Police have ended their search on the grounds near the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones Arena for missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington and are now classifying the case as a criminal investigation.
Harrington, a junior education major, has been missing since the evening of Saturday, Oct. 17, when she attended a concert for the band Metallica at John Paul Jones arena.
Virginia State Police held a press conference Wednesday in Charlottesville to further discuss details on Harrington’s disappearance. Over 100 leads have come in to police about the case.
“You pursue things as they occur,” said state police Lt. Joe Rader, who spoke at the press conference. “The timeframe is very critical.”
According to Rader, Morgan left her friends to use the bathroom, and somehow ended up outside the arena, which does not allow reentry according to its policy. Contacting her friends, Rader added that Harrington told her she would either meet them or find a way home on her own, which Rader said explained why her friends were not concerned after they did not meet up after the concert.
According to Rader, Harrington was in the vicinity of the arena between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. When asked whether Harrington was drunk or high, Rader said she was able to move around the arena and call friends.
Harrington’s purse and cell phone were found by a passerby in a small parking lot near the arena and were turned into the UVa police Sunday morning. Rader declined to comment on calls made by Harrington or what had been uncovered through her cell phone records. Rader added that there appeared to be no signs of struggle in the area where her personal items were found.
Dan Harrington, Morgan’s father said he had bought tickets for Morgan and her group months before the show.
“Metallica wasn’t necessarily her type of band, but she likes all types of music, and that was a band she wanted to see,” Harrington said.
Harrington added that he and his wife Gil were in a state of shock.
“As you can imagine, this is a parent’s worst nightmare, to not know where your child is,” Harrington said.
Harrington said he was frustrated with the John Paul Jones Arena policy that barred reentry after leaving the venue.
“It doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Harrington said.
However, he was grateful for the outpouring of support that had come in following Morgan’s disappearance.
“It’s just overwhelming for Gil and I to have so many people care and call us about this,” Harrington said. “The support we’ve had here has been unbelievable.”
A rally for Harrington has been set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at Northside High School in Roanoke, which Harrington attended before graduating at Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Va.
The case has drawn nationwide attention, and her story has appeared on several media outlets nationwide. Her parents appeared on cable news show “Nancy Grace” Tuesday, and a post about Harrington has been included to the homepage of the band Metallica, under the title, “One Of Our Fans Is Missing.”
Harrington asked those with information to contact police.
“We just want Morgan to come home,” Harrington said.
The 20-year-old Harrington, who has long blond hair and blue eyes, was last seen wearing a black T-shirt with tan letters that read “Pantera” across the front, a black mini skirt with black tights and knee-high black boots. Harrington is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds.
Police have set up a new 24-hour tip line for the case. Those with information about the whereabouts of Morgan Harrington can call 434-352-3467. A reward, to be set up through Crime Stoppers, will have a minimum amount of $50,000. Details for a reward will be released Thursday.
news reporter liana bayne contributed to this report
