Police Ask for Help in Disappearance of Virginia Tech Student

October 19, 2009 — The Virginia State Police and University of Virginia Police ask that anyone who saw Morgan Harrington or someone matching her description any time after Saturday evening to contact them immediately.

The contact number for the state police is 434-352-3435, and the e-mail address is bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov. Information can also be called into U.Va. Police at 434-924-7166 or sent to police@virginia.edu.

Harrington, a 20-year-old Virginia Tech junior from Roanoke County, came to U.Va. Saturday for the Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena. She and a friend met another friend at James Madison University and they traveled to Charlottesville. She became separated from her friends around 8:40 p.m. Saturday.

Harrington's father, Dr. Daniel P. Harrington, notified police Sunday afternoon that his daughter hadn't come home as expected. Harrington is associate dean of Roanoke programs for the U.Va. School of Medicine.

Morgan Dana Harrington was last seen wearing black T-shirt with "Pantera" written on the front in tan letters. She also had on a black mini-skirt with black tights and knee-high, black boots.

At a press conference Monday afternoon, Lt. Joe A. Rader of the Virginia State Police said the investigation into Harrington's disappearance is being handled as a missing person case. He said thorough searches are being made of the area around the arena by helicopter and K9 units.

"We encourage her friends: You know her habits. Please take an interest in this case," he said.

Fighting tears, Dan and Gil Harrington said at the press conference that the lack of communication is not like their daughter. "If Morgan is out there and can hear this, please come home," Dan Harrington said.