CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA—A new campaign aimed to reenergize the Morgan
Harrington murder case was launched by the Virginia State Police and FBI on Wednesday.
State police said the FBI approached them last fall, wanting to team up to launch
a new campaign in the hopes of solving the killing that took place more than
two years ago.
Morgan Harrington disappeared after an October 2009 Metallica show in Charlottesville, Va.
Her remains were found three months later in a hayfield about 10 miles from the
concert venue.
Officials say the new campaign will span multiple platforms and include a
full section of information on the FBI's website, podcasts, pictures and
billboards with the suspects sketch.
"The FBI had utilized a lot of these same resources for
their east coast rapist case, had significant success with that so they reached
out to us," said State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller.
Authorities are urging people to come forward with information,
saying no detail is too small.
The band Metallica has also gotten involved, making
a public service announcement to help authorities locate the suspect wanted in the
slaying of the Virginia Tech student.
"Remember, any information, no matter how small you
might think it is, could be that crucial piece," the band said in the PSA.
Police
said the new efforts are working, and that since an updated sketch of the suspect
was released last week, they've received around 20 to 30 new tips, which they're
investigating.
"We're cautiously optimistic. It's been over 2 years now, but
we know that the information we need is out there. We know someone is going to
recognize this sketch," said Geller.
The FBI said it has DNA linking the suspect to a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax County. But authorities aren't sure who
the man is and are seeking the public's help identifying him.
Copyright 2012 by Young Broadcasting of Richmond
