A day before Morgan Harrington’s family held a memorial service for their daughter at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke, Virginia State Police called a press conference to plead for any local residents with intimate knowledge of Anchorage Farm and the North Garden area to come forward.
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“Community, educate us,” said Lieutenant Joe Rader. “Educate the police.” Rader worked quickly through a six-item list of “points of interest” about the spot on the 750-acre farm where Harrington’s remains were found. Among them: The person responsible for Harrington’s death may have been formally connected to the farm, felt compelled to travel there while under a high level of stress, and that Anchorage Farm was a higher risk location than others.
“Unless you know the area,” said Rader.
Besides Anchorage Farm owner David Bass, those familiar with the area include locals and neighboring property owners. One resident of Blandemar Farm Estates, which abuts Bass’ farm, told C-VILLE Weekly that obstacles between their property and Anchorage include a steep ridge, a creek, woods and several rows of barbed wire fencing. “Not that it couldn’t be done,” said the resident. “It could be done, but with great difficulty. At night, I’d say pretty much impossible.”
As for local residents who might know the terrain, Rader said that police opened a new phone line for those who might possess a similarly deep knowledge of North Garden or Anchorage Farm: (434) 709-1685.
“We believe that people in the community can tell us who frequents the area…what has been out of the ordinary,” said Rader. “We believe that people in the community can contact us.”
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David Bass’ 750-acre farm—bordered to the north by the Blandemar Farm Estates subdivision—is a high risk spot to leave a body, and the key to developing new leads in the investigation of Morgan Harrington, according to Virginia State Police Lieutenant Joe Rader. |
The same day—last Thursday, as a second severe snowstorm was about to once again blanket David Bass’ Anchorage Farm property, where Harrington’s remains surfaced three months after she disappeared—Bass said that his week had returned to normal somewhat.
State police spent three days on his property examining the site where Harrington’s remains were found. The day after he found Harrington’s remains, Bass said, “I did give them the names of people who come to the farm frequently.” He added that he knew some of his neighbors had done the same, “because they’ve told me.”
Among the names Bass turned over to state police were those of maintenance workers, hunters he allowed on his land, acquaintances of his daughter, and a complete list of tenants who have lived in a farm house on his property, dating back 20 years.
“I happened to’ve kept leases, so I had the names,” he said. “No current addresses, but [Virginia State Police] have their names.” He also said that several reporters have asked for access to the farm, but he has not permitted it.
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