Metallica's James Hetfield Seeks Help to Catch Fan’s Killer

Band's vocalist puts out a public service announcement to aid the FBI and Virginia police's campaign to solve the murder of a fan who disappeared after a 2009 concert

By Josh Grossberg Jun 14, 2012 9:15 PMTags

Nothing else matters for Metallica when it comes to solving the murder of a fan.

The headbangers' frontman, James Hetfield, filmed a public service announcement asking for the public's help to catch the killer of Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington, who went missing following Metallica's October 9, 2009, concert in Charlottesville, Va. Her skeletal remains turned up three months later.

The PSA is meant to assist the FBI and Virginia State Police in gathering tips that could aid them in identifying a man whom they believe to be a suspect in the slaying.

"Back in 2010, our band offered $50,000 to help catch the person responsible for murdering Morgan Harrington. Since that time authorities have uncovered new evidence linking her killer to a similar assault to a woman in Virginia," said the singer.

The video included police sketches. Hetfield pleaded for anyone who may know the individual or have information on the case to contact local police or submit the information online.

"Remember, any information, no matter how small you might think it is, could be that crucial piece investigators need to help solve the case," said the heavy metal star, adding that there's a $150,000 reward (which includes the $50,000 Metallica already pledged).

According to the feds, Harrington, a 20-year-old aspiring teacher, was last seen hitchhiking after she left the John Paul Jones Arena where the group was playing. Her body was discovered in January 2010 in a remote field on a farm in Albemarle County, Va. DNA recovered in the Harrington case has since been linked to an unknown offender who attacked a woman in Fairfax City in 2005.

Anyone with tips is asked to call the Virginia State Police at 434-352-3467.

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