Tech student’s disappearance treated as criminal investigation
TED STRONG MEDIA GENERAL NEWS SERVICE
Published: October 22, 2009
Times Dispatch CHARLOTTESVILLE — Police are treating the investigation into a missing Virginia Tech student as a criminal matter, though they say there’s still no evidence a crime has been committed.
Officials say they have Morgan Dana Harrington’s purse and her cell phone but they have no idea where she is, though they’ve received more than 100 tips.
They plan to offer a reward of at least $50,000 for information leading to the location of the 20-year-old, who was reported missing after attending a Metallica concert Saturday night at the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena.
Lt. Joe Rader of the Virginia State Police said a ground search of the area around the arena didn’t turn up any sign of the missing Roanoke woman.
The last anyone heard from her, she had left the show looking for a restroom and ended up leaving the arena entirely, Rader said at a news conference yesterday outside the U.Va. police headquarters.
She called her friends from outside the arena to tell them not to worry and that she would try to find a way to get home, Rader said. The arena, like many venues, doesn’t allow re-entry during concerts.
The next day, a passer-by found Harrington’s purse and cell phone, without its battery, in a parking lot, and her parents reported her missing.
Metallica posted a statement on its Web site asking anyone with information to contact police. The band says it is deeply concerned.
Also, state police are starting a new, 24-hour-a-day tip line at (804) 263-5547. Tips can be e-mailed to bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.edu . U.Va. police are at (434) 924-7166.
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:59 am
There’s a $100,000 reward for details of her disappearance: http://www2.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/100000_reward_set_for_clues_on_student/47913/