Person of interest sought in Va. student's disappearance

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Charlottesville police have released a description of a person of interest in the disappearance of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham.

The man was seen with Graham, 18, of Alexandria on the Downtown Mall in Charlottesville around 1:15 a.m. Saturday, according to police.

Police said a another man who was seen walking behind Graham in surveillance video reported seeing the man put his arm around Graham while she was walking on the mall early Saturday morning.

TUESDAY:Police resume search for missing Virginia student

MONDAY:#BringHannahHome: UVa. community fights to locate missing student

The man in the video came to police and told them he was following Graham because she seemed to be in distress, police said.

The person of interest is not seen in the video.

The witness said Graham and the other man started talking and it appeared they either knew each other or the man was trying to help her, according to police.

Police said the person of interest is described as a black male, 5-feet-10 to 5-feet-11, 250 to 285 pounds, with a close-shaved head, goatee, and a slight "beer belly." He is described as being in his late 20s to early 30s and wearing black jeans and a white t-shirt, police said.

Friends last heard from Graham via text message at 1:20 a.m. Friday. She is 5-foot-11 with blue eyes, light brown hair and freckles. Surveillance photos show Graham dressed in the black slacks and gold and black crop top with mesh cutouts that she was believed to be wearing when she disappeared.