UPDATE: Friday, January 29, 2:55pm: Virginia State Police just announced that the $150,000 reward being offered for any information leading to the discovery of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington has not been awarded at this time.
According to statement by VSP spokeperson Corinne Geller, the money was not awarded to “the Albemarle County landowner where Morgan’s remains were discovered this week. Crime Stoppers is evaluating the situation as the investigation into Morgan’s death continues.”
In the meantime, “Virginia State Police, University of Virginia Police, Albemarle County Police and Charlottesville Police are still working together actively pursuing the new information, evidence, and leads that have become available since the discovery and confirmation of Morgan’s remains. Still no word yet on a cause or time of death,” writes Geller.
C-VILLE’s coverage of the Harrington case continues below.
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UPDATE: Thursday, January 28, 2:50pm. Virginia State Police issued a press release to address rumors of an arrest related to the death of Morgan Harrington.
"No arrest has been made in the ongoing criminal investigation into the death of Morgan Harrington," says VSP Public Relations Manager Corinne Geller. "Just after noon Thursday, state and local investigators concluded their evidentiary search and canvassing efforts on the farm property where the remains were discovered Tuesday morning. The investigation continues at this time."
The website TechSideline.com hosts a message board where rumors regarding the Harrington case have appeared. The website BlinkOnCrime.com has a post on the rumors as well.
C-VILLE’s coverage of the Harrington case continues below.
UPDATE: 2:25pm [photos below, plus video footage from yesterday’s interview with David Bass]. During a press conference at the Copeley Road bridge, where Morgan Harrington was last seen alive, Dan Harrington thanked law enforcement and locals for their search efforts, then told reporters: "Even though Morgan has been found, she’s been murdered." The Harrington family was not allowed onto Anchorage Farm due to investigation of the crime scene, but surveyed the scene by helicopter last night.
According to Dan Harrington, there are no immediate memorial plans. "We just found out from police that, although they have positively identified Morgan’s body this morning, that the medical examiner will not release her body probably for another five or six days," said Harrington.
Speaking about the location where his daughter’s remains were found, Dan Harrington said that his understanding was "this is not a random place that someone came upon accidentally." The medical examiner has not yet released a cause of death.
"This is known to someone here," he said. "It’s a local person. And as I’ve said all along, Morgan would be found within five miles of this bridge, and it was probably a local person. And I’m sure I’m 100 percent right." [Anchorage Farm is located a bit over 10 miles from Copeley Road bridge.]
Dan Harrington was joined by his wife, Gil, and their son, Alex. Gil Harrington said: "We are happy to have resolution. We are very happy to know that Morgan very likely, as Dan has said, did not live through the time of the concert. She was a long time in that field. I am happy that she was not alive long, enduring unspeakable things." No further details were given to clarify Gil Harrington’s statements.
From left, Gil Harrington, son Alex Harrington, and Dan Harrington
The Harrington family speaks to the press
The Harrington family ties a black ribbon above a yellow memorial ribbon on the Copeley Road bridge.
VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM YESTERDAY’S INTERVIEW WITH DAVID BASS:
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UPDATE: 1:10pm. The Harringtons are currently talking to the press at the Copeley Road Bridge, near the John Paul Jones Arena. Dan Harrington, Morgan’s father, says his daughter "has been found and has been murdered."
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UPDATE: Virginia State Police confirmed that the remains found at Anchorage Farm yesterday morning are those of Morgan Harrington. Dental records, which were provided by Harrington’s parents in November, were used to ID the body.
Dan Harrington, Morgan’s father (who, with his wife Gil, is currently in Charlottesville) released this statement:
“Morgan’s mother, Gil, and I are overwhelmingly saddened by yesterday’s discovery, but we are also relieved because our questions can now be answered and we can give our daughter a proper burial. We know that because of the good life Morgan led and the love she created for everyone around her, she is now in a safer, better place. We appreciate everyone’s respect for our privacy at this difficult time and we thank everyone who has helped us through this tragedy and helped us find Morgan.”
This morning the memorial on the bridge near John Paul Jones Arena where Morgan Harrington was reportedly last seen alive featured a new sign thanking locals for assistance in helping to find Harrington.
Staff reporter Chiara Canzi contributed to this report
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During a press conference, Colonel Steven Flaherty, the superintendent of the Virginia State Police, told the assembled crowd that "based on evidence…we’re fairly confident that the remains are those of Morgan Dana Harrington." [Read C-VILLE’s updates here, and see photos from the farm and press conference below.]
The remains have been moved from David Bass’ Anchorage Farm to the office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Richmond. Flaherty said that state police "cannot release the evidence that leads us to this conclusion at this particular time." However, Bass told C-VILLE that "[t]here were some clothes" found near the remains. Harrington was last seen in a black "Pantera" t-shirt, a black miniskirt, black tights and black knee-high boots, along with a Swarovski necklace.
Rader stated that, while the state police had conducted several spot searches based on information, Anchorage Farm "was not one of them."
"We now have something to lead us in a new direction," he said, and added moments later: "We still proceed as if this is a homicide investigation." Rader also stressed the importance of maintaining the "sanctity" of the investigation.
Promptly following the press conference, Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger released an open letter about today’s news. "For more than three months, the entire Virginia Tech community…has held out hope for the safe return of Morgan Harrington. Sadly, today’s news from Albemarle County has put an end to that hope, and once again, we find our strength and resilience tested in the face of profound grief and loss."
C-VILLE also received e-mail statements from UVA Chief Operating Office Leonard Sandridge and Congressman Tom Perriello, included below:
Statement from Congressman Tom Perriello:
“With a very heavy heart, my prayers are with the Harrington family and all those who loved Morgan. I extend my gratitude to the Virginia State Police who worked so diligently on this case, the UVA community, and the hundreds of volunteers and concerned community members who helped with the search. We all mourn this tragedy and stand with arms outstretched to the Harrington family.”
Statement from UVA COO Leornard Sandridge:
"The University community is deeply saddened by today’s news about Morgan Harrington. Our hearts go out to Morgan’s parents, Gil and Dan, to her brother, Alex, and to our friends in the Virginia Tech community at this very difficult time.
"We have assured the Harrington family of our concern and offered to assist them in any way we can.
"We are grateful to members of the larger community for the extraordinary support and commitment they have exhibited since Morgan’s disappearance. We had all hoped and prayed for a different outcome. The University Police Department will continue to do all it can to support the Virginia State Police as they work to solve this case."