NH NH - Maura Murray, 21, Haverhill, 9 Feb 2004 - #14

[jaejae]

I personally have little time for James Renner's theories in this case and give them little credence but his blog about the case had interesting information about the case and other cases such as the murder of Amy Mihaljevic. I do not know him and it is nothing personal as such but in my view his behaviour towards the Murray family is not great. However as I say it is interesting always to find out information about cases including from James Renner and I will give this case another bump with a recent Podcast that features Mr Renner:

 

[Kittycat01]

I do think Maura had some “issues” to put it delicately. Severe mental problems probably not, but she had problems for sure. The shoplifting makeup which led to her leaving West Point, the credit card fraud, the breakdown she had right before she left school where her supervisor escorted her to her room because she was hysterical, This adds up to a troubled person. Does this mean she was suicidal? Maybe or maybe not.

 

[SpanishMossAntiques]

I do think Maura had some “issues” to put it delicately. Severe mental problems probably not, but she had problems for sure. The shoplifting makeup which led to her leaving West Point, the credit card fraud, the breakdown she had right before she left school where her supervisor escorted her to her room because she was hysterical, This adds up to a troubled person. Does this mean she was suicidal? Maybe or maybe not.

There were undercurrents in her life that would obviously create instability, uncertainty, and possibly a level of chaos that left her not exactly making sound decisions or even caring for herself well...

 

[PaulR]

I do think Maura had some “issues” to put it delicately. Severe mental problems probably not, but she had problems for sure. The shoplifting makeup which led to her leaving West Point, the credit card fraud, the breakdown she had right before she left school where her supervisor escorted her to her room because she was hysterical, This adds up to a troubled person. Does this mean she was suicidal? Maybe or maybe not.

It points to her overall poor judgment. What would someone do given the accident? Would she wait for the authorities, would she accept a ride, would she run into the woods hoping to postpone dealing with the problem?

 

[Nadal]

If the dad said that in the early days of the search it might have been taken out of context. I could see a parent saying "Oh she'll be home or we'll find her passed out naked on a mountain" almost as joke.

That's what the explanation has always been. Apparently Fred would tell a "joke" to Maura and her siblings about him drinking himself to death on a mountain when he gets old and sick. It was called the "Old Squaw Walk" and apparently (this is taking from another forum) it was "a reference to the fact that in their traditional past, the elderly juices of some Native American tribes chose to walk away from their people and die in the wilderness when they were no longer able to look after themselves or contribute to tribal life. ". I guess it was a local folklore thing. Minazoe may have been mixing that part up with the book.

 

[minazoe]

yes, this is exactly what I was speaking about, thank you that puts it in a bit of different context.. thanks

mOO

 

[tigerteeth]

This is why I just cannot understand why Erinn does not think Maura was drinking. Why else would she run? Most people would stay put or locked in their car if needed, or would want a witness calling authorities.

 

[embufum]

This is why I just cannot understand why Erinn does not think Maura was drinking. Why else would she run? Most people would stay put or locked in their car if needed, or would want a witness calling authorities.

Maybe but she just had an accident two days before and was in possession of insurance papers she needed to fill out for the previous accident.

 

[sony12]

Maybe but she just had an accident two days before and was in possession of insurance papers she needed to fill out for the previous accident.

It wouldn't matter in that situation though as they would still have record of it. If however she decided to run off for a little while because she had been drinking they wouldn't be able to charge her with driving under the influence because they wouldn't have proof that she was drunk.

Really the only logical explanations for her leaving that car would be that she was running away from life in general and didn't want to be found or she was trying to avoid a DUI.

 

[jaejae]

I think Maura was likely the victim of foul play and my suspect is the Connecticut River Killer. She did have perhaps more than her fair share of her troubles at the time but many young people do and none of us are perfect and have down times. Any crime victim has there life put in a goldfish bowl. It is clear her family cared very much about her and I think she was a nice girl. Who knows if Maura was alive today she would probably be a nurse helping others. Here is an older report but recently posted on You Tube:

 

[jaejae]

I think Maura was likely the victim of foul play and my suspect is the Connecticut River Killer. She did have perhaps more than her fair share of her troubles at the time but many young people do and none of us are perfect and have down times. Any crime victim has there life put in a goldfish bowl. It is clear her family cared very much about her and I think she was a nice girl. Who knows if Maura was alive today she would probably be a nurse helping others. Here is an older report but recently posted on You Tube:

The Tandem Driver theory is one that has passed me by:

 

[rockcandy]

Not much of a poster, but in the early days there was talk of 2, I believe brothers, that worked at a ski resort and drove by the accident scene daily. Seems like with there access to heavy equipment, and the frozen ground that would be worth a look.

 

[Deleted member 238128]

Not much of a poster, but in the early days there was talk of 2, I believe brothers, that worked at a ski resort and drove by the accident scene daily. Seems like with there access to heavy equipment, and the frozen ground that would be worth a look.

The Loon Mountain Two. Didn’t turn in for work allegedly the day after Maura’s disappearance.

 

[embufum]

Just my opinion but I think the most logical place for Maura to walk to to maybe use a phone would be the house the brought the dogs to. This place was very close and looked big enough that Maura May have thought they were a bed and breakfast. One of the past owners posted the recent news article about the dog search on their Facebook page. I found that kind of odd.

 

[Deleted member 238128]

Just my opinion but I think the most logical place for Maura to walk to to maybe use a phone would be the house the brought the dogs to. This place was very close and looked big enough that Maura May have thought they were a bed and breakfast. One of the past owners posted the recent news article about the dog search on their Facebook page. I found that kind of odd.

I agree that may be the most obvious house, but why would Maura refuse the offer from Butch Atwood to go to his and his wife’s house and prefer to walk off in the cold and dark to knock on a complete stranger’s house instead?

 

[Deleted member 238128]

The Loon Mountain Two. Didn’t turn in for work allegedly the day after Maura’s disappearance.

I actually think there may have been three of them but will need to check!

 

[embufum]

I agree that may be the most obvious house, but why would Maura refuse the offer from Butch Atwood to go to his and his wife’s house and prefer to walk off in the cold and dark to knock on a complete stranger’s house instead?

You would think but it’s been said because his was a bigger somewhat intimidating looking guy she may have shied away. Plus from where she stood I don’t think she could see his house and she may have thought he was lying about being married.

 

[Nadal]

I agree that may be the most obvious house, but why would Maura refuse the offer from Butch Atwood to go to his and his wife’s house and prefer to walk off in the cold and dark to knock on a complete stranger’s house instead?

As well as him looking intimidating he also knew about the crash and was trying to get police involved which if Maura was drunk she couldn't be having as her charges for the credit card fraud were supposed to drop that month if she stayed out of trouble.

 

[Deleted member 238128]

As well as him looking intimidating he also knew about the crash and was trying to get police involved which if Maura was drunk she couldn't be having as her charges for the credit card fraud were supposed to drop that month if she stayed out of trouble.

These are good reasons in my mind for not accepting Butch’s help, but in my opinion are the same reasons why Maura wouldn’t knock on a nearby door.

 

[Nadal]

These are good reasons in my mind for not accepting Butch’s help, but in my opinion are the same reasons why Maura wouldn’t knock on a nearby door.

I don't think she knocked on a nearby door either. But to play devils advocate they aren't necessarily the same reasons. If she travelled up the road a bit and went to a door that person wouldn't know about the crash unless she told them and wouldn't call the police if she was just asking to use their phone to call AAA or family or whatever.

I agree it wouldn't make sense Maura going to the house right next to Butch's if that's the one you mean though.