I had read that the only words Maura said to the supervisor were "My sister". Do you know if this is apocryphal?
Slipping into that state of catatonia is likely very important to the case. No idea what it could be. The Varsi connection seems too tight in terms of time for me once you factor in parking.
Many Thanks.
Maura really did say "My Sister"
I interviewed Maura's supervisor in April of 2013.
Here is a very detailed first-hand account from that night Maura mysteriously became upset at work.
Do you remember some specifics on what was said to you, to make you go and check in on Maura sometime shortly before 1 a.m. on that early Friday morning of her dorm monitor shift? Do you remember thinking I must get over there quick it sounds bad?
KM: I forget the exact quotation, however I remember my coworker (fellow supervisor) telling me that, "Something's up with Maura. She has been crying."...but I can't remember how I responded back to him.I also can't remember what further questions I posed to him to get more information, but I remember walking to her dorm knowing she was upset. When I was told that I should go check on her, I was about to go on my break and grab some food, however I didn't take the break and immediately headed to the dorm she was working at. I didn't run there, but walked at a quick pace. I was thinking that I had a friend upset and needed to get there quickly to see what I could do for her, however I did not head to her dorm thinking it was an emergency or of utter urgency.
Prior knowledge for you- we were not friends outside of work, as my student teaching/ coursework/ security job/ raising a kindergarten boy left me for hardly any sleep, thus no social life at all. But while working, we were friendly and would chat together while on duty together.
You described (interview with james) that when you first encountered Maura she was staring blankly ahead and not responsive. How long was she like this? Was she also sobbing at the time or did she start crying minutes later?
KM: Yes, that is correct that when I first encountered her, she was staring blankly ahead and not responsive to me even walking into the dorm. I remember walking in, and she was just staring almost past me, not even focusing on me when I approached the desk. I walked right up to her desk, and noticed right away that her cell phone was on the desk. The reason I noticed this was, we had a big policy against cell phones, as they were distracting to receptionists, and that was one of our big things to check for when on rounds to make sure they weren't out. But anyways, that was the least of my worries, as I was more worried about her emotional state at that point.
As a friend to whoever, I consider myself really good at making my friends feel comfortable and willing to talk to me about what was bothering them, but with Maura that night I was unable to do so. I asked what was wrong (not sure if it was the 2nd or 3rd time I asked her, as she didn't respond to me right away), and then she just said, "My sister" when gesturing towards the cell phone. I then remember she started crying (not sure exactly when she started crying since I entered the dorm...between 2-4 minutes?). When she started crying I remember hugging her right away.
I asked her what was wrong and what could I do for her, and at that point she didn't respond. I was hoping she would tell me more specifically what happened regarding her sister, but she didn't. Then I remember two girls entering the dorm, one lived in the dorm, as she had swiped in her card, but the girl she was with I was unsure. Generally I don't say a thing to them, as the receptionist (i.e. Maura) should be the one to call out asking to show the ID's, and if the friend didn't live there then she would ask them to come on over to the desk and sign her in. When Maura didn't ask for their ID, I knew at that point that she was not in a good emotional state to stay on duty.
I called my head supervisor on duty, and told him that I thought she should stop working for the night, as she was not in a good emotional state to work. At that point I knew that she was done working for the night, but wanted to try to help her any way I could. I shared with her that I was depressed for years, and that I was worried about her in this state. I asked her if I could bring her to the University Mental Health Services, as I told her it was 24 hours a day open, and I could bring her if she was too upset to go on her own.
She shook her head no, and I remember not wanting to be annoying and keep bugging her about it. I then told her if she wanted, when I got off shift in a little while, we could go get some Dunkins together (referring to Dunkin Donuts), as it was still open and we could chat if she wanted someone to talk to. (can't remember if she said no, or shook her head no)...and said she had an early class in the morning.
I noticed a huge nursing book in front of her, and just thinking, jeez, that must be a tricky course and that could be another stressor for her right now. I ripped out a blank piece of lined paper from a notebook and wrote down my cell phone on it, and told her to call me whenever, at any point, if there was anything I could do for her, as I wanted to help her feel better.
As she was not talking to me anymore, I then realized I should get her ready to leave her shift, so I then took out my sheet where she had to sing her key back in, as she was now off duty. She still was sitting there, as normally after that you would get up and grab all your stuff to leave the dorm, I remember picking up her nursing book, physically cleaning up her desk and putting her materials in her backpack (don't remember exactly what else, there was another textbook I believe and a notebook, but am not exactly sure). I then carried her backpack for her, and she followed me out of the dorm and I remember putting my arm around her shoulder while we walked to Kennedy, her dorm, which was basically just like 300 feet away.
I swiped her into her dorm, used my key to get her into the elevator lobby, told her I was worried to leave her alone like this, she told me she had a roommate so it was OK (Found out later she lived in a single), I gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek, and she went up the stairs directly next to the elevator, so I assumed she didn't live too high up in the tower, as generally you take the elevator if you are high up. I think she was 2nd floor, but not completely sure. I then walked back out to the lobby, called my head supervisor again, told him that I was worried about leaving Maura in that state, and he told me thanks for walking her back.
That morning we had snow and classes were cancelled in the AM...I remember thinking, a bit relieved, knowing Maura didn't have classes and could sleep in late and rest. I kept thinking I should call her to check in, then I felt like I was only a work friend, as I never saw her in a different social context, and thought she probably didn't want to share anything private that was upsetting her, as she didn't want to go get coffee the other night. I was very upset when I heard her car crashed in NH and she was missing, as I had felt not good leaving her alone that last night I saw her, and felt extremely sad.
It has been very hard since, even years later, as I wish I had been more persistent at getting her help, but truthfully don't think she was have been receptive to my requests.
And what was your reaction to seeing Maura staring blankly ahead? Was this just a college student day-dreaming or being spaced out, or did you believe right away something was really wrong with Maura?
KM: I totally think that something was really wrong with Maura, as she just looked right past me as I walked into that dorm that night, and was definitely not a day-dream kind of stare.
(jk)
