Investigators have identified on Friday "a person of interest" in connection with the disappearance of the student from the University of Virginia.

According to Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo, the missing student was seen getting in a car with a man. However, investigators adamantly clarified that the man is not yet a suspect. He is currently classified as a "person of interest".

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"Let me just say this, we are interested in him," announced Longo on a news conference.

Hannah Graham was last seen by her friends when she left their group after dinner on Friday at roughly 11:00 p.m. She then told her friend that she was lost via a text message sent on Saturday at around 1:20 in the morning. Police also found surveillance footage showing the missing student walking around Charlottesville early Saturday morning.

Investigators believe that Graham may have been under the influence of alcohol, which possibly made her defenseless from any attack or prevented her from properly defending herself. Utilizing the statements from the witnesses and footage from the surveillance camera, authorities pieced together a probable timeline leading to the student's disappearance.

Witnesses claimed that the man identified by the police as "a person of interest" was seen going inside a bar with Graham. He was then seen leaving the place and driving away with her. Longo described the man's car as a 1998 Chrysler vehicle with a burnt orange color. It was last spotted parked near the bar where Graham and the man were reportedly seen together.

"My point is this, people saw Hannah and people saw him, and people saw them together," Longo said as he explained the reason for the man being identified as "a person of interest". "If you remember seeing that vehicle and you remember seeing somebody get back in it, and you remember seeing somebody drive way, then we need to hear from you," he added.

The information were made public hours following the search of the man's apartment and car. However, investigators declined to disclose the items seized.

In addition, a $50,000 reward is currently being offered by the police in exchange for "information leading to the cause" of Graham's disappearance.

Tagsmissing student, University of Virginia, Hannah Graham, major break, person of interest