Probe yields clues to unsolved cases in Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - A forensic clue uncovered in the investigation of a missing University of Virginia student has led investigators to believe they have "a significant break" in the unsolved death of another young woman who had vanished from the campus five years ago, police said Monday, and perhaps an unsolved rape from years before.

Jesse L. Matthew Jr., 32, was charged last week with abduction with intent to defile in the case of 18-year-old Hannah Graham, who was last seen on Sept. 13 after she attended a party.

Leading up to Matthew's arrest, police had searched his car and home and removed items, including clothing, that they consider evidence, though they have not been specific. On Monday, Virginia State Police said in a statement that the arrest "provided a significant break in this case with a new forensic link for state police investigators to pursue" in the death of 20-year-old Morgan Harrington, who, like Graham, vanished from the Charlottesville campus.

The Virginia Tech student from Roanoke had gone to John Paul Jones Arena for a Metallica concert on Oct. 17, 2009. A farmer found her remains three months later in an Albemarle County hayfield, which was among the places searched shortly after Graham disappeared, police have said.

The state police statement provided no specifics about what sort of forensic evidence led to the connection in the cases.

The latest development may also help solve a 2005 sexual assault in Fairfax City, since the FBI previously said DNA from Harrington's attacker matched that of the person who committed the sexual assault. On Monday, police spokeswoman Natalie Hinesley said that in order to maintain the integrity of their investigation, they are not going to comment.