Missing Virginia Student Update: Police Issue Arrest Warrant for Jesse Matthew, Who Was the Last Man Seen With Hannah Graham
ByAuthorities have issued arrest warrants for Jesse Leroy Matthew, the last person believed to be seen with missing University of Virginia (UVa) student Hannah Graham.
According to the Associated Press, Matthew is wanted on a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving, but no warrant has been issued for kidnapping. Virginia State Police said they want to question Matthew since he had been seen with the 18-year-old student just before she disappeared.
Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo announced the warrant for Matthew's arrest at a news conference Sunday, the day after he willingly met with authorities.
Matthew arrived at the station Saturday with multiple family members and wound up asking for a lawyer during the meeting with police. After leaving, police trailed Matthew, but did not conceal their tail, which apparently caused him to drive at an "alarming speed" that endangered other drivers.
A Virginia State Police spokeswoman said Sunday night that the officers were performing "surveillance" and did not pursue.
"I believe Jesse Matthew was the last person she was seen with before she vanished off the face of the Earth because it's been a week and we can't find her," Longo said at the news conference. "I've made no mistake about it. We want to talk to Jesse Matthew. We want to talk to him. We want to talk to him about his interaction with this sweet, young girl we can't find."
According to Reuters, Longo indicated he strongly believes Matthew knows something about Graham's whereabouts, though police learned little from his one-hour meeting.
"I know they talked a little bit and I know they walked right out that door," Longo said. "I hope and pray that we might have the opportunity to talk with Jesse Matthew again."
Hannah's parents, John and Susan, were also at the news conference Sunday and brought with them their daughter's favorite childhood toy, a stuffed white bunny.
"This is every parent's worst nightmare. Everybody in this room and those watching knows that what happened to Hannah could happen to their child. We need to find out what happened to Hannah and make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else," John Graham said. "Please, please, please, if you have anything, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, call the police tip line.
"Anything might help us to bring Hannah home."
UVa has set up a wepage and a Facebook page to provide instructions for anyone wishing to provide a tip or other information regarding Hannah Graham.
"Anyone with information regarding Hannah is asked to contact the Charlottesville Police Department at 434-970-3280 or Crimestoppers at 434-977-4000. Michael Gibson Chief, University Police."