Although Jesse “L.J.” Matthew has been in police custody since his arrest on Wednesday on a beach in Galveston, Texas, he hasn’t given police any new information to help them locate the woman he’s accused of abducting, said Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo at an afternoon press conference on Thursday.
“He invoked his right to remain silent,” Longo explained, citing Matthew’s visit to the Charlottesville Police station on Saturday, where he requested an attorney before eluding police later that day. “We can’t re-approach him until such time that he does otherwise.”
The extradition process of Matthew is underway, Longo said, noting that he expects the 32-year-old former taxi driver to arrive back in Charlottesville within days. He urged the community to keep the focus on finding Hannah Graham, the second year UVA student whose disappearance from the Downtown Mall in the early morning hours of Saturday, September 13, has attracted international media attention. Despite approximately 1,500 tips called in, there has been no sign of her.
“We don’t know where Hannah Graham is, and we have to find her,” said Longo, asking owners of rural properties in surrounding counties to search their land and check any wildlife or security video footage they may have collected between the early morning hours of Saturday, September 13 to today.
Additionally, he asked real estate agents in charge of vacant properties to perform such searches on behalf of the owners, and instructed all citizens who complete such searches to call the tip line to inform police that their land has been cleared so that the search teams can be used most efficiently.
In particular, Longo asked area residents to keep a lookout for her phone and for clothes resembling what Hannah was wearing the night she vanished—a sequined, cropped top, black capri pants, and white shoes. Her iPhone 5s has a pink case, Longo said. Anyone who discovers anything they believe could be evidence should not touch it but should contact the tip line.
Longo also pointedly spoke to people who know Matthew and may be aware of his habits and hobbies. Matthew likes to fish, Longo noted. “Where did he like to fish? Where did he go fishing?” he asked. “Was there a particular location that he was comfortable with? Our goal is to be as thorough as we possibly can. We can only do that with your help.”
Reached for comment earlier in the day, Matthew’s attorney Jim Camblos declined comment.
The reward for information leading to Hannah Graham has risen to $100,000. Anyone with any information that may be pertinent to the case should call the tip line at 295-3851 or visit a new tip website for the case at cpdtips@charlottesville.org.