Cops: Morgan Was Hitchhiking

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Reported missing after a Metallica concert, Virginia Police are asking the public to come forward with any pictures or video that might have coincidentally captured Morgan on film.

Police have released critical new information in the case of missing student Morgan Harrington: She was hitchiking on the night of her disappearance.

Harrington went missing shortly after she left a Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones arena. Unable to get a ride home since her friends were inside, she told them via cell phone that she would find her own way home.

Following up on this lead, police discovered via independent witness accounts that Morgan was hitchhiking that night on or near the Copeley Road bridge.

Police now seek witnesses and any information on cars that were around the bridge on the night of Morgan's disappearance.

This news comes after a well-coordinated search effort covering 2600 acres. But it yielded nothing for cops to move the investigation forward.

As the search for Morgan entered its fourth week, Dan and Gil Harrington addressed the volunteers before they set out to look for any clues that might lead to Morgan's whereabouts.

Nearly a month after she was reported missing, the Harringtons continue to push the search forward, making multiple appearances on television and using social media via the web.

Dan and Gil Harrington, parents of Morgan, announced a renewed search beginning November 6th. But this time, instead of just police, the party was comprised of volunteers.

The search began in Charlottesville at 9am Novmber 6th, and continued throughout the weekend.

Morgan's parents are encouraged by volunteers' efforts, "This search effort is yet another example of the outpouring of kindness toward Morgan and out entire family that continues to give us all hope" says Dan.

The Harringtons recently established the Find Morgan Fund.

The fund will defray the increasing costs of the rapidly-expanding search for Morgan, who disappeared over two weeks ago.

Any unused funds will be donated to other families involved in missing persons cases.

On October 17, 2009, Morgan Harrington and a friend drove from Virginia Tech to James Madison University, where they picked up a third friend.

From James Madison University, Morgan and her two friends drove to the University of Virginia, where they planned to attend a Metallica concert.

But once inside the John Paul Jones Arena where the venue was held, Morgan lost touch with her friends.

Later that evening, Morgan's whereabouts were still unknown.

On October 18, the very next morning, Morgan's parents reported her missing.

Cops: Check Your Camera For Missing Student

Since Morgan's disappearance, the Virginia State Police have been generating leads and looking into tips from the public, but none have lead to Morgan's recovery.

Now, police are asking people who attended the concert to check their cameras, cell phones, or any other recoding devices.

Police believe someone may have accidentally captured Harrington on film.

If so, this could be a major break in the investigation.

According to the "Find Morgan" website detailing the student's disappearance, Metallica has donated $50,000 to the reward; the total stands at $150,000. Thus far, police haven't announced any major leads in the investigation.

The Search Continues

On Wednesday, October 21, several days after Morgan's disappearance, University of Virginia Police and the Virginia State Police held a press conference in order to discuss the progression of the case.

The departments announced that they have thoroughly searched the area around the John Paul Jones Arena, including Davenport Field, Klockner Stadium, and the woods surrounding these areas.

As a result of their efforts, police have recovered some of Morgan's possessions.

"We have a purse and we have a cell phone. We have a missing girl," said Lt. Joe Rader. "Those are the facts. We need to draw conclusions based on tips and other facts that surround the situation that particular evening."

Police are still urging the public to check media devices, such as camera, cellphones and video cameras that may have captured an image of Morgan.

At the press conference, Lt. Rader also stated, "This is a missing person investigation. It is, however, being handled from the methodology of a criminal investigation. Why would we do that? Because we still have not located the victim. We do not know whether she is alive or has met some kind of ill fate."

Thus far, investigators have not collected any evidence or information suggesting that criminal conduct may have transpired.