Investigators have pieced together the movements of a missing University of Virginia student the night she went missing , with the police chief saying they believe she got into a car with a man . Charlottesville Police Chief Timothy Longo stopped short of calling the man a suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham , saying he was still considered `` a person of interest . '' `` Let me just say this , we are interested in him , '' Longo told reporters during a news conference . Graham , 18 , was last seen early September 13 in an area of Charlottesville known as the downtown mall . Using surveillance video and witness statements , authorities tracked Graham along the mall . At one point , she was seen with a man going into a bar , where he ordered a drink , Longo said . They were then seen leaving the bar together . Investigators also know the man drove away from the area in a burnt orange 1998 Chrysler coupe that was parked near the bar , Longo said . `` My point is this , people saw Hannah and people saw him , and people saw them together , '' he told reporters during a news conference . `` ... If you remember seeing that vehicle and you remember seeing somebody get back in it , and you remember seeing somebody drive away , then we need to hear from you . '' The details were released just hours after authorities searched an apartment and a car belonging to the man . `` Is he in custody ? No , '' Longo said . `` ... Was there probable cause to arrest him ? No . '' Longo declined to say what investigators seized during the searches . Investigators are offering a $ 50,000 reward for `` information leading to the cause '' of her disappearance , police said . Graham , a sophomore , is described as a straight-A student and an accomplished athlete from northern Virginia . She 's about 5-foot-11 with blue eyes , light brown hair and freckles , the university said in a release asking for tips about the teen 's disappearance . Graham left a dinner with a group of friends around 11 p.m. last Friday . Around 1:20 a.m. Saturday , she sent a text to friends saying she was lost , CNN affiliate WTVR reported . Police believe she may have been under the influence of alcohol , Longo has said , and may have been vulnerable or unable to defend herself . Her parents attended a candlelight vigil Thursday night organized by students , which the couple described as `` extremely moving . '' `` We were comforted by the evident high esteem in which our cherished daughter is held by her many friends at the University of Virginia and beyond , '' John and Sue Graham said in a statement . `` We continue to be optimistic that Hannah will soon be returned safely to us . '' The police chief said he has not given up hope Graham will be found . `` I will always be hopeful until we find Hannah , '' he said . Graham 's parents have n't given up hope either , he said . `` They are hurt . They are concerned . They are frustrated , '' he said . `` But not for one second have I discerned that they have ever lost hope they will find their daughter . '' Missing nursing student 's remains found in Tennessee .
Police chief stops short of calling `` person of interest '' a suspect . Investigators have pieced together Hannah Graham 's movements . Authorities believe the student got into a car belonging to the `` person of interest ''