Tech student’s disappearance treated as criminal investigation
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Local and state police have been searching for Va. Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, of Roanoke County, Va., since she was reported missing by her parents Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009.
Published: October 22, 2009
CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Police are treating the investigation into a missing Virginia Tech student as a criminal matter, though they say there's still no evidence a crime has been committed.
Officials say they have Morgan Dana Harrington's purse and her cell phone but they have no idea where she is, though they've received more than 100 tips.
They plan to offer a reward of at least $50,000 for information leading to the location of the 20-year-old, who was reported missing after attending a Metallica concert Saturday night at the University of Virginia's John Paul Jones Arena.
Lt. Joe Rader of the Virginia State Police said a ground search of the area around the arena didn't turn up any sign of the missing Roanoke woman.
The last anyone heard from her, she had left the show looking for a restroom and ended up leaving the arena entirely, Rader said at a news conference yesterday outside the U.Va. police headquarters.
She called her friends from outside the arena to tell them not to worry and that she would try to find a way to get home, Rader said. The arena, like many venues, doesn't allow re-entry during concerts.
The next day, a passer-by found Harrington's purse and cell phone, without its battery, in a parking lot, and her parents reported her missing.
Metallica posted a statement on its Web site asking anyone with information to contact police. The band says it is deeply concerned.
Also, state police are starting a new, 24-hour-a-day tip line at (804) 263-5547. Tips can be e-mailed to . U.Va. police are at (434) 924-7166.
Ted Strong is a staff writer at The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.
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Reader Reactions
she’s 20 years old and likes Metallica… she probably ran away with another redneck somewhere in the country..
“But, as far as the battery goes, some phones, depending on models, the battery can fall out by being dropped.“
I agree, my phone is like that… I drop it from say 2.5 - 3 feet off the ground, and the battery pops out. But usually lands inches from the phone and cover.
The article doesn’t say if the battery was found or not. This information is either being withheld, or was omitted from the article.
I’m assuming that the battery wasn’t found, and that is very concerning.
they found the phone on the ground with no battery. If the battery fell out when the phone was dropped…where is the battery? The police searched the area. Certainly the batter is not going to end up more than a few feet away if it truly fell out. This is not good. Sounds like someone disabled the phone on purpose.
Even if the battery falling out was a normal event for that phone, based on her history of calling home every day, it’s still unusual.
If she somehow decided to go off on some adventure or bender, then she has put a lot of people through a horrible experience.
From another article….
“Many have speculated about a battery that was missing from the cell phone,“ said Virginia State Lt. Joe Radar. “Based on interviews we have conducted, it would not be unusual for this particular incident that the battery would drop out of the cell phone.“
Maybe there’s hope for the family. Maybe she is having fun, not caring who is worried, oblivious to the news. Hopefully thats all it is. But, I’m afraid its not.
I’m thinking this girl was indeed kidnapped. But, as far as the battery goes, some phones, depending on models, the battery can fall out by being dropped. I hope they find her alive and she was just partying, but this doesnt sound good for the family.
I am praying for this young woman and her family and friends.
Correct. The fact that the battery was removed would lead you to believe something very bad has happened. Not a normal occurence. If someone did grab her, they knew the phone could be tracked if it was on.
I hate to say this, but the cell phone found with the battery removed is not a good sign. You do this if you do not want law enforcement to be able to track the phone (newer models have a built-in gps that can be accessed to find the phone in the event of an emergency).
Or more likely she may have been in some way inhibited…either through alcohol or drugs to realize she was going outside and couldn’t get back in?
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