New FBI Video Asks Your Help: $150,000 Reward Offered In Morgan Harrington Murder Cold Case

Click Here to see full Wanted Poster (pdf)

June 13, 2012 - The Federal Bureau of Investigation just released two new videos about a Virginia cold case. The FBI says that an "unknown offender" is linked by DNA in two separate cases, and they released this artist's composite sketch.

"On a Saturday night in October 2009," says the FBI website, "college student Morgan Harrington left a Metallica concert at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville and disappeared. It would be several months before her body was discovered in a field about 10 miles away."

Virginia State Police and City of Fairfax Police, Virginia are also investigating Harrington's unsolved murder. Metallica also released a video, below, in an effort to find the killer. If you have information that might be helpful, please call the Virginia State Police at (434) 352-3467, the City of Fairfax Police at (703) 385-7959, or the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324), or submit a tip at tips.fbi.gov.


"A $150,000 reward is being offered in the murder case of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington," says the FBI.

More from the FBI:

Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington left early from a rock concert in Charlottesville, VA on October 17, 2009. She was last seen hitchhiking on a busy street outside of the concert arena. Special Agent Dino Cappuzzo of the Virginia State Police says in January the next year...
Her body was found on a very large farm in a rural area of Ablemarle county about 10 miles south from where she was last seen.

DNA recovered in the Harrington case was linked to an unknown offender in a September 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax City. A 26-year-old woman was attacked at night while walking home from a grocery store. The offender was scared away by a passerby—but the victim got a good look at him, enabling a Fairfax City Police artist to produce a sketch of the attacker.

“It was a remarkable break to get the DNA match,” said FBI Special Agent Jane Collins. The forensic evidence linked the two cases, so now we have a face to put with the suspect in the Harrington case. The suspect is described as an African-American male with black hair and facial hair (at the time of the 2005 attack). He is approximately 6 feet tall and was believed to be between the ages of 25 and 35 years old at the time of the Fairfax City assault.

Help us catch Morgan Harrington’s killer. If you have any information about the Harrington case or the Fairfax City assault, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or the Virginia State Police Tip line at 434-352-3467, or submit a tip online.   FBI Website for More Info...

Homeless Man Drowns In Madison's Lake Mendota

August 15, 2011 - The Homeless Patriot is reporting this afternoon that a homeless man, 37, drowned in Lake Mendota on Madison's north side.

Homeless Patriot reports that the man, who went by the name of "Teddy," was swimming about 100 feet off shore at the end of the 600 block of N. Henry Street when he "just disappeared." Full drowning story at Homeless Patriot...

This is the second time within a month that Homeless Patriot has scooped Madison's media on local stories.

Homeless Blogger Scoops Madison Media on Brittingham Park Body Story

July 21, 2011 - Madison, WI - A homeless blogger beat the local media outlets in reporting the discovery of a man's body in a local park yesterday. The "Homeless Patriot" reported at 7:40 p.m. on Wednesday that "Reports are circulating that a body was found a Brittingham Park this afternoon. Brittingham Park is on the northwestern shore of Monona Bay." The Homeless Patriot's posting of the report beat out all of the local media and bloggers. The Homeless Patriot scooped the local media again today by reporting that the body was badly decomposed (see HP's update here). WKOW TV reported the story online at 7:43 p.m., three minutes after the Homeless Blogger posted his report. WISC TV did not report the story online until 8:04 p.m. It was not until today at 10:45 a.m. that the Cap Times newspaper reported the story. They are reporting that the body is that of an unidentified man, age 36. Police have not yet said what the cause of death is, but the Homeless Patriot reports today in an update that the body was badly decomposed, making initial determination of sex difficult. If you have information that could help the investigation, call Madison police at 608-266-4924. Full disclosure: I am the Homeless Patriot.

Chicago Police Pull Drowning Victim From Belmont Harbor

BREAKING: August 16, 2010 - At 5:20 p.m. this afternoon, Chicago Police dispatch called out for officers to go to the north end of Belmont Harbor. That's at the mouth of the harbor. There, dispatch said, a dead body was in the water, apparently drowned. The victim, whose name is unknown at this time, "left a pile of clothes" on land. Suicide is suspected but not yet confirmed. Belmont Harbor in the Lakeview neighborhood on the North Side, and is part of Lincoln Park. The north end of the harbor is close to W. Addison and N. Lake Shore Drive. View Larger Map

Rogers Park Nursing Home Resident Drowns in Bathtub

So avoidable, so tragic, this story is still developing. The Chicago Tribune reported last night [July 5, 2010] on the drowning death of a Chicago nursing home resident. Jean Engstrom, a 51 year old mentally ill woman, died in the evening of July 4th at the Warren Park Nursing Pavilion. The facility is suppose to provide care to nearly 100 residents and is located on the northwest part of the city in West Rogers Park, near Damen Avenue and Devon Avenue. [6700 block of North Damen Avenue; see map.] Ms. Engstrom was found in her bathtub shortly before 9pm on Sunday evening, while most of the 4th of July holiday events were still finishing. Staff officials found her in a bathtub with the water running. Police officers called to the scene tried to revive her, but they were unsuccessful. She died after arriving at St. Francis Hospital. The investigation into Ms. Engstrom’s death in ongoing with homicide and negligence not ruled out as possibilities. (Source: Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog) RELATED: Is Sen. Steans Lying About Evergreen Healthcare Involvement? CNB Repeated Nursing Home Negligence in Evergreen Park Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog Robinson Campaign Comments on Sen. Steans' Investment in Nursing Home CNB

Body In Car on Edgewater Street Was Rogers Park Resident

May 15, 2010 - The vicitm in the tragic and mysterious story of a body found in car on a quiet side street now has a name. Kirk Flowers was found shot to death, according to Big Black News Blog, "wrapped in a bed sheet in the backseat of his 2008 Dodge Charger. The car was discovered in the 1400 block of West Rosemont Ave. in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood." BBNB quotes Chicago Police as saying that Flowers, described as African-American, 26, 5-feet 11-inches and 205 lbs, "was shot several times; his body was wrapped in a bed sheet, bound with duct-tape, and there were signs of fire damage to the inside of his vehicle."

It's a gruesome story. Flowers' body was discovered late in the afternoon of Friday, May 14. The car, parked in the quiet, tree-lined 1400 block of W. Rosemont in the Edgewater neighborhood, was inspected and towed away as evidence and further examination around 5:30 p.m., according to what a witness told Chicago News Bench yesterday. 

Chicago Breaking News today reported that the care "was locked and had signs of smoke and fire damage inside the vehicle, according to a police source. It was taken to the medical examiner's office with the body inside to keep evidence intact, police said." Witnesses also say that the body of Flowers was in the front passenger seat, and that window had been broken or shattered by gunfire.

 
The blog of Lost N Missing, Inc. posted an alert about Kirk Flowers on May 14. It said that he "was last seen on May 8 and may be driving his red 2008 Dodge Charger sedan with an Illinois license plate number of A295353. Please note he recently lost his job and may be very depressed. His family and friends are very worried." It was in the same Dodge Charger that his body was found only hours after the notice was posted. The Chicago Sun-Times reported today that "The alert was cancelled at 10:14 a.m. Saturday, police said. The car was found about a half mile from Flowers’ home."

RELATED:
Body Found in Car in Edgewater Chicago News Bench

Body Found in Car in Edgewater (Updated)

UPDATE, May 15, 10:34 PM: Dead Man In Car on Edgewater Street Was Rogers Park Resident Kirk Flowers, 26, who had been missing since... UPDATE, May 15, 2:53 AM: Two Chicago Police detectives confirmed for Chicago News Bench that a body was found in a car in the 1400 block of W. Rosemont Avenue late yesterday afternoon in the Edgewater neighborhood on Chicago's far north lakefront. Photos: Top Left: Looking west on Rosemont from N. Glenwood; Top Right: Looking west from N.W. corner of Glenwood and Rosemont. Photos taken at 11:45 p.m., May 14, 2010. CNB spoke with detectives near the scene at 1:15 a.m. this morning. A neighbor told CNB that a small stretch of W. Rosemont was blocked off by police between N. Glenwood and the first alley to the west at "around 5:30" on Friday afternoon. Chicago Breaking News, May 14, 8:30 PM: "Detectives were investigating in Edgewater this evening after a body was found in a vehicle there, a police spokesman said. The car was found in the 1400 block of West Rosemont Avenue, said Chicago Police Officer Dan O'Brien. It was unclear what happened to the person in the car." CBN also reports that the "front passenger window apparently broken or shot out."

Man Charged in Burglary That "Killed" Sgt. Alan Haymaker

Suspect Larry Brown, 28

When Chicago Police Sergeant Alan Haymaker lost control of his squad car just past 5:00 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 22, he was en route to the scene of a burglary at Verizon Wireless, 3176 N. Clark Street, Chicago.  

Larry Brown, 28, of Markham, IL (photo) has been charged with burglary and with obstructing identification.

The CPD media statement (see below), and most of the media, are reporting that the burglary occurred "in the 3100 block of N. Clark St." Some media and blogs are incorrectly saying that the address was "3167 N. Clark St." 

However, I phoned Verizon Wireless at 12:03 p.m. today and asked the woman who answered if the manager was in. Yes, she said, then asked who was calling. I said "a reporter." She then said that the manager was not taking calls. "Okay," I said, "so you've pretty much confirmed for me that yours is the cell phone store that was burglarized on Monday morning, right?" Silence from her, then, "I can't say anything about that." And that, ladies and gentlemen, is an unintentional confirmation. Why is this important? Because a man who protected others for years was killed on his way to defend that address and the property inside of it, that's why.  

Sgt. Alan Haymaker

It is ridiculous to hide the address, since the Verizon Wireless store seems to be the only cell phone store "in the 3100 block of N. Clark Street" and divulging it cannot reasonably be considered as giving away private information. It's a bit like saying "the only ten-story building in the 3100 block of Makebelieve Street" and not expecting people to figure out which buidling it is just because you didn't give the exact address. Referring to "a cell phone store in the 3100 block" is just as stupid.  

CPD Supt. Jody Weis said he wants to charge those responsible for this burglary with murder in the death of Sgt. Haymaker. Initial reports were that two people were sought in connection with the burglary. It's interesting that murder is not one of the charges brought against Brown - not yet, anyway.  

From: nwsaffr@chicagopolice.org 

Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:29 Subject: Offender charged today in connection with burglary of cellular phone store on Feb. 22nd in the 3100 block of N. Clark St. Chicago Police have charged an offender today in connection with the burglary of a cellular phone store in the 3100 block of N. Clark St. The burglary occurred on Monday, February 22, 2010 shortly after 5:30 a.m. Larry Brown, 28, of the 16500 block of Park Av. in Markham, Il. was charged with: • Obstructing Identification • Burglary Brown is expected to appear in Felony Bond Court today. **Mug shot attached** Chicago Police Department Office of News Affairs (312) 745-6110 Fax (312) 745-6999

 

Arrest Made in Fatal N. Side Chicago Fire

Chicago - Jan. 17, 2010 - Mahab Hassan, 26, of the 6700 block of N. Sheridan Rd., has been charged with aggravated arson, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and first degree murder, according to police News Affairs Officer John Mirabelli. - Chicago Sun-Times Hassan is charged with starting a deadly fire on January 14 in a multiple unit apartment building at 6720 N. Sheridan Road in the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago. The fire killed a 49 year old man, Noor Surani. Five other people were injured (including a firefighter), and 25 residents of the building were displaced. According to the Sun-Times report, Chicago Police detectives "found two points of origin for the cause of the fire as well as recovered a one gallon can of gasoline in the hallway, according to a detective with Bomb & Arson." RELATED: Man Arrested, Charged in Fatal North Side Blaze - FoxNews See video by Rogers Park resident Al Iverson here. and here. Leave a Comment * Conservative T-Shirts * Follow CNB on Twitter * RSS Feed

Death at Malden Arms Apartments, Chicago (Update 2)

UPDATE, 2:01 a.m., July 20: A man was found dead in his room at a northside Chicago SRO apartment building. He was in his late 40s and was last seen shortly before he died. Fellow residents say he had a history of alcohol abuse and seizures. According to a report by Lorraine Swanson at Lake Effect News, "A detective came out and could be overheard reading a list of prescription medications found in the man’s room, and asking if the drugs combined with alcohol could cause a person to faint or fall. The detectives left the apartment approximately 90 minutes later. The detective said there was 'a knot' on the back of the man’s head." More from Lake Effect News (Sunday, July 19th, 2009, 8:10 p.m.)...

Chicago News Bench broke this story at 4:55 p.m., 7/19/2009: A "DOA" ("dead on arrival") was reported just after 4:30 p.m. today at The Malden Arms Aparments, an SRO at 4727 N. Malden in Chicago's north side Uptown neighborhood. This building is owned by Mercy Housing Lakefront, which owns another SRO building on the same block. 

That building is The Miriam Apartments, which has had many problems and complaints recently. (See "Mercy Lakefront Housing and the Story That Refuses to Happen") We have not yet heard the cause of death. At this writing (4:55 p.m.), police and fire officials are still investigating. 

Update x4: Hit-Run Devon and Western Kills THREE

FINAL UPDATE: THREE DEAD: "Adams Oshana said he was in a nearby Dunkin' Donuts on Rosemont Avenue and Western when someone told him about the crash. He later identified his brother's body at the scene and walked away crying." (Source: Chicago Breaking News) NOTE: As of 2:21 a.m. Tuesday, only Chicago News Bench is reporting that three people are dead as a result of the Western-Devon crash. The two victims that were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanstion died around midnight (see Update x2, below...) UPDATE x1: At 10:38 p.m. on Monday, May 4, a 911 call was made to Chicago emergency dispatch about a hit-and-run involving at least three pedestrians at N. Western and W. Devon. Based on a call from a Chicago News Bench reader, and on our own scanning of police frequencies, at least two victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital in nearby Evanston. It is believed, but unconfirmed by CNB, that there may have been a third victim, who died at the accident scene. (See final update at top of this post.) UPDATE x2: At 12:08 a.m. Tuesday, a CPD officer at St. Francis Hospital said on his radio that "both victims" at St. Francis Hospital were "just pronounced" (pronounced dead). As of midnight, the southbound lanes 6300 block of N. Western were still closed for the investigation. UPDATE x3: At 1:15 a.m. Tuesday, 05 May, police re-opened the closed southbound lanes of the 6300 block of N. Western Avenue as the major accident investigation comes to a close. We have not yet heard whether the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle has been caught, but it is believed that the accident may have been recorded on a nearby camera. CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter

HIT-RUN KILLS THREE AT DEVON AND WESTERN

EXCLUSIVE - Updated 2:27 a.m., May 5: The hit-and-run accident at Devon and Western claimed three lives (Chicago Breaking News is saying two dead, one at the scene on at the hospital, but they didn't hear a CPD officer call out that "both victims pronounced" dead at 12:08 a.m.) A car struck three pedestrians just after 10:30 p.m. on Monday at the intersection of N. Western and W. Devon in Chicago. Two victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where they were pronounced dead just after midnight. (Source: 24th District police frequency 460.375) A third victim died at the scene of the accident. ALSO SEE: Update x3: Car Hits Pedestrians, Runs From Devon and Western CommieBama Hats and More Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Follow ChiNewsBench on Twitter

Death In An Uptown The Alley: Woman's Body Found Monday

Chicago, January 5, 2009: Uptown Update reports today: A tow truck driver found the woman’s body about 3:20 a.m. in an alley on the 5200 block of North Kenmore Avenue, according to police, who said the woman appears to be white and there was some blood on the scene... Full post at Uptown Update

DEAD BODY FOUND IN HOUSE, 1700 BLOCK W. CARMEN AVENUE, "BEEN THERE ABOUT A WEEK"

NOV. 4, 2008 - The Bench Exclusive - At 9:20 PM this evening, Chicago police dispatch called out that a dead body had been discovered in a house in the 1700 block of W. Carmen Avenue, Chicago, 60640. At 9:28, a CPD body removal team was en route. DEVELOPING. UPDATE #1: CPD officer on scene reported that the body has been in the house "for about a week..."