Metallica Help FBI in Hunt For Killer
Metallica continue their efforts to help authorities solve the 2009 murder of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who disappeared while attending the band’s concert in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Harrington was at Metallica’s October 17, 2009 show at the John Paul Jones Arena on the University of Virginia (UVA) campus in Charlottesville, Virginia. At approximately 8:30 PM, she left the arena and was unable to re-enter the facility.
Morgan was last seen hitchhiking for a ride from passing traffic.
Harrington was dressed that night in a black T-shirt with the word “Pantera” spelled out in tan letters and was wearing a distinctive Swarovski crystal necklace made of large crystal chain links, which investigators have yet to recover.
Harrington’s “Pantera” T-shirt was found on November 11, 2009, in front of a row of apartments along 15th Street, NW near Grady Avenue in Charlottesville. Harrington’s skeletal remains were later discovered on January 26, 2010, in a remote field on an Albemarle County, Virginia farm along Route 29. A camera that Harrington had in her possession that night has never been recovered.
Metallica frontman James Hetfield has recorded a public service announcement to encourage the public to come forward with tips.
“Remember, any information – no matter how small you might think it is – could be that crucial piece investigators need to help solve the case,” explains Hetfield in the new video, part of a multimedia campaign launched by The FBI and Virginia State Police on Wednesday.
The Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Morgan Harrington’s murder. In addition, Metallica is adding $50,000 to the reward, for a total of $150,000.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Jefferson Area Crime Stoppers at 434-977-4000; or the Virginia State Police at 434-352-3467 or by email at bci-appomattox@vsp.virginia.gov.