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Missing U-Va. student’s father: ‘This is every parent’s worst nightmare’ Missing U-Va. student’s father: ‘This is every parent’s worst nightmare’
(35 minutes later)
CHARLOTTESVILLE — The parents of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham said Sunday that they are holding out hope for their daughter’s safe return but fear that her disappearance was the result of “foul play.”CHARLOTTESVILLE — The parents of missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham said Sunday that they are holding out hope for their daughter’s safe return but fear that her disappearance was the result of “foul play.”
In an interview in this college town, John and Sue Graham said they believe their daughter, an 18-year-old sophomore from Fairfax County, may still be alive.In an interview in this college town, John and Sue Graham said they believe their daughter, an 18-year-old sophomore from Fairfax County, may still be alive.
“Our focus is in getting Hannah home,” John Graham said. “It’s still not impossible that Hannah had an accident and she’s waiting for us to come help her. But I suspect that’s unlikely. If she’s a victim of foul play, then someone perpetrated it, and we want to prevent that person or persons from doing it again.”“Our focus is in getting Hannah home,” John Graham said. “It’s still not impossible that Hannah had an accident and she’s waiting for us to come help her. But I suspect that’s unlikely. If she’s a victim of foul play, then someone perpetrated it, and we want to prevent that person or persons from doing it again.”
The Grahams spoke to The Washington Post shortly after appearing at a news conference with Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo, who made an emotional plea for information about the man believed by investigators to be the last person seen with Hannah Graham before she disappeared.The Grahams spoke to The Washington Post shortly after appearing at a news conference with Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy J. Longo, who made an emotional plea for information about the man believed by investigators to be the last person seen with Hannah Graham before she disappeared.
Graham spent the night of Friday, Sept. 12, socializing and drinking with friends. At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, authorities say, Graham was seen with Charlottesville resident Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew inside the Tempo restaurant and bar.Graham spent the night of Friday, Sept. 12, socializing and drinking with friends. At about 1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, authorities say, Graham was seen with Charlottesville resident Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew inside the Tempo restaurant and bar.
Shortly after, witnesses saw Matthew, 32, leave Tempo with Graham, police said.Shortly after, witnesses saw Matthew, 32, leave Tempo with Graham, police said.
Matthew has not been charged with a crime in connection with Graham’s disappearance, and police are not describing him as a suspect in the case.Matthew has not been charged with a crime in connection with Graham’s disappearance, and police are not describing him as a suspect in the case.
“I believe that Jesse Matthew was the last person she was seen with before she vanished off the face of the earth,” Longo said Sunday. “It’s been a week, and we can’t find her.”“I believe that Jesse Matthew was the last person she was seen with before she vanished off the face of the earth,” Longo said Sunday. “It’s been a week, and we can’t find her.”
Longo said Sunday that investigators believe that Matthew and Graham left the area of the restaurant in Matthew’s 1998 burnt-orange Chrysler coupe. Police searched the car on Friday, removed potential evidence and then entered Matthew’s residence, in the 100 block of Hessian Hills Way. On Saturday, Longo said, Matthew came to the Charlottesville police department voluntarily and requested a lawyer. After speaking with the lawyer, Matthew and a second person were seen by police leaving the Charlottesville area at a “high rate of speed,” Longo said. Longo said Sunday that investigators believe that Matthew and Graham left the area of the restaurant in Matthew’s 1998 burnt-orange Chrysler coupe. Police searched the car Friday, removed potential evidence and then entered Matthew’s residence, in the 100 block of Hessian Hills Way. On Saturday, Longo said, Matthew came to the Charlottesville police department voluntarily and requested a lawyer. After speaking with the lawyer, Matthew and a second person were seen by police leaving the Charlottesville area at a “high rate of speed,” Longo said.
The vehicle was traveling so dangerously, Longo said, that authorities tailing the car had to end their chase.The vehicle was traveling so dangerously, Longo said, that authorities tailing the car had to end their chase.
Virginia State Police have issued an arrest warrant on charges of reckless driving for Matthew.Virginia State Police have issued an arrest warrant on charges of reckless driving for Matthew.
Police describe Matthew as a black man with dreadlocks who stands 6’2” and weighs 270 pounds. A neighbor said he worked at the University of Virginia hospital.Police describe Matthew as a black man with dreadlocks who stands 6’2” and weighs 270 pounds. A neighbor said he worked at the University of Virginia hospital.
Longo asked anyone who may have seen Matthew’s car around the time that Graham disappeared to call police.Longo asked anyone who may have seen Matthew’s car around the time that Graham disappeared to call police.
“This is a critical piece of a puzzle where there are lots of pieces missing,” Longo said. “I think he can help us find Hannah Graham. Because that’s what we want.”“This is a critical piece of a puzzle where there are lots of pieces missing,” Longo said. “I think he can help us find Hannah Graham. Because that’s what we want.”
The Post made multiple attempts to seek comment from Matthew and his family. In an interview, a man who identified himself as a relative of Matthew’s said that police “are trying to frame” him. The man, who did not give his name, declined to comment further.The Post made multiple attempts to seek comment from Matthew and his family. In an interview, a man who identified himself as a relative of Matthew’s said that police “are trying to frame” him. The man, who did not give his name, declined to comment further.
John Graham read a statement at Sunday’s news conference, urging members of the Charlottesville community to come forward with any tips that may help investigators find Hannah.John Graham read a statement at Sunday’s news conference, urging members of the Charlottesville community to come forward with any tips that may help investigators find Hannah.
“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” Graham said. “I am certain that everybody in the room and those watching who is a parent knows that what happened to Hannah could happen to their child. We need to find out what happened to Hannah and make sure that it doesn’t happen to anybody else.”“This is every parent’s worst nightmare,” Graham said. “I am certain that everybody in the room and those watching who is a parent knows that what happened to Hannah could happen to their child. We need to find out what happened to Hannah and make sure that it doesn’t happen to anybody else.”
Charlottesville police Capt. Gary Pleasants said Sunday that investigators did not find Graham’s mobile phone inside Matthew’s car when they searched it. Tests so far have not identified Graham’s DNA inside the vehicle either, he said. Pleasants did not indicate what evidence detectives found inside the vehicle that enabled them to obtain a search warrant to enter Matthew’s home.Charlottesville police Capt. Gary Pleasants said Sunday that investigators did not find Graham’s mobile phone inside Matthew’s car when they searched it. Tests so far have not identified Graham’s DNA inside the vehicle either, he said. Pleasants did not indicate what evidence detectives found inside the vehicle that enabled them to obtain a search warrant to enter Matthew’s home.
On Sunday, hundreds of volunteers combed neighborhoods around Charlottesville searching for clues that could help investigators find Graham.On Sunday, hundreds of volunteers combed neighborhoods around Charlottesville searching for clues that could help investigators find Graham.
“Somebody knows what happened to Hannah. And others watching may know something helpful and may not even realize it,” John Graham said. “We know Hannah was downtown early on Saturday morning. Hannah was distinctively dressed. Did you see Hannah? Do you think you might have seen Hannah? Please, please, please call the tip line with anything that might just help us to bring Hannah home.”“Somebody knows what happened to Hannah. And others watching may know something helpful and may not even realize it,” John Graham said. “We know Hannah was downtown early on Saturday morning. Hannah was distinctively dressed. Did you see Hannah? Do you think you might have seen Hannah? Please, please, please call the tip line with anything that might just help us to bring Hannah home.”