I don't think the calling card was ever tied to Maura. I am not aware that she had any association with the Red Cross and they have denied that such a card would have been issued by and facilities in that part of New Hamptshire.
If I knew she had a flashlight, I would bet on her being in the woods. Now, I'm thinking she had accepted a ride. This also makes me question the contractor's story. How could she have run 5 miles in complete darkness from the accident scene?
For the second one, I'm similarly suspect of the contractor's story. For all the reasons already indicated (he didn't provide it initially, time and distance might not match up, etc).
I find it interesting that the newspaper article about the psychic, Carla Baron appeared around April 11th and the contractor came forward to the police with his story on April 29th about seeing a person running down the road back in Feb. Here is an excerpt from the newspaper article:
"Baron said she believes Murray hitched a ride with "a clean-cut looking man" in a truck following her car accident the night of Feb. 9. The man then sexually assaulted her and buried her body in a sparsely wooded area that may be a construction site, Baron said."
It's also interesting that the dogs tracked Maura's scent up to the contractor's house. He could very well be innocent and have nothing to do with Maura's disappearance, but I can't help feeling that he was spooked by the newspaper article.
It's quite possible Maura took a ride from someone else--even going west. It would be hard to not see her on the road. I believe most drivers on those roads use their high beams. Since there were fairly high snowbanks, it would have been hard for Maura to avoid being seen by hiding in the shadows. If she ran up 112 or 116, I find it hard to believe no one else spotted her. I realize that those roads are quiet, but in a course of a couple of hours, she should have been noticed by, at least, another driver.
I tend to agree that the contractor needs to be interviewed more intently. Not pointing any fingers, BUT...we all know that perps sometimes interject themselves into an ongoing investigation to find out what LE knows. After Maura's disappearance (not the night of, but later on), who has come forward as a potential witness? I bet there is a short list for LE to reconsider and examine under a microscope. And until your post McSpy, I didn't realize the timing between the psychic's comments and the contractor/witness statement.
Here is another possibility:
His motivation could have been to place her far away from his home by telling LE that he may have seen Maura 4-5 miles up the road.
It's also interesting that the dogs tracked Maura's scent up to the contractor's house.
A possibility that has been given less attention perhaps is that Maura accepted a ride from someone who is, relatively speaking, innocent. That is, she grabs her backpack with her stash of liquor, trudges the hundred yards to the intersection and flags down a ride--perhaps simply indicating that she's out of gas or her car simply broke down and she wants a ride to the nearest gas station/business (or whatever she could've said).
This "innocent interloper" gives her a ride to wherever (maybe a roadside tavern?) and then her ride takes off and whatever happened to Maura originates at this new location.
Some obvious objections are
(i) why hasn't/wouldn't the person who gave Maura the ride come forward?
(ii) what about the contractor's story of seeing someone matching Maura's description running down the road?
For the second one, I'm similarly suspect of the contractor's story. For all the reasons already indicated (he didn't provide it initially, time and distance might not match up, etc).
As to the first, well, a few possibilities. Maybe they simply have never been made aware of Maura being missing or matching that up to having given a young woman a ride on a cold, dark February night. Maybe they became aware but were/are hesitant to come forward and get involved, as they'd immediately be a prime suspect. But then why not an anonymous note indicating that they picked up someone matching MM's description and dropped her off at X location that night? Or maybe they're local and are concerned about being the one to point the police in the direction of the ultimate culprit (out of fear of reprisal or other concerns).
Given the thoroughness of the searches of the area near the accident and that they've all come up completely empty-handed (as far as anyone knows), having Maura leave that area allows for other theories to be considered. Maybe an already slightly buzzed Maura hitches a ride with random person A, who simply drops her off at maybe a bar down the road where Maura continues drinking and maybe chattering to or within earshot of the wrong company.
I always remember reading that the dogs tracked the scent up to the School Bus Driver's house. Is this information from the Investigation Discovery show?
Can I add to "Some obvious objections are"
(iii)Why would she refuse assistance from the School Bus Driver
I dunno what kind of investigations were done, but simply getting in a car and driving each direction from that intersection and identifying the closest/first businesses that likely would have been open and likely inviting for someone in Maura's state at that time would be a first step. Course, six+ years on it's possible businesses have come and gone and the likely turnover of employees/customers.
Maybe this line of investigation was followed back in 2004 and it came up empty.
I do not wish to be a problem, but at the same time I do not relish the thought of another passing year with no daily active pursuit of justice being sought. To me this is unacceptable. How is this justice for Maura?
The powers that be are trying to push me aside with my line of questioning.
Could you explain? What powers? And how do they push you aside?