Morgan Dana Harrington Press Conference

October 21, 2009

The Virginia State Police held a news conference this afternoon to update the public on the case of Morgan Dana Harrington, a 20-year-old Virginia Tech student who has not been seen since Oct. 17.

"Today, we have concluded what we believe is an appropriate amount of time spent on a localized ground search," Lt. Joe Rader said. "A localized ground search has been [conducted] around the University of Virginia, in the area of John Paul Jones arena, as well as the athletic fields." 

Rader also commented on speculation surrounding the discovery of Morgan's cell phone, which was found with her purse in a parking area of the arena. Rader confirmed the discovery and also reports that the battery had been removed from the phone; however he also said it is too early to determine how important those finds are.

"[It] may at some point be pertinent but in this particular situation, based on interviews we have conducted, it would not be unusual [for] the battery [to] drop out of the cell phone. So that is what it is, until we develop anything else that leads us into a criminal matter."

Rader said that interviews in the case are ongoing and that investigators have spoken with Morgan's friends and individuals who were in attendance at the concert.

"We can confirm that she was at least on the grounds in the John Paul Jones arena up through 9:30 Saturday night," Rader said. "We can confirm that [but] please do not get stuck on that time table, especially if you are out there hearing this and might have information that may [go] beyond 9:30. 

The tip line, Rader said, has been inundated with calls but not all of them have proven to be helpful.

"The tip line is really beneficial to police from the aspect that we need information that is relevant to facts that may surround the disappearance of Morgan," Rader said. "I mean that is simply what it's for. Many calls have come in [suggesting] theories of what happened [and] what the police should be doing. That is very acceptable; however it doesn't add a tremendous amount to the facts - to try to resolve the investigation. I would just ask that people keep that in mind. We need information pertinent to the disappearance."

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Rader said that the case is still considered a missing person case, but he also stated that authorities are investigating it from a "criminal investigation" standpoint.

"It is a criminal investigation in nature of a person that is missing," Rader said. "Until we can develop more information that is credible, that leads us in a different direction, it will remain so. If we successfully find her it will no longer be a missing person investigation. We will see what the resolve is at that point but I just want to reiterate that this is a criminal investigation. It is not being taken lightly. Obviously, we have used a tremendous amount of resources and will continue to do so. We do need the information to keep coming in and really pertinent information to facts surrounding the events of that particular night, Oct.17 and Oct. 18, would be a great help."

Upon concluding his statement, Rader accepted questions from the media. One of those questions centered on why Morgan left the arena and whether she was intoxicated at the time.

"She left the building originally to go to the restroom; however for some reason she wound up getting outside of the arena and the policy of the John Paul Jones arena is there is no reentry policy," Rader said. "As far as her condition, her condition is being looked at from interviews. We are not prepared to discuss her condition at this time; however she was in a condition where she was able to move about the arena freely and able to converse with people. She did call her friends when she got outside the arena and did advise them that because of the policy she could not get back in [and] would find a way to get up with them or to get home. That is the only information that I will discuss at this time. I will tell you that [this occurred] somewhere around 8:30 - between 8:30 and 9:00."

When asked about her cell phone activity, Rader declined to comment on whether Morgan had called any of her friends after 8:30.

"We are not prepaired to talk about it at this point," he said. 

The only other relevant question centered on her vehicle, which she had parked at James Madison University prior to the concert.

"The car is not [relevant to] her being missing because the two are not associated in this particular investigation," Rader said.

One other important bit of information shared at the press conference was that the number for the tip line has been changed. The new number is 434-352-3467. Rader also said that a reward will be offered in the case but that it was too soon to release any details on it.

The investigation continues...

Morgan Harrington is described as a white female, 5' 6" tall, weighing 120 pounds, with long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a black t-shirt with "Pantera" written across the front in tan lettering, a black mini skirt, black tights and black knee-high boots.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the tip line at 434-352-3467, or contact authorities by e-mail at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.

Related Link:
Investigation Discovery: Full Coverage: Morgan Dana Harrington

Photo Credits: Contributed

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in its entirety without permission from Discovery Communications. All quotes must include a link back.

Comments

[Melissa Hoyle]

OK... As far as I can see it, here's the real scoop: This isn't a stranger crime. The story her friends tell is ridiculous. You don't have to go outside of the building to use the restroom, and when was the last time you saw a young lady go to the restroom ALONE at a concert when she is with other young ladies? The friends' stories don't really even match each other. One told the police that Morgan left to go outside alone, and the other told police that Morgan left her seat to use the restroom and went alone. It appears at this press conference the police are attempting to blend the two stories by making an absurd statement such as (paraphrasing) "Morgan left her seat to use the restroom OUTSIDE." Clearly the restrooms are INSIDE the arena and Morgan would have to be either mentally retarded or too drunk to walk to not know that. The police stated that they know Morgan was able to move freely about the arena and converse with others at the time she is reported to have left her seat. So she wouldn't have gone outside the arena to use the restroom... that's a silly story from the lips of a person who knows much, much more about what happened to her friend, but had to tell the police SOMETHING and this became the story (and she's sticking to it.)

Can anybody tell me two things??

WHY are there over 1200 people expressing hope and prayers for Morgan's family on the Facebook page they created, but NOWHERE is there even one post of grief or support from a single friend who was with her that night?

And... If Morgan drove there and her car remained in the parking lot after she "mysteriously disappeared" how did her friends get home? And if they found it necessary to procure another mode of transportation because their very close friend was nowhere to be found but her car was still there... why the hell just go home and not even bother to tell Morgan's PARENTS that she had vanished during the concert? Instead of finding another ride I think I would be calling 911... wouldn't you? Supposedly they had known Morgan since middle school... they were all very close, "like sisters" according to Morgan's mother. They knew how Morgan behaved, what was characteristic of her and what was not. And they just left the arena, went home, and went to bed? This is their story?

The police need to be looking closer to home. They are only wasting time interviewing local sex offenders and sending in scent dogs to an area where there had just been a concert attended by probably 5000 plus people! Dogs are good... but they aren't THAT good.

[j.s.h.]

Very good questions miss, or (respectively) misses Hoyle,...I asked something along similar lines and thought of a few scenarios myself. (one involved accidental drug overdose in which the people (s) responsible ditched the body, or as you said....something closer to home.) The thing about the cell phone Really does not add up and Could indicate a form of Staging to throw the law off scent. (redirecting the investigation elsewhere) Really at this point its a crapshoot though, and as for the two Alleged friends...(giving them benefit of the doubt) perhaps they were assisting in the search for the girl all day and not Online to post heartfelt wishes? (and to furthermore play devils advocate, perhaps they were lawyering up as the expression goes) I hope they find the girl, but agree that they should focus closer to home on this one. ( and perhaps they are..)

[marle]

i believe at this time, no scrutiny is good. the family needs support not people being selfishly critical. she is missing. who cares about her car or purse or phone. they are hurting. time to rally.... the truth comes when it comes, speculation is not appropriate.

[Kate]

I actually disagree. I think we shouldn't underestimate what the "friends" have discussed with the police. Smart law enforcement isn't going to release all information, this is a smart tactic. Second, according to the press conference, "the friends were aware that they may not be meeting up with Morgan that night." Well then, that makes perfect sense. Morgan is a sweet girl, and probably quite trusting girl that grew up in a relatively sheltered environment. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with this, or anything to be debated. The parents are, as I am sure, both terrified and excellent parents.

Morgan may have participated in some sort of drinking, (who hasn't at age twenty?), and she may have made a choice she wouldn't have normally made if she were fully in control. Perhaps she thought she had to LEAVE the stadium to smoke. Perhaps she didn't see that she could smoke inside. The kids were excited...no one is immune to this type of excitement. When she realized she couldn't get back in the venue, (after she exited), she called her friends. I think we should read between the lines of what law enforcement is saying in their press conference, "Morgan's friends were aware that they may not meet up with her." This is the most rational and honest statement. It certainly explains how and why the friends may have left. We must really listen to what the police are telling us, and more importantly ARENT telling us. Perhaps Morgan was standing outside the gates. LE clearly indicated that she mentioned that she would, "find a way home," or something of that nature. She is, most likely, a sweet girl who wanted her friends to enjoy their time.

Perhaps outside the venue, she met someone who said that they were also going back to Tech. Maybe it was a good looking guy. Perhaps it was someone that said that he or she was a student. Perhaps she commiserated with this individual. Criminals are VERY smart, and these types of predators know how to act in order to get what they want.

I think the location of Morgan's purse is interesting. Perhaps she trusted this individual, thought maybe it was a student, etc, and maybe he offered her a ride back to campus. Maybe he suggested that she walk with him to his car. Her purse seems to have been located in the very far end of a parking lot-perhaps our perp claimed that his car was located in the far back, and he walked with her through the lot-if they were walking through the lot of cars it may have no raised flags in Morgan's mind.

The mere fact that her purse and cell phone were located at that spot suggests, (at least to me), that this was a luring tactic to get her as far away from a large group of people as possible. It's telling. If the cell phone battery was out of her phone? Well, again, listen to what the lead of the investigation mentioned. "It may be important to us that her cell phone battery was out, but it wasn't in a way that indicated it was specifically removed." I'm paraphrasing here; these were not his exact words. It sounds to me like perhaps the phone was dropped. Perhaps Morgan was carrying the phone in her hand and she was finally grabbed, where the cell phone would have hit the ground, and thus, the battery would have bounced out.

This is a ploy of predators. Seek a target. Act charming. Isolate target. Based on her circumstances and the location of her purse, I'd be inclined to think that the perp charmed her into leaving a well lit-heavily trafficked area.

Criminals don't often look like a stereotypical crook. Look at recent events: The Craigslist Killer. Look at Ted Bundy. Criminals don't always look sketchy, and some of the most nefarious are those that walk among us and look like upstanding citizens-they hide behind that mask.

It sounds to me that someone was outside the arena and was prowling. Morgan provided a target.

Regardless, I think it's important that we trust law enforcement. They want more tips because they may indeed have a lead. But for anyone that has ever worked with an individual in law enforcement, well, they want to both work with the media...and "use" that media...for good. They are probably looking for more conclusive evidence. They need more tips-so again-ANYONE that witnessed anything at all MUST call the tip line.

I can tell, just by the video that I have watched, that this is a very strong and professional police force. They know exactly what they are doing, they know more than they are reporting, (and honestly, THANK GOD-there are reasons why every detailed isn't shared with the media), and we must trust in their ability.

Nevertheless, the most important element right now is to send positive wishes to that family, the police force, and most importantly, to Morgan.

Come home safe.

[Joe]

I find it hard to believe this girl could just vanish and police wouldn't suspect foul play.

[Karen]

One question- They said her car was left there.Why would she not have driven her car when she left? I am assumimg her friends did not have her keys to her car to be able to drive it.So why would she have told the others that she'd find a ride,,when her car was there? I would think a normal response would be "Hey they won't let me back in,but I will be here(or back)for when you get out,seeing as I am your transportation" They didn't mention her saying anything to her friends in the conversation about how they were going to get home,or who would be carless.

-Edited-

Hi Karen, the initial report was confusing. We have since learned that she left her car at another location, where she met up with her friends.

[Laura]

Kate, thank you for your measured and thoughtful comments. You are right--her parents are more than excellent parents. I once told Morgan's Mom that she and Dan should write a book on parenting. Morgan is an incredibly artistic, sweet, caring and very intelligent young lady with many friends and a lovely family. What the family needs right now is 100% support as they go through this unspeakable nightmare. Please everyone pray for Morgan and her family.

[Molly]

I read on one website that she mentioned she might call some friends of her brothers to pick her up. If she did, they all need to be questioned. I pray for her safe return.
Her parents seem wonderful and evidently did an excellent job of raising her. Someone must know something - PLEASE HELP the police and her family.
Put yourself in their shoes. God Bless...

[Shar]

This whole thing isn't right. There's red flags all over the place.