Found Deceased VA - Morgan Dana Harrington, 20, Charlottesville, 17 Oct 2009 - #13

[Le Singe]

The "fact" that either the Harringtons or LE has/had asked the friends to remain quiet has not been confirmed by any one in an official position. A "friend" (who posts on the FM website) of the friends says she/he was told by the friends that Dr. Harrington had requested they remain quiet.

IMHO if this were true, Dr. Harrington (who has been asked the question on the FM forum) would have made a statement to that effect. By doing that he would have removed a lot of "heat" the friends have received as a result of their silence.

I believe the friends silence (not assuming any guilt or innocence here) is as a result of lawyers the friends have hired.

It seems to me that if a lawyers was to advise a client to be silent the first and most important people for them to be silent to would be the police, but by all accounts the frineds have cooperated fully with LE.

 

[LadyBug99]

Trying to get back on topic...

I read this on twitter today:

"Harrington family says cause of death waiting on DNA tests, which could take 5-6 months. about 2 hours ago"

http://twitter.com/cvillenews_desk

Since you guys have more knowledge on other cases, can someone please tell me if this is normal in a high profile case? TIA

 

[LogicalMinds]

??? Cause of death would not (IMHO) be related to dna tests

maybe they don't have a visable cause?? but they did say "murdered"

with bones...could be the neck bone/the small bone in front crushed (strangled)...??

or gunshot (shattered bone) ??

I am not sure that knife wounds would show in all cases

~~~~~
In regards to future caution...well Natalee Holloway's friends didn't watch out for her and surely Morgan and her friends heard of that case and it didn't seem to change much (her friends also drank and partied underage right after one of the candle vigils for her ..so much for friendship)

The case of the girl in NYC recently was similar..she left the club..some thought friends were covering for her..fortunately that one turned out ok

not to mention there are numerous underage drinking tragedies...car wrecks usually...the "keys" and designated driver were set to prevent that tragedy...

hindsight is great...the friends had one quick phone call, in a loud and crowded arena...and Morgan said she was going to try to get back in (taking their suggestions)....

the idea that they would leave the concert after that one call is pretty far fetched...and what "you" might do is not what a 20 year old who is drinkiing (or whatever) at a concert might do

The real "threat' is the fact that there is someone out there who murdered Morgan ...I don't think it is a "personal" case...IF it was "personal" it would mean that the public was relatively safer (ie, Scott Peterson wanted to kill his Pregnant wife....Drew Peterson apparently only was a danger to women he married)....

in a case like this where it is NOT personal (and I don't see any indication it was, no ex, no fiancee, not pregnant to a guy etc)....then I think the thing to concentrate on is the fact that others may be in danger

 

[Le Singe]

Is this a generational thing?

I did my share of partying when I was that age. I've had friends who were in somewhat similar circumstances (meaning separated) but we made sure we were all together in the end and everyone made it home ok (or was safe wherever they spent the night). In fact, it hasn't been that long ago that a friend who'd accompanied us out one night refused to leave and insisted she'd get a ride home. We took her to the car and drove her home, with her *****ing and complaining the whole way. There was no way on God's green earth we were leaving her there alone, and she didn't live 2-3 hours away either. Sure she was angry, but she got over it.

I just don't understand.

We all have our own opinion about how certain situations should be handled and we could agrue it forever. But the reality in this case is that even if they had tried to make sure everyone was "all together in the end" it would have already been too late what happened would have already happened. So I honestly don't think it would have change anything at all. I don't really think it was relievent to what happened.

 

[Le Singe]

Trying to get back on topic...

I read this on twitter today:

"Harrington family says cause of death waiting on DNA tests, which could take 5-6 months. about 2 hours ago"

http://twitter.com/cvillenews_desk

Since you guys have more knowledge on other cases, can someone please tell me if this is normal in a high profile case? TIA

In a high profile case in my area some years ago DNA was done within a day or two when it was fast tracked. Although I would not be suprised if 5-6 month was the right time frame if it is not fast tracked. Maybe they don't push it to the "fast track" unless they have someone or some other crime(s) to compare it to?

I wonder what dna has to do with the cause of death? maybe they meant toxicaloigy?

 

[burbqueen]

I have to tell ya at that age I wasnt that thoughtful or concerned that someone would kill any of my friends. You're young and niave. I think yeah hindsight is 20/20, but how you act after the fact is what I all up in arms about. I cant even begin to express how I angry I get. I can understand a few of her friends not moping around, but IMO it just seems they really didnt care that much, which has nothing to do with MH murder so far, but I dunno, just kinda rubs me wrong.

Hopefully soon we can found out who did this. Whoever killed her is truly to blame.

 

[LadyBug99]

In a high profile case in my area some years ago DNA was done within a day or two when it was fast tracked. Although I would not be suprised if 5-6 month was the right time frame if it is not fast tracked. Maybe they don't push it to the "fast track" unless they have someone or some other crime(s) to compare it to?

I wonder what dna has to do with the cause of death? maybe they meant toxicaloigy?

I'm waiting for cville.com to release their new story. They said they have additional info in next week's issue!

The way I read it, they were talking about a suspect's DNA. Obviously I could be wrong. Either way I would have hoped that this case would have been pushed to the front of the line. There is STILL a killer on the loose. Unless they have someone in custody on an unrelated charge...hmmm

 

[LadyBug99]

"Dan Harrington says it will take five or six months for dna results to come back to determine the exact cause of death."


http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892


What does DNA have to do with COD???:waitasec:

 

[shufly]

i would just like to say that i see a lot of comments about what people would have done in situations on these boards. not just this one but this one seems to have a lot of controversy over what the friends should have or shouldn't have done.

we all know that hindsight is 20/20 and since none of us were actually there or heard any of the conversation or plans, it's easy to sit here and think of how we would have reacted. myself included. however, the more i see about such situations, the happier i am that i got my daughter hooked on true crime, nancy grace, the first 48, this forum, etc. She has a 20 month old and she is always thinking about something she read or saw on NG when she's out in public or home alone. things that never crossed my mind when she was that age. i just didn't think bad things happened. i was lucky.

so whether we agree or disagree, solve crimes or just spend our time brainstorming, there are good things that some people take away from all the diversities on this board. i'm not sure how i would have reacted at a concert in my 20's, under the influence and a friend gets locked outside and says they'll find a ride home. i know how i would react today and i know how my daughter would react today thanks to forums like these and keeping these things alive in the media.

so thanks to everybody for all their ideas and different and varied viewpoints. those ideas and views don't stop when we log off the internet. we subconsciously think about them as we go about our daily lives without even realizing it.

 

[Javabean]

With all due respect this is based on what you would do in this situation. This is also based on the one or two statements that LE put out. I believe that there was more to the conversation with friends that LE knows about. Sadly we do not.

Yes. I was asked what I would have done differently in that situation and I answered.

Also, I will go onto say that I personally have dealt with the loss of a sibling and numerous friends. I may have handled some loses better than others. I would NOT want someone casting judgment on me because I did not grieve or cope properly. And that is just the world we live in. Everyone is different...we are not robots that act and think the same.

I, too, (as well as many others on this board) have lost friends and loved ones. I am sorry for the loss of your sibling. I stand by what I said in my post and won't comment further.

I do agree with you that it's stories like this that make you appreciate the love and support of your own friends and families.

Absolutely. And if anything ever happened to them, I'd move heaven and earth to find them.

 

[p7byrd]

"Dan Harrington says it will take five or six months for dna results to come back to determine the exact cause of death."


http://wchv.com/The-Latest-from-the-WCHV-newsroom/4192892


What does DNA have to do with COD???:waitasec:

My take on this—and this is purely speculation on my part—is that perhaps they found genetic material belonging to a potential suspect, but because of its degraded nature, will take much, much longer for lab analysis.

Since one of the reasons LE does not release COD is so they can "weed out" false confessors, misleading information, and worthless tips, they will only release such information in conjunction with solid evidence—in this case, DNA belonging to a suspect, which will quickly corroborate or eliminate witness/potential suspect statements.

I would like to hear the opinion of someone here with LE or forensic experience what they think about this.

 

[Javabean]

i would just like to say that i see a lot of comments about what people would have done in situations on these boards. not just this one but this one seems to have a lot of controversy over what the friends should have or shouldn't have done.

we all know that hindsight is 20/20 and since none of us were actually there or heard any of the conversation or plans, it's easy to sit here and think of how we would have reacted. myself included. however, the more i see about such situations, the happier i am that i got my daughter hooked on true crime, nancy grace, the first 48, this forum, etc. She has a 20 month old and she is always thinking about something she read or saw on NG when she's out in public or home alone. things that never crossed my mind when she was that age. i just didn't think bad things happened. i was lucky.

so whether we agree or disagree, solve crimes or just spend our time brainstorming, there are good things that some people take away from all the diversities on this board. i'm not sure how i would have reacted at a concert in my 20's, under the influence and a friend gets locked outside and says they'll find a ride home. i know how i would react today and i know how my daughter would react today thanks to forums like these and keeping these things alive in the media.

so thanks to everybody for all their ideas and different and varied viewpoints. those ideas and views don't stop when we log off the internet. we subconsciously think about them as we go about our daily lives without even realizing it.

Very nicely said!

Moving on.......

 

[Javabean]

My take on this—and this is purely speculation on my part—is that perhaps they found genetic material belonging to a potential suspect, but because of its degraded nature, will take much, much longer for lab analysis.

Since one of the reasons LE does not release COD is so they can "weed out" false confessors, misleading information, and worthless tips, they will only release such information in conjunction with solid evidence—in this case, DNA belonging to a suspect, which will quickly corroborate or eliminate witness/potential suspect statements.

I would like to hear the opinion of someone here with LE or forensic experience what they think about this.

Yes, I think you are right. It's definitely a way to weed out the weird confessions, etc. Often they hold back those tiny details that only the person who committed the crime would know. Hopefully they are able to release something soon...

 

[carbuff]

In a high profile case in my area some years ago DNA was done within a day or two when it was fast tracked. Although I would not be suprised if 5-6 month was the right time frame if it is not fast tracked. Maybe they don't push it to the "fast track" unless they have someone or some other crime(s) to compare it to?

I wonder what dna has to do with the cause of death? maybe they meant toxicaloigy?

One thing that comes to mind is that if the evidence of homicide is something like a mark on the bone, and all the bones weren't attached, they might need to do further testing to make sure the marked bone is really Morgan's.

Getting DNA from a body that's been exposed to the elements for some time is not always straightforward. If they're looking for a perp's DNA on other surfaces (the jewelry for instance), that could take even longer. They might need several tests to find enough viable DNA to test, and then need to use enhancement processes to get the quantity they need.

 

[LadyBug99]

Absolutely. And if anything ever happened to them, I'd move heaven and earth to find them.

As you should stand by your post. I wasn't trying to sway anyone's opinions, just throwing mine out there I guess. One thing that we can ABSOLUTELY agree on is your last statement!!! There is nothing I wouldn't do for my loved ones. I would like to think that is the type of person I was all along, but it may reflect the life lessons that I have learned. IDK

Like shufly said, I have forums like this to thank for some of my perceptions of the world. My friends do not share our same interest in crime. When I tell them about stories I have read here or heard on the news, most of them are SHOCKED. Sadly, they stick to the local news and don't show much concern for the world around us.

I think everyone here does show an enormous amount of care and concern for strangers (for the most part) and I would personally like to thank everyone. If I were Morgan's family (or any other family out there) I would get such great comfort knowing people were in my corner, trying to bring justice to their loved one's killer.

Thanks again everyone at WS!

 

[LadyBug99]

http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=12007259

IF they ever made a handbook on how to deal with a missing child and how to grieve one...The Harrington family would be my pick for an example. Their strength amazes me!

 

[Javabean]

As you should stand by your post. I wasn't trying to sway anyone's opinions, just throwing mine out there I guess. One thing that we can ABSOLUTELY agree on is your last statement!!! There is nothing I wouldn't do for my loved ones. I would like to think that is that type of person I was all along, but it may reflect the life lessons that I have learned. IDK

Like shufly said, I have forums like this to thank for some of my perceptions of the world. My friends do not share our same interest in crime. When I tell them about stories I have read here or heard on the news, most of them are SHOCKED. Sadly, they stick to the local news and don't show much concern for the world around us.

I think everyone here does show an enormous amount of care and concern for strangers (for the most part) and I would personally like to thank everyone. If I were Morgan's family (or any other family out there) I would get such great comfort knowing people were in my corner, trying to bring justice to their loved one's killer.

]Thanks again everyone at WS


LOL yes! I think I'd rather have the people from WS looking for me more than LE! If I were ever in a horrible situation, I would be thinking "Oh, I KNOW the WS team is going to be all over this!!" ;-)

 

[p7byrd]

New article from Read The Hook, with some new information.

http://www.readthehook.com/blog/ind...-here-harringtons-warn-killer-hell-be-caught/

 

[Javabean]

New article from Read The Hook, with some new information.

http://www.readthehook.com/blog/ind...-here-harringtons-warn-killer-hell-be-caught/

Thank you!

A portion:

Police and the Harringtons decline comment on any other items recovered with Morgan’s body including a widely publicized Swarovsky crystal necklace; however Dan Harrington seemed to suggest that the bracelet was not the only piece of jewelry found.

“He didn’t even want her jewelry,” he said, adding his belief that Morgan’s death was a sexual assault that “ended up in her murder.”

BBM

If DH is right (we can't be sure if that scenario has always been his suspected theory or if LE told him that), this was exactly what I was fearing the most.... that's pretty much the worst case scenario IMO.

They need to get this guy.

 

[Roselvr]

The "fact" that either the Harringtons or LE has/had asked the friends to remain quiet has not been confirmed by any one in an official position. A "friend" (who posts on the FM website) of the friends says she/he was told by the friends that Dr. Harrington had requested they remain quiet.

IMHO if this were true, Dr. Harrington (who has been asked the question on the FM forum) would have made a statement to that effect. By doing that he would have removed a lot of "heat" the friends have received as a result of their silence.

I believe the friends silence (not assuming any guilt or innocence here) is as a result of lawyers the friends have hired.

I think it's in this article - Morgan Harrington's parents won't hold John Paul Jones, friends accountable

I'm waiting for cville.com to release their new story. They said they have additional info in next week's issue!

The way I read it, they were talking about a suspect's DNA. Obviously I could be wrong. Either way I would have hoped that this case would have been pushed to the front of the line. There is STILL a killer on the loose. Unless they have someone in custody on an unrelated charge...hmmm

And it's why I posted Jody's story here in case Mr Harrington is reading. I will try to contact him so that he can make sure he stays on top of it

One thing that comes to mind is that if the evidence of homicide is something like a mark on the bone, and all the bones weren't attached, they might need to do further testing to make sure the marked bone is really Morgan's.

Getting DNA from a body that's been exposed to the elements for some time is not always straightforward. If they're looking for a perp's DNA on other surfaces (the jewelry for instance), that could take even longer. They might need several tests to find enough viable DNA to test, and then need to use enhancement processes to get the quantity they need.

Which is why I can't believe they gave Gil the bracelet & I see she is wearing it in the article post in post 398

My apologies to Mr Harrington if he is still reading..

http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=12007259

IF they ever made a handbook on how to deal with a missing child and how to grieve one...The Harrington family would be my pick for an example. Their strength amazes me!

Rips my heart out.
Right now they are driven by what is going on. They are probably in a horrible shock that did not wear off because of the holidays and the pain being so fresh.
They know what they need to do and are probably on autopilot.
Eventually things will get quieter.. that is when they will be left to process all that has happened.
I hope they continue to find strength every day. I hope they continue to be as vocal as they have because the more interest, the more chance this will be solved.

.