Image of a necklace similar to the one Morgan Harrington wore the night she disappeared. (November 13, 2009) |
RICHMOND—
Virginia State Police release new details into the disappearance of missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington.Investigators are now confident Harrington was hitchhiking the night she disappeared.
Harrington was last seen October 17 during a Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena on the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
Police say Harrington exited the arena during the concert and was not allowed back in due to the arena re-entry policy.
Police say after talking to her friends on her cell phone from outside the arena Harrington walked through the parking lot of University Hall and was also seen in the Lannigan Field athlete parking lot, which is also used for RV parking.
At around 9:30 p.m. police say Harrington was seen walking on the Copeley Road bridge near Ivy Road. It was on that bridge police say Harrington was seen hitchhiking.
Police want to know if anyone recalls seeing a young woman hitchhiking that night on or near the Copeley Road bridge.
Police say anyone who might remember seeing a vehicle randomly stopped in the roadway on the Copeley Road bridge that night is also asked to contact investigators. Police hope to hear from anyone who might have loaned their cell phone to a young woman fitting Harrington's description to make a call that night.
In addition to Harrington's black T-shirt with the word "Pantera" spelled out in tan letters, black mini-skirt, black tights, and knee-high black boots, she was wearing a distinctive necklace.
It is a Swarovski Crystal necklace made up of large crystal chain links. She is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs approximately 120 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes.
The search and investigation are still being actively pursued by Virginia State Police, University of Virginia Police, Charlottesville Police, Albemarle County Police and the FBI. The public has generated close to 400 leads in the case. Anyone can call the Virginia State Police Tip Line at (434) 352-3467 or email State Police at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. UVA Police can be reached at (434) 924-7166. Anonymous tips are welcome.
Also accepting tips is the Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000. A reward of $150,041 is available for information that leads to the location and recovery of Morgan Harrington.
