Timeline of events
New tips have led police to update their timeline in the case of missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington, who has been missing since Oct. 17.
According to Virginia State Police Lieutenant Joe Rader, Harrington was last seen alone at approximately 9:30 p.m. on the bridge along Copeley Road, which goes over a set of train tracks located a short walking distance from the University of Virginia’s John Paul Jones arena. Harrington was at the arena that night for a Metallica concert.
Police released the tentative timeline in a short press conference in Charlottesville on Wednesday morning. Rader called on the public for more leads on Harrington’s whereabouts, especially after 9:30 p.m, when Harrington was last seen.
“Perhaps you saw this young lady get into a vehicle, Rader said. “Nothing is too trivial.”
From approximately 9:10 to 9:20 p.m., Harrington was seen in the grassy overflow parking area at Lannigan Field, which hosts UVa men and women’s track and field teams. Harrington was last seen at the Copeley Road bridge between 9:20 and 9:30 p.m.
Police do not have any leads after that point.
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.
A reward of $100,000 for information has been established through the Jefferson Area Crimestoppers.
Those with information about the whereabouts of Morgan Harrington are encouraged to call 434-352-3467.
staff writer Katie Robideaux contributed to this report
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Were police dogs able to follow her scent since they had her purse? Perhaps her cell phone battery died and she was unable to communicate with any of her friends or family? But why would she leave her purse and phone behind. If she chose to walk, wouldn't she choose the most light and busy path so she wouldn't be alone in the dark. Let's face it, she's obviously been abducted, murdered, and dumped somewhere in a discrete location. Otherwise, she would have been found by now unless "it puts the lotion on the skin..."
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Brian is probably on target. She took a huge risk in deciding to hitchhike (going out vaguely to find a ride home with unspecified friends counts as that). Unfortunately, she got or was forced into a vehicle and that was that. :-/
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I can't believe the comments here... show some dignity and respect. If this was your child, sibling, or family member, you would be outraged reading this. I am just amazed at the timeline and the idea that someone who goes to a concert for a band they really like would leave before it starts, wander outside, and walk away.. that seems impossible to me. Maybe I am missing something, but I have to wonder what was going on that would cause her to leave. What did she say to her friends when she called them? Obviously that is part of the investigation, but it would really help us understand what was going on. Hopefully she will be found and is ok.
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