Charlottesville, VA - A tip led to a search for Morgan Harrington Wednesday evening. State Police and several other law enforcement agencies are searching Pantops Mountain in Charlottesville, following a tip.  The area is about five miles from the University of Virginia Campus.

» findmorgan.com

The search started with the construction site around Martha Jefferson Hospital. Police were seen going through storage units on the site. State Police tell us they have not made any significant finds.

Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Morgan Harrington's parents held a press conference asking the community to help in a planned search this weekend.

They're also getting advice from a man who has lived through similar pain, Ed Smart.

Two-four-one covers the memorial the Harrington's built for their daughter Morgan on the Copely Road Bridge, the last place she was seen. It means “I love you too much, for ever and one more time.”

Watch the full press conference here.

"Be strong. We are trying to find you. We will never stop," Morgan’s mother Gil said at the press conference Wednesday.

What was once an endearing saying between the Harringtons has become their rallying cry to find her.

"To the person who has taken Morgan from us, please just let her go. She has so much more to live and so much more to give," Gil said.

They are now reaching out to Ed Smart for help. You'll remember his daughter Elizabeth was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and held captive for nine months. 

"I think everyone knows that this is something that no parent chooses to have happen to them," Smart said.

Smart says the Laura Recovery Center, a national non-profit that helps locate missing children, helped find Elizabeth, and now they're looking for Morgan. Dr. Dan Harrington hopes the center and volunteers can work with law enforcement to bring back his daughter.

"People do come back. Not everyone is lost," Dan said.  

Thank you sign Dan and Gil Harrington posted in their front yard.

"You may this that it's very insignificant, but that tip, that lead, may be what helps to bring her home," Smart said.

State Police say Metallica's donation has been added to the total reward, which now stands at $150,041 for information leading to Morgan's whereabouts, and bringing her home.

If you are interested in helping with this weekend's search, volunteers are encouraged to attend a community meeting Thursday night. It's at 7:00 at the Cavalier Inn's Jefferson room in Charlottesville. 

 

 

 

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