Hannah Graham, an 18-year-old student at the University of Virginia, is reportedly the fourth young woman who has gone missing in the area within the past five years.
Graham was reported missing on Sunday by her friends after they realized that they have not seen her since early Saturday. The last time they heard from her was when she sent a text message to a friend at that time when she was leaving a party on Saturday morning.
Police said that Hannah and her friends had a drinking party and became intoxicated on Friday. Graham was reportedly seen at a pizza restaurant with a classmate. From there, the two left and headed to another party. Hannah was said to have left the party at 12:15 a.m. She had gone walking home by herself.
Police were able to get the latest video footage that they hope will provide a clue to the location of the missing student. In the video, Hannah was seen walking in front of the building for a couple of minutes. She also looked like she was talking to someone before she was seen walking away. It was noted that she headed east on Grady and the time display showed it was 12:46 a.m. She was seen walking in the direction that is opposite to the one leading to her apartment building. A friend later received a text about 1:20 a.m. saying she was lost.
Officials from the university described Hannah as 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Her eyes are blue and her hair is light brown. She also has freckles. In the surveillance photos, Graham was seen wearing black slacks and gold and black crop top. Police believe these were the clothes that she was wearing when she suddenly disappeared.
Three other young women were also reported missing in the area and two haven't been found yet. They were identified as Samantha Ann Clarke, 19; DaShad Laquinn Smith, 19; and Morgan Harrington, 20. The latter was also a student from the University of Virginia. Her remains were discovered in a rural area three months later. There were no arrests made related to that incident.
Family, friends and people from the university are calling for help to find the missing young student. The Charlottesville Police Department urges anyone to call their office at 434-970-3280 or CrimeStoppers at 434-977-4000 if any information comes in that would help them with the search.
"We are hopeful someone will come forward soon with information," said Theresa A. Sullivan, the university's president. Graham is from Fairfax County, in northern Virginia.
