Ground and air search called off for missing Virginia Tech student
Published: October 21, 2009
Updated: October 23, 2009
State Police and University of Virginia Police say they are stopping the ground search for missing Virginia Tech Student Morgan Harrington and investigating the state she was in before she disappeared this past Saturday.
At a news conference in Charlottesville Wednesday afternoon, investigators said they believe that Harrington was on the grounds of the John Paul Jones Arena (JPJA) until at least 9:30 p.m. this past Saturday. Harrington was there with a group of friends, attending the Metallica concert.
Police believe Harrington left her friends to go to the bathroom and somehow ended up outside JPJA. There was no re-entry allowed on the night of the concert. Investigators say Harrington got in contact with her friends, and told them she would either get in touch with them later or find another way home.
Investigators said a passer-by found Harrington’s purse between the arena and the UVA athletic fields, in a small parking lot. They did not find signs of a struggle, but are treating the case as a criminal investigation.
Police also said they checked surveillance video from JPJA and the surrounding area, but it has not helped their investigation.
Investigators plan to release information about a reward as early as Thursday. It will be a minimum of $50,000.
State Police also said they have created a new tip line. It is 434-352-3467. State Police say they have received more than 100 tips from across the country.
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Reader Reactions
I’d like to make a 2nd comment referencing the fact she wasn’t allowed to re-enter the concert. I understand the policy or anyone could walk up to the door and say…can I go back in? Otherwise, someone could have a dozen friends waiting outside and simply let them in (I know it wasn’t the case here).
My question is how did she get outside in the first place unnoticed? Where was she wandering around with no staff to redirect her? I realize the doors cannot be locked from the inside in case of emergency, but doesn’t hired event staff monitor the entrances and exits? Shows me the event wasn’t well securied by the hired staff in charge of that.
Doesn’t seem right she was able to access a place in the arena where no people were around to guide her to the right way back in…or enough walking around where it was obvious. Was she just searching around out of curiousity and got disoriented? Even if so…where were the staff monitoring the halls and such? They don’t want fans showing up backstage or other restricted areas, so I still wonder where she got to inside that allowed her outside unnoticed….
Based on everything I’ve read stated by her parents and friends, she is a responsible girl who was very, excited about going to this concert. I wonder if she attempted to climb a fence and possibly if determined enough…climb onto the builing to get back in? If so, she may be been stuck/injured and no one would have heard her with a concert going on. Not trying to be discouraging, but the student missing that was found in a wall was missed for a number of days.
Scary she may have accepted a ride and that in itself is going to make the investigation difficult since there can be no concrete area to search!
I cannot imagine what her loved ones are going through.
The policy goes for most places anyways for safety reasons. I hate the fact that the police are calling off the search for now. I went to school with Morgan and I’m finding all this information very upsetting.
I am so sorry for the parents and will pray for her safe return. I have to question the policy of someone not being allowed to return to their friends when they have traveled from another city to see a concert. Is one persons safety worth such a policy? They should have any bags searched then allowed to enter again.In my opinion the people responsible for this policy are to blame for what happens to this young person!
WE WANT THE HARRINGTONS TO KNOW WE ARE
HOLDING THEM IN PRAYER.
NANCY&ORLANDO;
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