Virginia State Police say they are receiving hundreds of tips and following up on each one in the effort to learn what has happened to missing 20-year-old Virginia Tech student Morgan Harrington.

Investigators were back at the University of Virginia campus Thursday combing through the last place where Morgan was seen. However, nothing new or significant has been found.

The case has gained national attention.

Locally, Morgan's friends have been watching the coverage. They are helping the search effort in hope of finding answers.

Missing person fliers are up all over the James Madison University campus. Before Morgan went to Charlottesville for the Metallica concert Saturday, she went to JMU to meet a friend.

Friends have also started a blog devoted to finding Morgan. They plan to hold a vigil in Roanoke Thursday night.

Her close friends are leading the local effort to tell as many people as possible about the case. The hope is that one of the many tips generated will lead to answers or to Morgan herself.

Local disc jockey Ryan O'Bryan is one of those people trying to help find Morgan. His family has been close with the Harringtons for many years.

"It's an empty feeling. It's a scary feeling, especially when it's someone you know. It becomes that much more real," says O'Bryan.

O'Bryan knew Morgan as a child. Her parents have been in contact with O'Bryan's family since Sunday when they filed a missing persons report.

"Oh, my mom is terribly upset over it, sick over the situation. [Morgan's] family definitely wants her back. It's not likely Morgan left willingly," says O'Bryan.

Morgan's parents are reaching out to anyone who will listen.

In an interview earlier this week, Gil Harrington said, "We have to be strong right now and keep doing whatever we can do, just like we want her to be strong and keep doing whatever she can do."

O'Bryan says Morgan is a good student. She took piano lessons when she was younger.

"She's a girl very into music and friends and having a good time, but very focused on studying and doing well in school," says O'Bryan.

O'Bryan says Morgan had been looking forward to the Metallica concert for several months.

He says her being gone this long without talking to her family is very unusual. He says she was planning to study math with her dad Sunday afternoon.

"My hope is that she's still alive. I hope she's strong enough to live through this experience," says O'Bryan.

A reward of at least $50,000 is being offered in this case. Details of that are expected to be finalized soon.

If you have seen Morgan or have information about her disappearance, you're asked to call 434-352-3467.