Charlottesville police ask property owners to search for signs of U-Va. student
Charlottesville police ask property owners to search for signs of U-Va. student
(about 1 hour later)
CHARLOTTESVILLE — Police are asking property owners in this city and throughout nearby rural Albemarle County to look for any signs of missing U-Va. student Hannah Graham, hoping that they can locate her.
CHARLOTTESVILLE — Police are asking property owners in this city and throughout nearby rural Albemarle County to look for any signs of missing U-Va. student Hannah Graham, hoping that they can locate her after nearly two weeks of searching.
Police Chief Timothy J. Longo said during a news conference Thursday afternoon that searchers have combed through most of Charlottesville and are now moving south into surrounding farms and woodland. He also urged realtors and others to look in and around vacant homes and buildings in an effort to find the teenager, who has been missing since Sept. 13.
Police Chief Timothy J. Longo said during a news conference Thursday that searchers have combed through most of this college town and are now moving south into surrounding farms and woodland. He also urged realtors and others to look in and around vacant homes and buildings in an effort to find the teenager, who has been missing since Sept. 13.
Longo said Graham had an iPhone 5S with a pink case that has not been discovered, and he said people should report anything they see that seems out of the ordinary, including unexpected tire tracks, clothing, or other evidence that might help police find her.
Longo said Graham had an iPhone 5S with a pink case that has not been found, and he said people should report anything they see that seems out of the ordinary on their properties, including unexpected tire tracks, clothing, or other evidence that might help police find her.
“We have no idea where she is, despite our best efforts,” Longo said, adding later that he has hope that Graham will be found alive. “Everyone realizes the more time that goes by, the more difficult this is going to come for everyone. I can’t lose hope until I have to, until I need to, until it’s appropriate to transition this into some other type of operation. I have hope, and I think Hannah’s mom and dad have hope.”
“We have no idea where she is, despite our best efforts,” Longo said. “Everyone realizes the more time that goes by, the more difficult this is going to come for everyone. I can’t lose hope until I have to, until I need to, until it’s appropriate to transition this into some other type of operation. I have hope, and I think Hannah’s mom and dad have hope.”
Longo said in an interview Thursday that he wants anyone who knows Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew Jr., 32, who is charged with abducting Graham, to help in identifying spots that Matthew frequented and areas that would be familiar to him. Police asked for help in finding places Matthew likes to fish, for example. The search for Graham has been underway for 12 days. A reward of $100,000 is being offered for information leading to finding the 18-year-old U-Va. sophomore from Fairfax County.
Longo said in an interview Thursday that he wants anyone who knows Jesse L. “LJ” Matthew Jr., 32, who is charged with abducting Graham, to help in identifying spots that Matthew frequented. Police asked for help in finding places Matthew likes to fish, for example. A reward of $100,000 is being offered for information leading to the safe return of the 18-year-old U-Va. sophomore from Fairfax County.
Charlottesville investigators arrived in Galveston, Tex., on Thursday, where Matthew appeared in court earlier in the day after being arrested on a beach Wednesday afternoon. Longo said police will not approach Matthew about the case because he already has invoked his right to consult with a lawyer.
Charlottesville investigators on Thursday arrived in Galveston, Tex., where Matthew appeared in court after being arrested on a beach Wednesday afternoon. Longo said Charlottesville police will not approach Matthew about the case because he already has invoked his right to consult with a lawyer. Local authorities said they would try to speak with him late Thursday or early Friday, and they were searching his car for evidence.
Matthew, who is the last known person to see Graham, has been charged with abduction with intent to sexually assault her, and police have not detailed what evidence they have against him. Matthew was taken into custody Wednesday near Galveston, Tex., after a widespread manhunt, and police said he now will be taken to Charlottesville to face charges in her disappearance.
Matthew is the last known person to see Graham, and he has been charged with abduction with intent to sexually assault her. Police have not detailed what evidence they have against him. Matthew was taken into custody Wednesday in Texas after a widespread manhunt, and police said he now will be taken to Charlottesville to face charges in her disappearance.
Matthew appeared briefly early Thursday in a Texas courtroom, where a judge denied bond and read Matthew his rights. Matthew declined a court-appointed attorney and waived an extradition hearing, indicating he will return to the Charlottesville area in coming days.
Matthew appeared briefly early Thursday in a Texas courtroom, where a judge denied bond and read Matthew his rights. Matthew declined a court-appointed attorney and waived an extradition hearing.
Charlottesville lawyer James L. Camblos III, who is representing Matthew in the case, said that he spoke to Matthew late Wednesday after his arrest in Texas.
Charlottesville lawyer James L. Camblos III, who is representing Matthew in the case, said that he spoke to Matthew by phone late Wednesday after his arrest.
“He sounded okay considering the circumstances,” Camblos said. “He called me from the jail and, under the circumstances, he sounded pretty good.”
“He sounded okay considering the circumstances,” Camblos said. “He called me from the jail and, under the circumstances, he sounded pretty good.”
Camblos said that he expects Matthew to be extradited to Charlottesville sometime this weekend.
Longo said it is unclear why Matthew was in the Galveston area, a popular summer destination on the Gulf of Mexico southeast of Houston, about 1,300 miles from Charlottesville. A Galveston County Sheriff’s deputy found Matthew after the office received a call from a local woman who had seen Matthew on the beach — in Gilchrist, on the Bolivar Peninsula — and found him suspicious.
Longo said it is unclear why Matthew was in the Galveston area, which is on the Gulf of Mexico southeast of Houston, about 1,300 miles from Charlottesville. Longo said that Matthew was arrested by a member of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.
The responding deputy noticed Matthew had pitched a tent on the beach, Cook said. Matthew initially gave a false name, but the deputy ran the plates on Matthew’s car and discovered he was wanted in Virginia, Cook said. Matthew was taken into custody without incident.
Maj. Raymond Tuttoilmondo, a spokesman for the Galveston County sheriff, said that Matthew was arrested about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday on a beach in Gilchrist, on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Galveston Sheriff’s Office Captain Barry Cook said an officer found Matthew after receiving a call about a suspicious person. Cook said the caller was driving down the beach near an area called the Rollover Pass when he came upon Matthew and had an interaction that led him to call authorities. Cook did not have additional details about the interaction.
The responding officer noticed Matthew had pitched a tent on the beach, Cook said. Matthew initially gave a false name to the officer, but the officer ran the plates on Matthew’s car and discovered he was wanted in Virginia, Cook said. Matthew was taken into custody without incident and his car was seized to be searched for evidence.
Cook said Matthew did not give any indication of why he was in the Galveston area and noted that the peninsula seems an odd place to seek refuge. Cook said Gilchrist is a popular summer vacation destination with lots of beach rentals, but the area clears out after Labor Day, which means Matthew would have stood out.
“It is not the logical place I would choose to hideout, but who knows what goes through the mind of a fugitive,” Cook said.
[See a map of the region where Matthew was apprehended.]
[See a map of the region where Matthew was apprehended.]
It is unclear what ties Matthew might have to Texas. He grew up in the Charlottesville area and attended two Virginia universities — Liberty from 2000 to 2002 and then Christopher Newport in 2003. He played football at both schools and left both schools early, though neither could discuss the circumstances of his departures, citing privacy rules.
Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset said Thursday that deputies have examined the car, surrounding sand dunes and will widen their search but have no indication of where Graham might be.
On Thursday, the owner of the restaurant where Graham was last seen before she disappeared said that Graham never entered the establishment with her alleged abductor, instead waiting outside for him while he purchased drinks there.
“This individual has a 1,300-mile track,” the sheriff said, referring to Matthew’s trip from Charlottesville to east Texas. “There’s a lot of area to look at.”
Brice Cunningham, owner of the upscale Tempo Restaurant in Charlottesville, said he saw Matthew for the first time at the restaurant late on Friday, Sept. 12 and then again during the early morning hours of Sept. 13. Cunningham said that Matthew drank shots of bourbon with two other customers at about 11:45 p.m. and then saw him enjoying music on the restaurant’s dance floor.
It is unclear what ties, if any, Matthew might have to Texas. He grew up in the Charlottesville area and attended two Virginia universities — Liberty from 2000 to 2002 and then Christopher Newport in 2003. He played football at both schools and left both schools early, though neither could discuss the circumstances of his departures, citing privacy rules.
Also on Thursday, the owner of the restaurant where Graham was last seen before she disappeared said that Graham never entered the establishment with her alleged abductor, instead waiting outside for him while he purchased drinks there.
Brice Cunningham, owner of the upscale Tempo Restaurant in Charlottesville, said he saw Matthew for the first time at the restaurant late on Friday, Sept. 12 and then again during the early morning hours of Sept. 13. Cunningham said that Matthew drank shots of bourbon with two other customers at about 11:45 p.m., and he then saw Matthew enjoying music on the restaurant’s dance floor.
Cunningham said that Matthew, who was not a regular at the bar, appeared to be having a good time that evening.
Cunningham said that Matthew, who was not a regular at the bar, appeared to be having a good time that evening.
“He wasn’t aggressive, he wasn’t unpleasant,” said Cunningham, 43. “He seemed friendly and was talking to people. . . He was enjoying the night.”
“He wasn’t aggressive, he wasn’t unpleasant,” said Cunningham, 43. “He seemed friendly and was talking to people.”
Cunningham said that Matthew left the bar briefly and returned just after 1 a.m., closed a tab for two beers at 1:10 a.m. and then left sometime after. He said that Tempo staffers, who were checking identification to ensure patrons were 21, saw Graham outside the bar. He said staffers noticed she was intoxicated and saw her leave with Matthew, walking toward the nearby Downtown Mall.
Cunningham said that Matthew left the bar briefly and returned just after 1 a.m., closed a tab for two beers at 1:10 a.m. and then left sometime after. He said that Tempo staffers, who were checking identification to ensure patrons were 21, saw Graham outside the bar and thought she appeared intoxicated. They saw her leave with Matthew on foot.
“None of my staff saw her inside that night,” Cunningham said in an interview Thursday, noting that several dozen people were in the bar at the time. In a statement, Cunningham said that Graham was not served alcohol. “She was, however, noticed by the door person outside the restaurant at that time, and seen leaving with Matthew shortly thereafter. These details helped police reconstruct Ms. Graham’s movements and last known whereabouts.”
“None of my staff saw her inside that night,” Cunningham said in an interview Thursday. In a statement, Cunningham said that Graham was not served alcohol. “She was, however, noticed by the door person outside the restaurant at that time, and seen leaving with Matthew shortly thereafter.”
Graham had been seen on surveillance video walking with Matthew shortly after 1 a.m. on the city’s Downtown Mall, headed in the direction of Tempo. Friends said her last text to them was at 1:06 a.m., just minutes before Matthew got to Tempo. The owner’s account suggests that Graham arrived at the restaurant with Matthew, waited for him outside, and then left with him, drawing no unusual attention from staff.
Graham had been seen on surveillance video walking with Matthew shortly after 1 a.m. on the city’s Downtown Mall, headed in the direction of Tempo. Friends said her last text to them was at 1:06 a.m., just minutes before Matthew got to Tempo. The owner’s account suggests that Graham arrived at the restaurant with Matthew, waited for him outside, and then left with him.
The account differs from what police have said about Graham’s interactions with Matthew at Tempo. At a news conference on Friday, the city’s police chief and the lead investigator each said that witnesses saw them both in the restaurant. Chief Timothy J. Longo said “people saw her with that individual in that restaurant,” and Det. Sgt. Jim Mooney said: “We know he purchased alcohol there and we know that Hannah Graham was with him.”
The account differs from what police have said about Graham’s interactions with Matthew at Tempo. Longo said Thursday that his investigators “have at least one witness statement that puts Hannah Graham inside the bar with Mr. Matthew. You’re always evaluating witness statements in an ongoing investigation, and we will be talking to folks again, but we have that statement.”
Longo said in an interview Thursday that his investigators “have at least one witness statement that puts Hannah Graham inside the bar with Mr. Matthew. You’re always evaluating witness statements in an ongoing investigation, and we will be talking to folks again, but we have that statement.”
An extensive search has turned up almost no trace of Graham after she was seen at Tempo. Police have collected evidence from Matthew’s car and apartment, and Longo said that prosecutors decided to press charges against Matthew after reviewing evidence from experts at the crime lab in Richmond. The charge against Matthew suggests that police believe Matthew took Graham against her will — or while she was in a state that left her unable to consent.
He said investigators will be going back to Tempo to speak with witnesses again about the investigation.
Police want to speak with Matthew in the hopes of learning Graham’s location; an extensive search has turned up almost no trace of her. Police have collected evidence from Matthew’s car and apartment. Longo said that prosecutors decided to press charges against Matthew after reviewing evidence from experts at the crime lab in Richmond, but he did not say what investigators found or whether it included Graham’s DNA.
The charge against Matthew suggests that police believe they have evidence that Matthew took Graham against her will — or while she was in a state that left her unable to consent — but they have not laid out that evidence.
An arrest warrant for Matthew, issued Tuesday and released Wednesday, said only that he was wanted for “abduction with intent to defile,” a felony charge that carries a potential maximum life sentence upon conviction.
Police said that they think Graham left the downtown mall in Matthew’s car but that they do not know what happened to her after that. Police have not said what they think indicates that Matthew intended to assault Graham.
Those close to Matthew, who is 6-foot-2, and weighs 270 pounds, have said they know him as a “gentle giant” who prayed at a local church, worked in the U-Va. hospital caring for patients and volunteered at the private Christian Covenant school as a football coach.
Those close to Matthew, who is 6-foot-2, and weighs 270 pounds, have said they know him as a “gentle giant” who prayed at a local church, worked in the U-Va. hospital caring for patients and volunteered at the private Christian Covenant school as a football coach.
Matthew attended Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., from 2000 to 2002, and played as a defensive lineman on the school’s football team. He moved to Christopher Newport University in January 2003 and left on Oct. 15, 2003, according to the university in Newport News. He was a member of the football team from Aug. 14, 2003 to Sept. 12, 2003.
Flaherty and Jouvenal reported from Washington.
“Students don’t usually leave in the second month of the semester or leave the football team within a month,” said Lori Jacobs, Christopher Newport’s director of public relations. “However, federal student record privacy laws (FERPA) limit the information we can provide. The University is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies.”
Flaherty and Jouvenal reported from Washington. Matt Zapotosky contributed to this report.
