Statements from Police, Hannah's parents, and Commonwealth's Attorney:
Albemarle County Police Department Press Release
On Saturday, October 18th human remains were discovered in southern Albemarle County.
The remains were sent to the Medical Examiner's Office in Richmond for examination and positive identification. The Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed that these are the remains of Hannah Graham, 18, of Fairfax, Va.
Following the positive identification, Albemarle County Police Chief, Colonel Steve Sellers and ACPD Detective Sergeant Terry Walls notified Hannah's parents, John and Sue Graham. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Graham family and Hannah's friends during this incredibly difficult time. We ask that you respect their privacy.
We also ask for your cooperation as we now move forward with the death investigation. Since the discovery along Old Lynchburg Road, officers and detectives have been working around the clock to process the scene and preserve evidence.
Our focus is on the investigation and therefore, we will not be answering questions regarding the case or investigation. We do ask that people continue to call in with tips or information. We are asking to hear from individuals who live along Old Lynchburg Road or who might have seen suspicious behavior in the area following Hannah's disappearance. The Charlottesville PD tip line remains open at 434-295-3851.
We continue to work with our local, state and federal partners. We are working with the Charlottesville Police Department, the Fairfax City Police Department and the Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Appomattox Field Office which is the lead agency on the Morgan Harrington investigation.
We would like to thank everyone for their continued support during this difficult time. We remain committed to this investigation and will work to ensure that justice is served.
Statement from John and Sue Graham
When we first met Chief Longo he promised to find our precious daughter, Hannah, and during five long weeks his resolve to fulfill that promise never wavered. When we started this journey together we all hoped for a happier ending. Sadly that was not to be, but due to the tenacity and determination of Chief Longo, Hannah is coming home to us and we will be eternally grateful to him for this.
The search for Hannah would not have been successful were it not for the many, many people who helped, including Mark Eggeman and VDEM, local, state and federal law enforcement officers, the staff of the City of Charlottesville, and the dedicated members of numerous volunteer search and rescue groups. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We also give our heartfelt thanks to all those who took part in the community search, to the citizens of Charlottesville, and to the individuals, businesses and organizations, both local and national, who provided untold resources to help support the search for Hannah. We would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to those who provided support to us and to our family throughout this ordeal, including the staff and students of the University of Virginia, our friends, neighbors and work colleagues, the staff and students of West Potomac High School, Hannah's friends, and the countless kind people who have sent us messages of support. We thank you all.
We are devastated by the loss of our beautiful daughter, Hannah. Over recent weeks Hannah has been described by those who know her as bright, witty, thoughtful, loyal and fun to be around. She was all those things and more. Put simply, Hannah lit up our lives, the lives of our family and the lives of her friends and others who knew her. Although we have lost our precious Hannah, the light she radiated can never be extinguished. We will hold it in our hearts forever and it will help sustain us as we face a painful future without her. We are so very proud of Hannah and all that she achieved. Although only 18 years old, Hannah had just started her second year at the University of Virginia when she disappeared and was excelling academically. She loved U.Va. and the City of Charlottesville, and was very happy to return there after the summer break. Hannah had intended to pursue a career in global public health, she wanted to help others, and it is heart-breaking for us that she was robbed so tragically of the opportunity to fulfill her dream.
In closing we would like to draw attention to the fact that, although the waiting has ended for us, there are other families both in Virginia and beyond who have not been as fortunate in that their loved ones are still missing. Please continue to hold these families in your thoughts and prayers.
We do not intend to make any further statements at this time, nor to comment on the ongoing criminal investigation. We ask the media to respect our privacy and that of our family as we continue to grieve.
John and Sue Graham
October 24, 2014
Alexandria, Virginia
Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney for the County of Albemarle Press Release
Today, the Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that the remains found in southern Albemarle County on October 18, 2014, are those of Hannah Graham. Denise Lunsford,Commonwealth's Attorney for the County of Albemarle, and her office extend their deepest sympathies to Mr. and Mrs. Graham, Hannah's brother and their family and friends.
We would like to thank the many volunteers and law enforcement personnel who spent five weeks searching tirelessly in hopes of bringing Hannah home. Your dedication and perseverance bring solace to a community that has been shaken by a senseless, horrific crime.
The focus of the investigation now is to determine what charges will be brought and the appropriate time to make those charges. We are working diligently with local law enforcement on the investigation to ensure that we make the best determination for our community and the Grahams in the pursuit of justice.
We realize that the media has a lot of questions, but
it is of the upmost importance that all media outlets know that the Office of the Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney will not comment on this case or the investigation. We will take whatever measures necessary to ensure the integrity of this highly sensitive investigation and any possible prosecution. We further appreciate your cooperation in respecting the privacy of the Grahams during this incredibly difficult time.
Please continue to contact your local law enforcement with tips or information.
http://www.nbc29.com/story/26886621...rms-hannah-grahams-remains-found-in-albemarle
Neal Augenstein ‏
Brad Luck ‏
