NH NH - Maura Murray, 21, Haverhill, 9 Feb 2004 - # 9

[McSpy]

But McSpy there just might not be any evidence. There might not be no black & white.

Like I said, I could be wrong, but I'm just going with my gut and where the evidence goes. I remember another case where my first instinct ended up being the answer. After months of various theories being analyzed and debated on the case, it turned out to be a simple case of a vehicle going off the side of a cliff! So I'm just going with what makes sense to me so far. This doesn't mean I will never change my mind in the future though.

 

[OldSteve]

A flurry of activity here - all most interesting.

If we are going to go down the rode of having a secret affair - then how about taking off to have a secret affair with another woman and wanting to be far away from UMass as possible so no one would see them! Nor would they travel together for the same reason.

I mention this just to show how we can take something a person does out of context and come up with a scenario that while logical, is without any proof.

 

[McSpy]

A flurry of activity here - all most interesting.

If we are going to go down the rode of having a secret affair - then how about taking off to have a secret affair with another woman and wanting to be far away from UMass as possible so no one would see them! Nor would they travel together for the same reason.

I mention this just to show how we can take something a person does out of context and come up with a scenario that while logical, is without any proof.

BBM

Actually, the thought crossed my mind while we were discussing a secret affair! Lol! I agree, without any evidence, theories can go wild and off into many directions. It doesn't mean that some of these theories implausible, but without evidence they seem unlikely. I have no problem discussing them either. It is a good exercise to tease them out. I'm fine with agreeing to disagree and I am aware I could be wrong. However, in this case, I think young 20 something single females will slip up if they are keeping secrets (especially if it is the secret lover's secret. He is the one who needs to be very careful---not her). Usually someone catches on somehow. For example, Maura's credit card caper.

JMO

 

[shadowdancer]

The only problem with all of these possible scenarios, is that they only explain why ended up on the road she was last seen on. They don't explain what happened when she got there.

Of course, the reason for her being there may provide the clue as to what ultimately became of Maura, eg if it was a secret lover, he may have done something to her or they may have started a new life together OR if she was trying to escape her problems for a while, perhaps she was depressed enough to take her own life.

On the other hand, she may have been picked up by a randomly passing psycho and all our theories about why she went there are just background noise.

 

[McSpy]

The only problem with all of these possible scenarios, is that they only explain why ended up on the road she was last seen on. They don't explain what happened when she got there.

Of course, the reason for her being there may provide the clue as to what ultimately became of Maura, eg if it was a secret lover, he may have done something to her or they may have started a new life together OR if she was trying to escape her problems for a while, perhaps she was depressed enough to take her own life.

On the other hand, she may have been picked up by a randomly passing psycho and all our theories about why she went there are just background noise.

Totally agree.

On another thought, makes me wonder if the 75% of what they need for a conviction the NH LE told the court in FM's suit has any merit. I keep on forgetting about that statement. Wonder if it was BS or not? They must have an eye on someone if it is true. On the other hand, maybe they didn't want FM seeing anything or have the info get out into the public.

JMO

 

[OldSteve]

BBM

Actually, the thought crossed my mind while we were discussing a secret affair! Lol! I agree, without any evidence, theories can go wild and off into many directions. It doesn't mean that some of these theories implausible, but without evidence they seem unlikely. I have no problem discussing them either. It is a good exercise to tease them out. I'm fine with agreeing to disagree and I am aware I could be wrong. However, in this case, I think young 20 something single females will slip up if they are keeping secrets (especially if it is the secret lover's secret. He is the one who needs to be very careful---not her). Usually someone catches on somehow. For example, Maura's credit card caper.

JMO

BBM - yes! agree!

 

[OldSteve]

snipped:

The only problem with all of these possible scenarios, is that they only explain why ended up on the road she was last seen on. They don't explain what happened when she got there.

Yes! Totally agree as well. Curious what you think happened to her?

Because it is a remote location, the odds go up in my mind that it was someone already mentioned as being there, versus a random stranger passing by whom no one has noticed - add to that, how many people would just happen to pass by and not have been seen by anyone around the crash sight.

 

[Riot]

snipped:
Because it is a remote location, the odds go up in my mind that it was someone already mentioned as being there, versus a random stranger passing by whom no one has noticed - add to that, how many people would just happen to pass by and not have been seen by anyone around the crash sight.

I've forgotten quite a bit about this case already - what became of the guy who, sometime after the accident, came forward as having seen someone fitting Maura's description running down the road that night? AFAIK, the rest of the homeowners in that area made statements to the police that night. It would be pretty ballsy to take her, hide her, and talk to law enforcement, all within 30-45 minutes.

 

[OldSteve]

I've forgotten quite a bit about this case already - what became of the guy who, sometime after the accident, came forward as having seen someone fitting Maura's description running down the road that night? AFAIK, the rest of the homeowners in that area made statements to the police that night. It would be pretty ballsy to take her, hide her, and talk to law enforcement, all within 30-45 minutes.

I think his first name was rick... so doing a google search using
rick maura murray
brings up allot of info...

 

[Riot]

I think his first name was rick... so doing a google search using
rick maura murray
brings up allot of info...

Yeah, some really interesting stuff. If we go with the theory of it having to be someone there that night, he's definitely the most suspicious out of what we could call "known characters." I'm not ready to put Maura's disappearance on him yet, but I don't know why the Renner blog is so quick to dismiss him. The blog seems to say, basically, "People in NH think Rick's a nice guy, and the police searched his trailer sometime after he sold it, so he's okay."

 

[McSpy]

Yeah, some really interesting stuff. If we go with the theory of it having to be someone there that night, he's definitely the most suspicious out of what we could call "known characters." I'm not ready to put Maura's disappearance on him yet, but I don't know why the Renner blog is so quick to dismiss him. The blog seems to say, basically, "People in NH think Rick's a nice guy, and the police searched his trailer sometime after he sold it, so he's okay."

I agree. To me, it seems like Renner was too quick to dismiss him too. Of the known characters, I can see why LE zoomed in on him. Maura's scent ended right in front of his house. He claimed to have seen her running miles up the road--- far from his house where her scent ended. To LE, it must have seemed like this guy was trying to distance her from his house and maybe trying to insert himself in the case to get info from them. Also, there was a newspaper article on a psychic who felt Maura was buried in a construction site (he is a contractor). Shortly after this article was published, he came forward about seeing her running up the road the night of her car crash. He reported this a couple of months after she went missing. He claimed that he got the days mixed up, but after looking at his work records, he realized he did see someone running up the road on the day Maura disappeared. There is no proof he saw the article, but it seems a little suspect to me or an odd coincidence.

He could very well be innocent, but his actions seem suspicious.

 

[OldSteve]

Always enjoy reading your analysis McSpy!

 

[McSpy]

Always enjoy reading your analysis McSpy!

Thanks, OldSteve! Sometimes I think if I analyze enough I'll come upon the answer on what happened to her, but I doubt that will happen unfortunately. I keep trying though. Wishful thinking!

 

[The Farm]

Like I said, I could be wrong, but I'm just going with my gut and where the evidence goes. I remember another case where my first instinct ended up being the answer. After months of various theories being analyzed and debated on the case, it turned out to be a simple case of a vehicle going off the side of a cliff! So I'm just going with what makes sense to me so far. This doesn't mean I will never change my mind in the future though.

I must say in many cases, certainly not all, I will get this gut feeling many times without even knowing the facts and no I am not psychic!!

But not with Maura's. I am blank. I do think there was a very strong possibility though that she was going to meet someone and it does make sense. That is where I think she met with foul play. I do not think she is living a secret life somewhere else.
Of course this is what I am guessing is all.

 

[Simply Caustic]

Those fascinated with this case might enjoy a friend's newly released novel on the topic: B.O.L.O. Be On the Look Out

It's a fictional take on what may have happened to Maura, but it got me interested in finding out more about her disappearance.

Background on his project is at DBLAKENH.com -- the book is available
here.

Thanks for posting this. I just ordered it.

 

[McSpy]

I must say in many cases, certainly not all, I will get this gut feeling many times without even knowing the facts and no I am not psychic!!

But not with Maura's. I am blank. I do think there was a very strong possibility though that she was going to meet someone and it does make sense. That is where I think she met with foul play. I do not think she is living a secret life somewhere else.
Of course this is what I am guessing is all.

I guess the lack of correspondence between her and another guy (phone call records, email) makes me think it was just a spontaneous plan she made alone. Because of her emotional state, I have a hard time believing she would use a sneaky method to get a hold of a secret lover or guy friend. I figure she would have thrown caution to the wind (like she did with her other impulsive decisions and actions) and just called or emailed him. I guess the only other possibility could have been a call from a pay phone or she ran into him on or around campus. Texting wasn't as popular back then, so I doubt she used that method, but I can't be certain. This is how I see it, but I'm aware I could be wrong.

 

[T9D]

The thing is if it was a teacher and a smart one and he's had affairs with students before he may be very adept at being sneaky. And very insistent on how they communicate. He could have a whole career and marriage at stake. Which means no emails or text messages for trails or evidence of an affair.

It's possible this was at the beginning of something being started too. So up until then there wasn't much to get around yet or much to get out. Women just don't typically run off alone for something like this. They just don't.

 

[McSpy]

The thing is if it was a teacher and a smart one and he's had affairs with students before he may be very adept at being sneaky. And very insistent on how they communicate. He could have a whole career and marriage at stake. Which means no emails or text messages for trails or evidence of an affair.

It's possible this was at the beginning of something being started too. So up until then there wasn't much to get around yet or much to get out. Women just don't typically run off alone for something like this. They just don't.

I disagree. It may not happen often and it isn't typical, but it does happen. In fact, Maura took off to Boston on her own without telling anyone when she was a minor.

 

[OldSteve]

I agree. To me, it seems like Renner was too quick to dismiss him too. Of the known characters, I can see why LE zoomed in on him. Maura's scent ended right in front of his house. He claimed to have seen her running miles up the road--- far from his house where her scent ended. To LE, it must have seemed like this guy was trying to distance her from his house and maybe trying to insert himself in the case to get info from them. Also, there was a newspaper article on a psychic who felt Maura was buried in a construction site (he is a contractor). Shortly after this article was published, he came forward about seeing her running up the road the night of her car crash. He reported this a couple of months after she went missing. He claimed that he got the days mixed up, but after looking at his work records, he realized he did see someone running up the road on the day Maura disappeared. There is no proof he saw the article, but it seems a little suspect to me or an odd coincidence.

He could very well be innocent, but his actions seem suspicious.

In a number of cases I've seen the "distancing" you mentioned, as well as a POI mentioning contact of some kind with a victim in a way the appears odd. It's like the pressure/worry/fear that LE will be calling upon them causes them to come forward prematurely... but I do agree, could just be a coincidence in this case.

I was thinking about MM simply going off and starting a new life to escape all her recent problems - but the more I thought about it, the more unlikely it seemed. Considering the blunder she made using someone's credit card, and how poorly that was thought-through; I don't think she could have pulled off creating a new identity, living incognito, and supporting herself.

Could she do this with the help of a new lover? - Maybe for a year or two, but odds of her secretly finding someone completely under the radar and remaining happy ever-after with? What might first seem like escape would turn into something more of feeling trapped.

 

[BillNH]

In a number of cases I've seen the "distancing" you mentioned, as well as a POI mentioning contact of some kind with a victim in a way the appears odd. It's like the pressure/worry/fear that LE will be calling upon them causes them to come forward prematurely... but I do agree, could just be a coincidence in this case.

I was thinking about MM simply going off and starting a new life to escape all her recent problems - but the more I thought about it, the more unlikely it seemed. Considering the blunder she made using someone's credit card, and how poorly that was thought-through; I don't think she could have pulled off creating a new identity, living incognito, and supporting herself.

Could she do this with the help of a new lover? - Maybe for a year or two, but odds of her secretly finding someone completely under the radar and remaining happy ever-after with? What might first seem like escape would turn into something more of feeling trapped.

Keep in mind that the one CC she was caught on may not have been the only one. You see it as a blunder...what if it was the one blunder out of 50 successes.

It was not hard to get into Canada from the US in 2004 and even easier to get out of Canada to the rest of the world. The Saturn crash was about 60 miles from a half dozen border crossings. The new life scenario always had and still has legs IMO.