Though that scenario unfolded in Charlottesville, Va., near the area where “The Waltons” television show was based on, the story of Morgan Harrington did not end happily with this week’s discovery of her remains.
Now the heartbroken parents of the 20-year-old Roanoke County woman are left to contemplate how their child ended up as she did after what was meant to be an innocent, enjoyable evening.
Witnesses say the Virginia Tech student had been drinking and left the building where Metallica was playing for some reason, then wasn’t allowed back inside because of policies there. Harrington assured friends she would try to find another way home, which led to thumbing a ride on a Charlottesville bridge.
The fact Morgan Harrington disappeared after attending a Metallica concert can’t be blamed on the rock band known for its intense performances, which might be the first impulse among those prone to criticize music and other artistic expressions for the world’s troubles.
Yet millions of people have experienced Metallica concerts through the years without incident. The band also lent its support to efforts to locate the missing woman, including putting up $50,000 in reward money for information surrounding her disappearance.
People also have consumed alcohol in a responsible manner and, yes, even thumbed rides, and not wound up suffering harm. (Hitchhiking is an especially common occurrence in a college town such as Charlottesville)
Yet in the mix of those events of the last night Morgan Harrington was seen alive was something that led to her death. A bad decision here, an error in judgment there, a case of ill timing, was all it took to result in a tragedy that has left family members, as well as investigators, looking for answers.
Most parents will tell you that it’s difficult to teach their children about the hazards of the Real World, particularly since teens and young adults often think they’re invincible. Something that can be just as dangerous as this false sense of security is the urge to always be part of the “party scene.”
Unfortunately, the same night life that lures in people seeking the thrills of wild bars and wilder parties also attracts another element that preys on the innocent and unwary. Sexual predators, narcotics dealers and those seeking to capitalize in other ways also infiltrate the party scene. And you can’t escape the fact that nightspots in general don’t exist for the betterment of mankind, but to make money, pure and simple.
The Morgan Harrington case is reminiscent of the disappearance of Natalee Holloway in 2005 during her high school graduation trip to Aruba. Holloway was last seen by classmates outside a nightclub where she had been socializing with several young men who were locals. The 18-year-old woman presumably was murdered, although her body wasn’t found and no one has been prosecuted in the case.
Natalee Holloway was a beautiful young lady with blond hair, similar to Morgan Harrington. It’s always interesting how missing people fitting that particular profile seem to draw the most attention even though many other folks disappear under mysterious circumstances with little or no fanfare. That’s a different column for another day.
But hopefully, the fact these high-profile cases do receive such attention — while generating hefty television ratings — eventually will bring some good as far of warning young people about what can happen to them if they don’t exercise care.
Seeing a photo of a beautiful, smiling girl who’ll never be that way again due to a senseless act, coupled with news footage showing a makeshift grave in a field, sadly might carry more weight than any parental warning could.
Tom Joyce is a staff reporter for The Mount Airy News. He can be reached at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or 719-1924.
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