of C’ville. There is much rural territory to the west of Cville. I am wondering if there have been searches out that way along Barracks road and beyond. I am thinking that he may have been tired and gotten lazy and disposed of Hannah’s body close to his apartment. Also how about the environs around this high school where he helped out coaching football. I don’t know where it is but it may have seemed inviting to him. just some musings.
Mike- very close to Barracks
B
Blink says “I am saying that- well, I can now- that I did not feel the necklace was taken ( her boots and socks were missing as well) as a sort of trophy- I don’t see this offender that way- it is incongruent with her placement style and location, imo. Who knows- shirt planter might have been sending JLM a message.”
According to the woman that Jesse was ‘harassing’ the night of HG’s disappearance (from the Coy Barefoot article), he seemed to take particular interest in their shoes and feet. This creep has a weird foot fetish and may have hung onto MH’s boot’s and/or tights.
From Coy’s article- http://insidecville.com/blog/ljs-timeline/-
“Molly recalls that she and a girlfriend sat at a table near the bar. “My friend had on cowboy boots, and they hurt her feet so she took her boots off. [LJ Matthew] walked over to her, took her socks off, and said “Let me look at your toes.” Molly says they didn’t know how to react to him, as he continued to be inappropriate.
“Then he came over to me and tried to touch my legs,” Molly says. “I told him no. He said, ‘I just want to see your feet, like her.’ I told him no. Don’t touch me, do not touch me. One time he reached above my knee, and the next time below my knee. I finally told him, don’t fucking touch me.”
All too creepy and chilling…