A young
In any missing person case, you first look at the facts surrounding the disappearance and I was able to obtain summaries of the events that led up to her disappearance. The first is a summary compiled by Dan Harrington, Morgan’s father. The second, the official police summary prepared by the Virginia State Police.
Dan Harrington’s summary:
At noon on October 17, 2009 Morgan and her roommate, Amy, left Roanoke in her 2006 Honda to travel 90 minutes north on I-81 to James Madison University (JMU). At JMU, Morgan and Amy met up with Sarah and Dan (a friend’s BF) to travel 60 minutes east to
Two bands played before Metallica, Morgan was present for these sets. Before Metallica played, Morgan left the group to go to the rest room. A witness reports seeing Morgan in bathroom upset/crying and it appeared as if she had been hit (she apparently fell and cut her chin). At she left the arena for unknown reason and was unable to gain reentry.
Outside the arena, Morgan had a phone conversation with Sarah inside the arena (battery still in phone) and Morgan stated she had been locked out of arena and was unable to gain reentry. Morgan told her friends she would find a ride home or call a friend. No other phone calls were recorded. However, during this time she also texted a male friend in a town 60 miles away. That individual has been excluded as a person of interest in this case by the Virginia State Police.
Morgan was seen in several areas immediately outside John Paul Jones Arena, possible including doors, and the side near University Hall.
9:00 - A witness reported seeing Morgan in front of the arena and recalled speaking with a female consistent with Morgan’s description.
– Morgan was seen walking, with her purse, through the University Hall parking area. There are several reports of her having had interactions with people - or of them having seen Morgan at various places in the parking lot outside of the arena. There were also reports of a woman seen dropping her purse.
9:10 - 9:20 – A woman, fitting Morgan’s description, was seen in the grassy overflow RV parking area at Lannigan Field.
– It is reported Morgan had an interaction with four
9:20 - 9:30 – Morgan was sighted on the
– This is the last verified sighting of Morgan Dana Harrington.
After the concert, Morgan’s friends waited for a significant amount of time – they never saw Morgan and left the venue returning back to JMU in Morgan’s car.
Early Sunday morning, Morgan’s purse was found by a passerby and was reported to the
Sunday - Morgan fail to show up at her parent’s house as expected (to study for Math test and to balance her checkbook). Morgan’s father, Dan Harrington begins calling the friends who accompanied Morgan to the concert.
- Dan Harrington reported Morgan missing to the
The only trace of Morgan found inside or outside of the arena was her pocketbook. Evidently, Morgan’s image was not picked up on security cameras, or other personal video recorders or personal cameras in or around venue. LE is still seeking any other available images from the public during this timeframe.
: Someone matching Morgan Harrington's description was seen outside John Paul Jones Arena parking lot by the ticket office and on the University Hall side.
•: Morgan calls a friend inside the arena, discusses trying to get back in. Tells her friend that she will get a ride home from friends around
•: Morgan is still spotted outside the arena. Police say they have no indication she re-entered the building.
•: Someone matching Morgan's description was seen walking through the University Hall parking lot. Nobody saw her with someone, but there were other people walking in the same direction.
•9:: Someone matching Morgan's description was seen in the Lannigan Field parking area near the track. This parking lot is used for overflow parking for arena events. The person matching Morgan's description had limited interaction with people who were at the parking area.
•: The people who witnesses the person matching Morgan's description left the area.
•9:: The person matching Morgan's description was seen on the
Those are the facts as we know them. My next column with concentrate on the new leads and the sightings that have been reported. I spoke with private investigator Rick Smith, a former FBI Agent who handled the Polly Klaas kidnapping, here in
Smith further states “No case better illustrates this type of cooperation than the Polly Klaas case in
Just one tip can turn this case around and you can do so anonymously. I am committed to following this story and working any leads until we find Morgan.
If you have any information about this case, you can contact the lead investigator with The Virginia State Police, Lt. Joe Rader, by calling the tip line at 434-352-3467 or email information to bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.
The reward for any info leading to the wherabouts of Morgan now officially stands at $150,000. You can also send tips through the www.findmorgan.com website, The Laura Recovery Center or by contacting our agency, The R.D.D.Detective Agency, at mailto:ratdogdetective@aol.com
http://www.vsp.state.va.us/
http://www.findmorgan.com
http://www.ratdogdick.com
http://cannonstreet.com
Comments
This story is tragic, but still makes no sense! If Morgan was waiting for 6 months for the concert to see Metallica, and she called her friend and said she would get a ride, what kind of friends were they?! And did Morgan lose her stub, is that why she couldn't get back in? We just don't understand what was going on here that her friends would let her "find a ride home"! Still think she was to meet up with an individual and something went horribly wrong.
Thank you for continuing coverage on morgan's story. I'm one of her friends and feel confident she's alive and being held
against her will since searches haven't reveiled her body yet. I check everyday for new tips or news articles with any information that can lead us closer to her and today after like a month ur article has given me just a little more insight. I'm glad to see Dans side of the story being represented and I believe this is one of the first articles naming the male in the vehicle. Thank you for keeping her story alive.
Oh Blake, I believe she left her stub inside and may have been feeling sick and headed for the bathroom. Somehow she ended up outside with a bloody chin either she fell or was hit. At this point u can look at her n tell she's vulnerable and I think someone took advantage of that. Alchohol may have been involved since they mention the DD was driving Morgans car. Also at about nine the battery fell outbid her phone and I know her friends made attempts to call her. Unfortunatly college schedules are very unforgiving n her friends had to get back to school. I think Morgan is a free spirit n her friends trusted her judgement to a fault that night.
I was banned from the Find Morgan forum for speaking my mind without threats or profanity about my dissatisfaction with three members who did nothing but offer contradictory, negative comments about concerned members’ posts, Morgan, and her friends. I was also fed up with the constant banter about Morgan being on drugs, drunk, or being a runaway! Why forum moderators allowed such banter is beyond me.
I was banned, despite being logged in for twelve plus hours every day for two months straight without a break. I offered numerous ideas and thoughts leading to a great deal of dialogue. My threads kept the forum active and going in a positive direction even at its lowest points. You’ll see, just look for my threads and posts.
Banned! That's the gratitude I received. To Morgan’s family and friends; I did my best. I’m sorry Morgan’s character has been muddied by the slanderous statements of the few who have no idea why she behaved as she did. I hope you find Morgan safe, and soon!
A ticket stub was worthless. Reentry was not allowed. See the arena web site:
Reentry:
Exiting and reentering with the same ticket is not permitted.
JSR- they banned you? For what? I do not understand. Everyone should agree to disagree. I do not frequent there as much because the attitude seems to be a trend across the internet.
Now I must say this article is factual. Too bad its taken 2 mos. Better late than never
Brian, I'm trying to catch up on what's been written about Morgan's disappearance. I, too, am sorry some people continue to sully Ms. Harrington's reputation. For goodness sake, we've all acted silly and experimented with different things at that age. Anyway, I was curious as to your comment "...few who have no idea why she behaved as she did." Is there something that you know as to why Morgan left the arena?
Katesro (Hi!!!) It's nice to see a friendly name. I hope you're well! I agree...it would have been nice to have the information above earlier on. I don't believe releasing any of it would have interfered with the investigation. I hope you have a Merry Christmas (or Happy Holiday), and a Happy New Year!!! Take care!
Jane, I know nothing more than anyone else. I guess I'm just trying to say there can be factors other than drug/alcohol use that may have contributed to her "unusual" behavior the night she disappeared such as an underlying medical condition. That's all.
I'm hoping Morgan is merely walking around somewhere safe or staying with someone and just not aware of who she is due to an amnesia related injury from her fall during the concert. But, I would think if she were, someone would have reported her to authorities by now. I fear the most obvious has happened and I hope I'm wrong. I truly hope she's found soon! Unfortunately, our society has many predators. If Morgan was taken by someone like Buddy Earl Justice, her abductor may not even be in Virginia. Hence, just another reason for keeping Morgan's story alive in the hearts and minds of everyone, everywhere in our nation. I wasn't allowed to post a link to the article, but if you search for Buddy Earl Justice in Niagara Falls, there's an article about his story involving Virginia, Georgia, and Florida.
This is such a strange case. Who hich-hikes anymore? I say she received a call from someone she was interested in and she went outside to meet him (or her) and that meeting that person was more important to her than a concert she cared deeply about. Ought to be a short suspect list. Then that person dumped her battery so she couldn't call and took her.
As for the sightings, they could be of someone else. How many people REALLY notice anyone but themselves? People want to help and offer info but some or all of it just might not be her.
JSR, you were not banned because of that. You were banned because you had two accounts on the site which is against TOS.
To the general public reading this: please consider coming over to findmorgan.com, join the forum, and participate. We have a wonderful group of people from all walks of life, who are sharing opinions, shooting holes in theories, supporting each other, and supporting the Harringtons in this very troubling time. We have had our share of "trolls" (people who attempt to inflame a message board) and we really could use some fresh vibes. Please, it only takes 30 seconds to join, it is completely free, and you have the chance to help support a family searching for their loved one!
HokieDokie - I have an email that says otherwise! I was banned temporarily for having two accounts, although the notice to me said it was forever, the administrators said it was temporary! I was permanently banned for speaking my mind about the nonsense of others and how moderators allowed the behavior (slander of Morgan's good name) to continue unchecked on the site. I wouldn't return if I could! The negative members far outweigh the positive, concerned members!
4 Went To Concert - 2 Came Back
Sarah and the other friend drove Morgan’s car back to JMU after that concert.
So, we have one less passenger, who didn't go home that night, other than Morgan?
At noon on October 17, 2009 Morgan and her roommate, Amy, left Roanoke in her 2006 Honda to travel 90 minutes north on I-81 to James Madison University (JMU). At JMU, Morgan and Amy met up with Sarah and Dan (a friend’s BF) to travel 60 minutes east to Charlottesville, Va. Dan was the designated driver of Morgan’s vehicle. The group arrived in Charlottesville at 6:00 pm where they were to attend the Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena.
So, which person didn't return on the drive home that night, Amy or Dan?
The way all of the articles read, it's as if Sarah and another "friend" drove back to JMU. I'm thinking because this person wasn't ever named, that it was Dan that drove the car back. So, Amy is the missing link. Where was Amy after the conce
This disappearance makes perfect sense if you have been researching similar student disappearances. There is a long list. Remember Brian Shaffer, Maura Murray, Michael Negrete, Josh Guimond, or Justin Gains? They are all still missing.
Another case, Ron Tammen, Miami of Ohio, goes back fifty years. Tammen was sighted a three hour walk from the school so confused he didn't know his name. The first cases are from 1880's France. One man walked from France to Moscow before recovering.
Virginia Tech was warned about a simple problem capable of causing a mental break after the Cho shooting but nothing was done.
It is likely that Morgan is a Dissociative Fugue victim. DF is diagnosed when someone is found. But little is known about the onset and first few days of a fugue episode.
VisionAndPsychosis_Net
Questioner, did it occur to you that all 3 had not been named yet. So the person doing the interview assumed Sara and Amy drove back when she said "we couldn't find her so we left". I have seen alot of misinformaion reported on different sites. Hopefully we can finally have some straight answers here. Thanks Ann for keeping Morgans name and face out here.
LK,
I have been in Search and Rescue of the Missing for over 9 years and am a Psych Maj. Morgan's case is not a mental break or DF because of Cho, as you have put it. She dissapeared... Where she is, unfortunately, no one knows. As the Examiner and police have discussed during this investigation, criminal at that, is that the public needs to get involved. The truth is out there, someone knows it, it will come out, it is only a matter of time.
We may never know what happened to Morgan. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends, especially over what I'm sure has been an extremely difficult holiday season. If Morgan is living, may she be returned to her family now. If she is not living, may she rest in peace in the arms of our lord.
I hope this case is solved and she is found safe.
With every case of missing young, attractive women these seem to be some familiar ingredients. Very bad decisions coupled with association with the wrong people, add to this the failure to look out for your own safety. I can only hope that other young women learn from these cases. I note that Morgan did not have the keys to her own car. Her "friends" knew she was outside the arena and could not get back in, but they did nothing, and later drove home with her car, and did not even report that she was missing. If these people can be described as friends, then we are all better off without friends.
did the friends ever think about leaving the show when morgan called to say she was outside? why didn't any of them call her parents first thing in the a.m. a little more concern on their part, right away may have prevented this! i was at u2 two weeks prior, and if my friend or daughter was possibly disoriented and outside the stadium, i would be out there!!!maybe they need to be looked at further!
I will be questionning separately all her frineds...one by one...there were just too much silence from them...She waNTED TO GO SO MUCH TO THAT SHOW...WHAT WILL BE STRONG ENOUGH TO LET HER GET UP AND GO OUTSIDE???
jUST WONDER
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