Clint Van Zandt - former FBI Criminal Profiler, Hostage Negotiator, and current TV and News Media Crime Analyst

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Where in the world is Missing VA Tech Student Morgan Harrington?

Missing Poster

Morgan Harrington

Red dot marks location where Harrington's purse and cell phone (minus the battery) were found

Morgan Harrington, a 20-year-old VA Tech college student and a small group of close friends bought their tickets for the October 17th Metallica concert at the University of Virginia (UVA) over six months ago. Morgan spent the morning before the concert picking out her outfit to wear that night, finally settling on a black mini skirt, black tights, knee high black boots and a black Pantera t-shirt. She then met up with her friends and was off to see the concert she had waited almost half a year to attend.

When she walked into the large, $131 million dollar John Paul Jones Arena at UVA, she had her purse, her ever present cell phone and her “golden ticket” for the concert. Warm up bands played before Metallica took the stage, and while thousands of others enjoyed the music, Morgan decided to make a bathroom run to one of the 18 different women’s restrooms within the complex. At about 8:30 PM (40 minutes before Metallica took to the stage) she left her friends behind, walked from her reserved seat and somehow wound up walking out of the arena in her search for a restroom. One report indicates she was told that by arena officials that should she exit the arena, she could not return, but nonetheless she would soon call one of her friends seated in the arena, indicating she was outside, could not get back in, and would find her own way home. This was her last known contact with family or friends, but these same friends somehow failed to let her parents know they had lost touch with her, and it would be another 12 hours before her father would realize his daughter was missing and call authorities, a critical time period in any missing person investigation. This is not to blame her friends; she is 20 and obviously responsible for herself, but what did her friends think had happened to her?

A missing person investigation was initiated by authorities and soon Morgan’s purse and her ever present cell phone would be located in a parking lot separate from the one Morgan and her friends had parked in. Her phone had the battery removed, something state police would say could have been an accident, but with so many high profile missing person’s cases in the news, there are few who wouldn’t know that when the battery is removed from a cell phone, law enforcement’s ability to trace the phone by the “pings” hitting off nearby cellular towers is defeated. But if she was kidnapped, did her abductors miss seeing her purse fall to the pavement as they struggled to force her into a car or van, or were these items just left to point law enforcement in a different direction; perhaps a red herring? We just don’t know.

Since her disappearance, sightings of Morgan have been reported in both the local Virginia area and across the country, even as far away as New Mexico. It was to New Mexico that Jennifer Wilbanks, the so-called “runaway bride,” fled in April 2005 when she faked her own kidnapping to escape her wedding day. Many will also remember Audrey Seiler, the then 20-year-old University of Wisconsin student who in April 2004 faked her own kidnapping to get the attention of her otherwise inattentive boyfriend. And then there was 22-year-old Furqan Muhammad-Harron, the Canadian college student who faked his kidnapping, and just last month state police stopped a car on the NY State Thruway after drivers reported seeing a woman in a van with duct tape across her mouth holding a sign that said “Help me! I’ve been kidnapped.” This proved to be nothing but a college prank when troopers who were not laughing stopped the potential kidnap vehicle. None of this is to suggest that Morgan was cut from the same emotional cloth as Jennifer or Audrey before her, but without overt evidence of a kidnapping, investigators must pursue a two-track investigation that considers the possibility that she was a victim of unknown others, or, in the remote, a “victim” of herself. Morgan’s family and friends believe she was abducted and that is the current working theory; but if kidnapped, who did it and where in the world is Morgan Harrington?

All of the usual investigative aids appear to have been of little help to police and the FBI in their search for Morgan. A review of the images on all surveillance cameras surrounding the arena parking lot has failed to provide an picture of her, while a grainy image of someone thought possibly to be Morgan, someone standing near the stage during the concert, has not been positively identified as the missing coed with her father noting the woman in the picture, unlike his daughter, was not wearing tights. The so-called eyewitness sightings have also proven to be of little help. While some actually saw Morgan and her friends enter the concert arena, reports of her being involved in an altercation with a number of unidentified men outside of the arena has not been verified, and recent sightings on the UVA campus and across the local area have failed to locate the young woman. A search of a suspect vehicle in the parking lot of a local motel by bloodhounds also failed to provide a trail to the missing person. As in most cases, a reward has been posted, one now totaling $150,000, representing funds put up by Morgan’s parents, her father’s associates, and a $50,000 contribution by Metallica. While history has shown such rewards to be of little help, we all know that it only takes one person with some shred of information on the missing woman to help locate her and, after all, it allows others to “help” in the challenging search.

Posters with Morgan’s smiling face can be found across Virginia, something like the “milk carton kids” who have been missing for years whose parents, like Dan and Gil Harrington, go to bed every night hoping beyond hope that they will awake and find their daughter’s disappearance to be a very bad dream they somehow shared together, one that every morning is, unfortunately, far too real.

Initial theories concerning Morgan’s disappearance suggested that perhaps she had been slipped a date rape drug and been led away by her abductor; or perhaps she tried to get into a rear entrance to the arena and became the victim of some unknown predator, groupie or roadie; or maybe she had had an accident and simply not yet been found; or could she have simply needed a “time out” in her life and took it this way, now sitting in some motel or friend’s residence trying to find a way to come back while preserving her dignity. But would she willingly let her parents grieve in such a terrible manner? Again “no” say family and friends alike.

Dr. and Mrs. Harrington know too well that missing Florida 7-year-old Somer Thompson was found murdered after she disappeared two weeks ago, but they, like so many other frightened parents, cling to the story of Elizabeth Smart or Jaycee Dugard, believing beyond belief that their child could be the recipient of a miracle recovery, either days, months, or even years later. These are the parents who never change their home address or their cell phone number, and who leave the emotional porch light turned on every night, hoping beyond hope, like Beth Holloway Twitty, mother of still missing Natalee Holloway continues to do night after night after night since her daughter disappeared in Aruba on May 30, 2005.

While investigators and friends alike continue their quest to find the missing college student, Morgan’s mother points out the fact that Halloween is approaching and she fears for the children of other parents when they take to the neighborhoods across America on October 31. But while the investigation continues, there are lessons to be learned from this case to include the following:

Like Tom Cruise learned in the movie “Top Gun,” you never leave your wingman, and in the case of young and old alike, when you have a friend accompany you, you are responsible for each other. When you walk home from school, across campus, or go to the rest room at a concert, if at all possible go with a friend for if alone, some will see you as a potential victim.

Never drink from anything but a sealed container. Many believe that Natalee Holloway may have been slipped a date rape drug that contributed to her feared demise.

Yell, scream, fight and run from any potential abductor. No matter what your kidnapper says, make as much noise and attract as much attention to your plight as you can.

If forced into the front seat of your assaliant's vehicle, jump over the seat and try to escape from a rear door. Grab the keys to your kidnapper’s vehicle and throw them out the window, or jam on the brakes, or throw the gear shift into reverse, or otherwise cause an accident that could ultimately save your life.

UPDATE -

During a press conference Wednesday morning (10/28), Virginia State Police released a detailed timeline of events and places where Morgan Harrington may have been seen October 17.

Lt. Joe Rader says, "We know we do not have all the information...that will help resolve this case."

Rader says between 8:20 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., witnesses saw someone matching Harrington's description at several locations outside the John Paul Jones arena.

Rader says from 8:30 p.m. to 8:48 p.m., a person matching Harrington's description was seen outside the arena.

At 8:48 p.m., Harrington had a phone conversation with a friend telling them she was outside the arena. Harrington told her friends she would try to get a ride ride home from friends in Charlottesville.

From 8:48 p.m. to 9 p.m., Rader says more witnesses saw Harrington outside the arena. He says there is no credible information saying she reentered the arena.

From 9 p.m. to 9:10 p.m., Rader says someone appearing to be Harrington, who was carrying a black purse, was walking through the University Hall area. He says no one can confirm whether or not she was with someone.

He adds someone matching Harrington's description was confirmed to be in the Lannigan Field parking area between 9:10 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.

Rader says, at about 9:20 p.m., the witnesses who identified her left the area. He says there is no information that Harrington left with any of those witnesses.

From 9:20 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Rader says witnesses saw someone appearing to be Harrington on a nearby bridge. Rader says this is the last confirmed sighting.

"Somewhere out there lies...the vital line that we need," says Rader.

Investigators have subsequently indicated that eye witnesses who saw Morgan outside the arena after 8:30 PM claim that she had some type of facial injury, one not consistent with an assault but more consistent with a fall or other type of accidental injury.

------------------------------------------

For more information on escaping a kidnapper or other matters of personal and family safety, to include a free copy of our DVD “Protecting Children from Predators,” see www.LiveSecure.org.

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{"commentId":10328079,"authorDomain":"roover685"}

This is baffling.  I can't fathom that she accidentally ended up outside while trying to locate a bathroom.  Also, I'm wondering if the arena's policy about not allowing her back in is confirmed and if so, if they have located the official who allegedly told the girl this.  I have a hard time believing that the friends merely shrugged off Morgan's 
"bad luck" being stuck outside the arena.  I imagine this sort of news resulting in some group indignation among this close group of friends and them trying to convince officials to let their friend back in at least!  I wonder if Morgan was forced to assure her friends in a way that wouldn't arouse their suspicions -- perhaps by an abductor.  But I am holding out hope that for unforseen reasons, Morgan decided to "run away" from her life and that she will be eventually found safe. The battery removed from the cell phone is intriguing for sure.

{"commentId":10328079,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"roover685"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:49 AM EDT
Reply
{"commentId":10328080,"authorDomain":"roover685"}

This is baffling.  I can't fathom that she accidentally ended up outside while trying to locate a bathroom.  Also, I'm wondering if the arena's policy about not allowing her back in is confirmed and if so, if they have located the official who allegedly told the girl this.  I have a hard time believing that the friends merely shrugged off Morgan's 
"bad luck" being stuck outside the arena.  I imagine this sort of news resulting in some group indignation among this close group of friends and them trying to convince officials to let their friend back in at least!  I wonder if Morgan was forced to assure her friends in a way that wouldn't arouse their suspicions -- perhaps by an abductor.  But I am holding out hope that for unforseen reasons, Morgan decided to "run away" from her life and that she will be eventually found safe. The battery removed from the cell phone is intriguing for sure.

{"commentId":10328080,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"roover685"}
    Reply#2 - Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:50 AM EDT
    {"commentId":10339705,"authorDomain":"LPez"}

    I said a prayer for her (Morgan). When they do find her alive, she will need a lot of loving care. She obviously will not be the same. As for the predator, my heart & mind speaks louder than the law. Don't be afraid to react. If it were me, I would require that he get his penis cut off and his head shot as payment for destroying a precious life dead or alive. This will ensure that he will not do it again. The same goes for all those who are monsters. It would certainly be good if the law will allow it (to penalize them in this way). God Bless her soul and her family.

    {"commentId":10339705,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"LPez"}
      Reply#3 - Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:36 PM EDT
      {"commentId":10348053,"authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}

      LPez,

      Should Morgan be the victim of someone like you have written about, we can only hope that you'll be on the jury...

      Best,

      CVZ

      {"commentId":10348053,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}
        #3.1 - Wed Oct 28, 2009 10:30 PM EDT
        {"commentId":10427675,"authorDomain":"cdogthegreat"}

        Hi Clint ( my name is also Clint )

        I have a ton of questions regarding this case, but more importantly I have suggestions on things like " did the authorities check this out " or "have they talked with this person" , or " did they consider looking at this " I'm constantly wondering have the police or FBI look at every possible angle; and, if they haven't, could my suggestions be helpful.

        I have a lot of suggestions.

        Do you know how someone like myself can get my ideas or suggestions to the appropriate law enforcement, fbi, media, etc...

        I want to help, and I hope I can!

        {"commentId":10427675,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"cdogthegreat"}
          #3.2 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 1:01 PM EST
          {"commentId":10428686,"authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}

          Clint,

          While the investigators would likely welcome solid information concerning the missing woman, they, like you, have probably considered the many "what abouts." There is a tip telephone line as well as someone can send tips to the FBI via its web site.

          I can only hope that all of the investigative alternatives that you and I could suggest have already been discussed by the team working this case.

          Best,

          CVZ

          {"commentId":10428686,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}
            #3.3 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 1:42 PM EST
            {"commentId":10428964,"authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}

            Cdog89

            FYI, these are the specific tip lines, etc.

            There is a Help Find Morgan Web Site, as well as a telephone tip line, (434) 352-3467. In addition, Virginia State Police e-mail is bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov – while other tips may be sent to: info@findmorgan.com

            cvz

            {"commentId":10428964,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}
              #3.4 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 1:52 PM EST
              Reply
              {"commentId":10385716,"authorDomain":"caroaber"}

              I certainly hope no violence was perpetrated, but I don't see why this story is getting national attention when it is a local news story.

              Ms. Harrington is an adult, not a minor, and experience has shown that young adults sometimes choose to "disappear" when they are conflicted or prefer to leave their problems behind. It may mystify the friends and familiy, but it happens--often. Amber Alerts are issued for missing children, but adults who go missing don't always even generate police reports within the first 48 hours of their disappearance.

              I do hope Ms. Harrington is well. But I'm skeptical of the media's apparent rush to grasp onto the next pretty white woman in peril story. Give the Virginia police and surrounding state authorities the room and the time to follow this report to its logical conclusion.

              {"commentId":10385716,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"caroaber"}
                Reply#4 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:24 PM EDT
                {"commentId":10426625,"authorDomain":"Janinaz"}

                I think she ran away. For her sake, I hope I am right.

                {"commentId":10426625,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"Janinaz"}
                  Reply#5 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 12:18 PM EST
                  {"commentId":10427291,"authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}

                  Janice

                  She spent quite a bit of time wandering around outside of the arena as to make her actions questionable? I too hope she is a runaway because as such, she would like still be alive...

                  CVZ

                  {"commentId":10427291,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}
                    #5.1 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 12:45 PM EST
                    Reply
                    {"commentId":10427545,"authorDomain":"cdogthegreat"}

                    Hi Clint ( my name is also Clint )

                    I have a ton of questions regarding this case, but more importantly I have suggestions on things like " did the authorities check this out " or "have they talked with this person" , or " did they consider looking at this " I'm constantly wondering have the police or FBI look at every possible angle; and, if they haven't, could my suggestions be helpful.

                    I have a lot of suggestions.

                    Do you know how someone like myself can get my ideas or suggestions to the appropriate law enforcement, fbi, media, etc...

                    I want to help, and I hope I can!

                    {"commentId":10427545,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"cdogthegreat"}
                      Reply#6 - Mon Nov 2, 2009 12:56 PM EST
                      {"commentId":10477811,"authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}

                      I'm sorry to state I disagree with you, Mr. Van Zandt.

                      The first 3 hours is crucial for survival,

                      she's a normal healthy good looking 20 year old

                      and for sure with this kinda national coverage, she wouldn't

                      torment her parents and investigators, in the believe someone had abducted her or worse, if all she for real is, are a runaway.

                      For whatever reason she ran away, by now if she could, she would have told

                      someone, that she just ran away.

                      So now Mr. Van Zandt. You better make a profile and find out, who in her nearest

                      surrounding, fits that profile and have abducted her.

                      my feeling is that she's still alive, and her abductor, is someone she knows,

                      I dunno why, so don't ask me, it's just a feeling I have.

                      So you're looking for one there had/have a crush on her.

                      X Boyfriend or one, there believed he was entitled to more, than she Would give and found a solution, when he knew, she was going to that concert.

                      I would check the "messenger", not as a suspect at first, but as the last person

                      talking to her, was the cellphone call confirmed by the others in the group? did any other in the group hear her actual voice on the cell? or the words "she have left" is only from him?, granted it was a concert and noisy, but there must be hints like : why didn't she show anger, over paying for a ticket to see a concert, there for whatever reason now had locked her out?

                      where's the doorman? who locked/let her out and again who denied her to enter back in? "as I saw somewhere she didn't had the ticket on her", is that verified or just an educated guess? who was in charge of the doors? did she leave and door closed behind her? it's an arena so there's security cameras, why is no info taken from those?, was she alone, leaving the building?, is the question?

                      Do we at all know, that she left the building?, not as a guess, but seen her leave on a camera and she was alone? if she have left by own accord, why didn't it ring a bell in her friends heads "how is she getting back home, without a car or a ride?" or was that expected behavior, that she would just by impulse leave?

                      Or did she not at all leave? but was abducted inside the building and first removed after concert was over? I hope all this is checked,

                      If predator, if it's any there didn't know her!, but chose her as random victim,

                      What in this kinda case scenario, is out of the ordinary, but does happen, if that's the case here, it's an employer within the arena, or an official from band camp, someone with access,

                      if that's the case, look after her body,in dumpster or landfill, if she left or hitched a ride, what I for real seriously doubt, if not she had called someone she knew and trusted.

                      She's pretty and know she is and also know she would be a target, if she would go with a total stranger, everything is open, but as I stated, at the beginning, I feel she's alive and it's a person she know and maybe trusted, there have her.

                      cell battery is missing because he wanted the phone found, so no one would take it because battery was missing and the investigators would know last call, was too the arena why I dunno, just know it's important to him, also put in a location, away from where they was parked, again it makes no sense, but does to him, rational thinking make abductors dangerous, but this guy isn't sophisticated enough, just does he think he is smart, I don't necessary think he is dumb, just do I think he is younger in his mind than his age and think the distractions he made, would leave him out as a suspect.In other words a classmate or similar aged male friend of hers, only danger I see here is if he know he will loose his price he will kill her,

                      Everything to him, is all or nothing, even he is desperate, he is coherent and always have a second answer ready, I even feel investigators already might have questioned him, I even believe he is cleared as suspect,since no red flags was raised in there conversation/s.

                      Demoness.

                      PS. I wrote this too you days ago, but I didn't have access to this website when I wrote it and when I pressed send, it stated I was banned, so saved it to I had access, so I'm sorry for this late message.

                      no answer necessary. and didn't made this statement, to make an argument.

                      {"commentId":10477811,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}
                        Reply#7 - Wed Nov 4, 2009 4:14 PM EST
                        {"commentId":10489649,"authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}

                        XDemon,

                        Good points on your part. As you can see, my article was written when she was first reported missing. I agree with you that as time goes on the runaway theory becomes more remote. Her parents indicated she had friends living in the local area. Whe she left the arena, as evidently witnessed by arena workers, and as she spent an hour or more wandering around the arena, as reported by witnesses, why didn't she call friends, her parents, or a cab?

                        Many questions tobe answered. Were she the victim of an abduction, it becomes harder to think of where she could be now if alive, but that's the job of the investigators working the case. They need help, though, from anyone in the public who saw anything after she allegedly was seen crossing a bridge on foot more than an hour after she left the concert.

                        Best,

                        CVZ

                        {"commentId":10489649,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"clintvanzandt"}
                          Reply#8 - Thu Nov 5, 2009 9:00 AM EST
                          {"commentId":10513299,"authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}

                          CVZ

                          Thats a duck, a make believe, or just someone, there think she saw her.

                          Crime scene is the place inside the arena or outside on the parking lot, she never left the place, meaning from parking lot and out, her handbag and missing cell phone battery, states that alone, case is old now, I don't have new info, just do I know, when I wrote my first sentence too you, that she wasn't among the dead.

                          Now it's a different matter. I dont ask for the demons to be there or involve me, they are just there, if they leave me alone, I am all happy, so in the momment, I cant state a thing.

                          Demoness.

                          {"commentId":10513299,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}
                            Reply#9 - Thu Nov 5, 2009 11:56 PM EST
                            {"commentId":10699654,"authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}

                            CVZ.

                            wonder if you can answer me one question?

                            Who besides Lars Ulrich of all the bands present that night have a heavy English accent and wasn't on stage at the time she disappeared from the group, prob a singer or guitarist not a drummer.?

                            if souch person excist, start concentrating on him.

                            Demoness.

                            {"commentId":10699654,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"XDemonessX"}
                              #9.1 - Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:39 AM EST
                              Reply
                              {"commentId":10820907,"authorDomain":"LKTucker"}

                              There is critical information in the story of this disappearance that points to other college student disappearances like Brian Shaffer. Maura Murray, Michael Negrete, Josh Guimond, or Justin Gains. As you can see from the names most were athletic males. Shaffer was a 27 year-old med student.

                              Morgan was seen to fall and was unable to communicate when she stood. Identified by clothing and the facial injury from the fall she was seen crying in the restroom. After that point she wandered outside. Police verify 'limited interaction' with several people while she crossed two parking lots. She was last seen attempting to hitch hike on a railroad overpass bridge.

                              There was nothing in any interview that someone held her, forced her, or took her purse. In fact had there been an altercation it would have been observed by those people police interviewed.

                              The cell battery is missing. It was not found on the ground nor was it in the purse. So what happened? Best guess is that she removed it. That's all that is left when you take everything else into account.

                              What could cause this bizarre behavior. There have been other student disappearances that happened in mid phone call. The two I can recall were found suicides. They were speaking to family or school friends one minute and gone the next.One climbed into a hotel air plenum and the other diverted his return to school and drove fifty miles then down a boat ramp.

                              Forty years ago designers found a problem capable of causing mental breaks for office workers. It is believed to cause a harmless temporary episode of confusion. It's the only problem that strikes like lightening. The cubicle was designed to deal with it in business offices by 1968. Schools are unaware such a problem exists or could exist.

                              Subliminal Distraction is explained in first semester college psychology under psychophysics, the physiology of sight, and peripheral vision reflexes.

                              Some of these students recover and return. Matthew Wilson, Rice - Houston, was found in Berkeley, California after eight months. Ahmad Arain, UCLA, recovered and emailed home from Mexico after six weeks.

                              There are others missing decades. Ron Tammen's disappearance from Miami of Ohio is so strange the school maintains a site about it after fifty years. In that case other students had disappeared then returned with amnesia of the events during the disappearance. They wrote letters to Tammen's parents assuring them he would return too.

                              If Morgan is a fugue victim she may phone home any day. There is nothing to show she was abducted.

                              VisionAndPsychosis.Net is a seven year investigation with other cases on the Dissociative Fugue, Missing Students, and Mysterious Disappearances pages.

                              {"commentId":10820907,"threadId":"711239","contentId":"3431855","authorDomain":"LKTucker"}
                                Reply#10 - Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:45 PM EST
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