Parents of missing VT student and police warn people to be careful

For the past ten days, Dan and Gil Harrington say they have had no contact with their missing daughter.

As the search continues for missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, her parents are warning people in Charlottesville to be
vigilant.

“Halloween is in a couple of days. Somebody is or was in the Charlottesville area who takes young women. We have to keep working on this and find our daughter and find this person and make our community safer,“ Gil Harrington said Tuesday morning on Today.

UVA police are warning people too.  They are sending out a safety reminder to students before the weekend.  It’s something they say they often do right before Halloween. 

The difference this year is that Morgan Harrington’s name is included. 

According to the reminder, “The disappearance more than a week ago of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington reminds everyone that no community is safe from potential harm.  While many questions remain about Ms. Harrington’s disappearance, law enforcement officials continue to search for her and for information leading to her whereabouts.”

WSLS visited the campus Tuesday and caught up with students like Yuji Huang who was out walking her dog.

“I guess hearing about a college student going missing in Charlottesville really kind of hits home with a lot of people,“ Huang said.

Many students say they won’t change their habits, but they do plan on being more careful.

“Maybe people will be more vigilant about making sure friends don’t go off by themselves, but other than that I don’t think much will change,“ Sarah Deisz said.

“It’s definitely something I think about, but yeah I feel totally safe here,“ Rowan Sprague said.

We also have an update now to video posted to YouTube and Facebook.  State police say it is not that of missing student, Morgan Harrington.

We told you about the postings Monday.  They show a woman who fits Harrington’s description, and Harrington’s family members told WSLS they thought the girl in the video looked similar to their loved one.

State police now say the girl in the video contacted them after seeing the news reports, ending the speculation

Police have discontinued their ground search around John Paul Jones Arena.  They say they are waiting for more tips to come in and they will follow up on those leads as they get them.
   
State police are still encouraging anyone with information to please call the tip line at 434-352-3467.  They are asking anyone with information to make sure they leave a detailed message.