Motel Shut Down After Report of Missing Virginia Tech Student Sighting
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Virginia State Police, acting on a reported sighting of a missing Virginia Tech student, shut down access to a motel in Charlottesville Saturday — though the tip has yet to lead authorities to announce a break in the case.
The access road to the Comfort Inn at I-64 and Route 250 was blocked about 10 a.m. as state police followed up on a lead in the disappearance of Morgan Harrington. Harrington, 20, was last seen Oct. 17 outside a Metallica concert she'd attended with friends.
State police confirmed to Fox News that they were at the hilltop motel acting on a tip but said there was "nothing to it so far."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Police sources told CBS 19 that they were focusing on a parking lot in front of the motel after reports came in that Harrington had been spotted in the area.
Her parents told Fox News they believe their daughter was abducted.
"Each hour that passes is heavier than the hour before," her mother, Gil Harrington, told Fox News' Geraldo Rivera.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The missing student's father, Dr. Dan Harrington, said a $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to his daughter's whereabouts. Metallica also has offered a $50,000 reward.
SLIDESHOW: Virginia Tech Student Disappears at Concert
Harrington vanished last Saturday night after getting separated from her friends at the concert at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}She left the John Paul Jones Arena to go to the bathroom, wound up outside somehow and wasn't allowed back in because of the venue's re-entry policy.
She phoned her friends about 9:30 p.m. that night to tell them she was leaving. No one has seen or heard from her since.
Meanwhile, the FBI has joined the search.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Virginia State Police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said Friday the FBI will be able to investigate tips from around the country in the disappearance of the junior education major from Roanoke.
Montgomery County Sheriff Tommy Whitt said the task force investigating the killings of two Virginia Tech students in August checked for similarities to Harrington's case.
No connection has been found between Harrington and the couple killed in the Jefferson National Forest, according to Whitt.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Anyone with any information on Harrington's disappearance is asked to call (434) 352-3467.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.