The family of missing UVA student Hannah Graham issued a statement Saturday pleading with the public for any information as to the whereabouts of their daughter, who went missing in the early-morning hours of Sept. 13.
Sue Graham, Hannah’s mother, read a statement in a video released by the City of Charlottesville.
“Somebody listening to me today either knows where Hannah is, or knows someone who has that information. We appeal to you to come forward and tell us where Hannah can be found,” she said, her husband, Hannah’s father, John, at her side.
Jesse Matthew, 32, is in jail on a charge of abduction with intent to defile in connection with the disappearance. Matthew has now also been linked to the disappearance of another young coed, Morgan Harrington, a Virginia Tech student who went missing in 2009 after attending a Metallica concert on Grounds at the John Paul Jones Arena. Harrington was found dead on a farm south of Charlottesville in 2010.
Matthew has not spoken with investigators as to Graham’s whereabouts.
The full statement from Sue Graham:
“My name is Sue Graham. At my side is my husband John. As you know we are Hannah’s parents. I will now read a brief statement.
“Firstly, we would like again to express our enormous gratitude to all those who have been involved in the search for Hannah, including the police, the professional search teams, the people staffing the telephone tip line, UVa students, our friends, neighbours and work colleagues as well as the citizens of Charlottesville and the surrounding area. We would also like to thank the many, many kind people who have supported our family during this terrible ordeal through words, deeds, thoughts and prayers. We also owe our sincere thanks to the City of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia and the concerned citizens who have contributed a total of $100,000 to the reward which is being offered for information leading to Hannah’s return. We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of you all.
“As you are all aware, an individual has been charged with the abduction of our beloved daughter Hannah. However, despite extensive search efforts, no trace of Hannah has been found since she disappeared in the early hours of Saturday September the 13th, now more than three weeks ago. The police have received thousands of tips, and to each one of you who made the effort to call in with information, we express our heartfelt thanks. We also thank all of you who have actively searched your properties and reported the results to the police. However, despite all your efforts, Hannah is still missing.
“Somebody listening to me today either knows where Hannah is, or knows someone who has that information. We appeal to you to come forward and tell us where Hannah can be found. John has already said that this is every parent’s worst nightmare. That is true, but it is also a nightmare for our son, James, for Hannah’s grandparents and other members of our family, as well as for all of Hannah’s many friends here in Charlottesville and beyond. Please, please, please help end this nightmare for all of us. Please help us to bring Hannah home.
“Thank you.”
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