The search for Morgan Dana Harrington continues after the 20-year-old Virginia Tech student disappeared Saturday Oct. 17 from the Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena.
Virginia State Police and University Police are moving the investigation forward after the story went nationwide yesterday, Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller.
"Since yesterday's evening news cycle when we took the story statewide, we have received a couple dozen phone calls," she said. "We are now pursuing those leads. During the course of today we have been looking into tips and leads, making sure nothing is out of the ordinary or has been overlooked, and doing searches in the air and on ground."
Police have conducted aerial and ground searches with canines near the John Paul Jones Arena in addition to conducting interviews with her friends and family members. Police found Harrington's purse with her cell phone and identification in the parking lot of JPJ.
Although the State Police Department cannot release any new developments to the public at this time, Geller said "there is no evidence to prove that foul play took place. This is still a missing persons investigation."
Harrington drove to Charlottesville with a classmate and friend from James Madison University to attend the concert. She was last seen around 8:45 p.m., at what time it is believed she was separated from her friends. These friends are the last to report speaking with her. The 5-foot-6, 120-pound junior with blonde hair and blue eyes was last seen wearing a black T-shirt that read "Pantera" in tan letters, a black miniskirt, black tights and black boots.
After not hearing from his daughter, Harrington's father, Dan Harrington, reported her missing at 12:30 p.m. the next day.
Reverend Diane Scribner Clevenger, the Harrington's pastor at a Unity church in Roanoke has been serving as the family's spokesperson. Scribner Clevenger said the family saw Morgan before she left for the Metallica concert Saturday and noted that she was "not at all" acting out of the ordinary.
Holding back tears during a press conference Monday, Mr. Harrington asked anyone who may have seen someone who looks like his daughter to contact the police.
"If Morgan's out there and hears us, please come home," he said. "And if someone has Morgan, please let her go."
Mark Owczarski, director of news and information at Virginia Tech, said the school is meanwhile keeping its students, faculty and staff members informed.
"We have posted the missing notice to our home page along with photos and sent e-mails around to all students, faculty and staff to make everyone aware," he said. "We are following the lead of the police investigators and will do whatever they will find helpful."
State investigators urge anyone on Grounds with information about Harrington's whereabouts to call (434) 352-3435 or e-mail bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.
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