Hannah Graham missing: Police identify person of interest

Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr was named in connection with the 18-year-old’s disappearance

Hannah Graham has not been seen since 13 September (Charlottesville Police )

Police searching for missing University of Virginia student Hannah Graham have identified a 32-year-old man as a person of interest in the case.

Jesse Leroy Matthew Jr was named on Saturday in connection with the 18-year-old’s disappearance, after police searched his car and apartment.

However, authorities said that Matthew, a nursing assistant at University of Virginia Hospital, had not been charged and is not in custody.

According to WUSA9, Matthew went to the Charlottesville Police Department on Saturday afternoon, where he asked for a lawyer. But police did not speak to him and he was said to have sped away from the station.

Chief Longo said during a press conference on Sunday that he believed Matthew was the last person seen with Hannah.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s parents thanked the police and appealed for information about their daughter’s whereabouts. She was last seen in the early hours of 13 September.

Her father John said: “I think the reason that Hannah has such marvellous support is that this is every parent's nightmare.

“We need to find out what happened to Hannah, and make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else.”