Search for student yields little

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- A weekend search for clues in the disappearance of Morgan Harrington produced more hope than new information.

More than 500 volunteers in Charlottesville combed a 3-square-mile area from Friday through yesterday, looking for some indication of what happened to the 20-year-old Virginia Tech student.

Harrington was last seen Oct. 17 after she became separated from her friends at a Metallica concert.

The search was organized by the Texas-based Laura Recovery Center for Missing Children.

Bob Smither, who founded the center after his daughter was abducted and killed, says the search has value beyond clues.

Smither says it gives Harrington's family hope and offers the community a chance to help.