Massachusetts Daily Collegian

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A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

A free and responsible press serving the UMass community since 1890

Massachusetts Daily Collegian

The mystery of Maura Murray, 15 years later

The case remains unsolved to this day
Collegian+File+Photo
Collegian File Photo

Despite disappearing over 15 years ago, little progress has been made on the case involving University of Massachusetts student Maura Murray, who vanished without a trace.

On Monday, Feb. 9, 2004, the 21-year-old nursing student born in Hanson, Massachusetts packed up her dorm room, withdrew money from her bank account, contacted her professors to let them know she would be missing that week’s classes due to a death in the family (there was no death in the family) and headed north for the White Mountains in her black 1996 Saturn.

That day’s accident report from the Haverhill, New Hampshire police states that at 7:27 p.m., Murray crashed her car into a tree on Wild Ammonoosuc Road in Woodsville, N.H.

Police were notified of the accident at 7:35 p.m. and arrived on the scene at 7:45 p.m. The officer who filled out the report explains “evidence at the scene indicated the vehicle had been eastbound and had gone off the roadway, struck some trees, spun around and come to rest facing the wrong way in the eastbound lane.”

The windshield had been cracked and damage was done to the driver’s side, front end, front passenger side, rear driver’s side and rear passenger side of the vehicle.

When investigating, police found the car locked and with the driver nowhere in sight.

One witness who spoke to the police said there was a young female behind the wheel with no one else in the vehicle. Despite being told by the driver not to notify the authorities, he called anyways.

“In plain sight behind the driver’s seat of the vehicle I could see a box of Franzia Wine. I could also see red liquid on the driver’s side door and ceiling of the car,” the officer writes in the report.

Before the car was towed by Lavoie’s AutoCare Center, the officer recovered a Coke bottle “that contained a red liquid with a strong alcoholic odor.”

An ambulance arrived at 7:56 p.m. and the EMS and fire personnel, along with a resident of the area, searched the roadway and surrounding area, but had no luck finding the driver. In a later search of the vehicle, it was confirmed the driver was Murray.

The Boston Globe published an article six days after she disappeared and stated, “tracking dogs, helicopters and trained searchers, local and state police, as well as state fish and game officials, covered nearly 20 miles along Route 112, but found no trace of Murray’s footprints in the snow. The tracking dogs lost her scent within 100 feet of the accident, leading investigators and her loved ones to believe she either hitched a ride and continued on her way, or was abducted.”

The blue-eyed, brown-haired woman standing 5-foot-7 was last seen in jeans and a dark colored coat. Since that night, the complicated case has yet to be solved. Murray’s background and events leading up to the night only muddy the waters.

Murray was born on May 4, 1982 to Fredrick and Laurie Murray. She grew up to become a track star at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. She then studied chemical engineering at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point before transferring to UMass three semesters later and switching her field of study to nursing.

She first ran into trouble in Amherst in November 2003 when she was arrested for improper use of a credit card under $250. In the Amherst Police logs from that time, a woman called and reported an unknown subject had used her credit card to make purchases at various restaurants and stores in town, adding she didn’t know if she had lost that card or if it was stolen.

In the case’s narrative, the officer explained he had been able to track down the purchases on the card to Murray. When confronted and asked how she received the card number, she admitted she had noted the number at the bottom of a receipt and copied it down on a notecard.

WCVB states Murray’s charge was dismissed soon after due to good behavior.

Two days before her disappearance, on Saturday, Feb. 7, Fred visited Maura, his daughter, to buy her a new car. Fred details the events of the day in a statement to the UMPD, explaining how he arrived on campus around 12 p.m., drove to Hadley and Northampton in search of a new vehicle with Maura, came back to the Quality Inn where he was staying and went to dinner at Amherst Brewing Company, which has since been taken over by the Hangar Bar & Grill.

At around 9 p.m., Maura and Fred went to pick up Kate, a friend of Maura’s from a parking lot on campus. The three of them went back to ABC and had drinks upstairs. They then stopped at Liquors 44 before the girls dropped Fred off at the Quality Inn.

According to Maura, she had gone out to a party and on her way home, she crashed her father’s car. She claimed she went around the corner, hit some sand and skid, and stated that she hadn’t drank in a while. She never received a ticket or a breathalyzer test.

The car was towed and she made it back to the Quality Inn, where she spent the night. Fred then rented a car and dropped her back off on campus, Sunday afternoon at around 1:30 p.m.

The next evening, the crash in New Hampshire happened and Maura wasn’t seen again.

The case of Maura Murray has spread across the Internet and has been investigated by many. The more internet sleuths becoming invested, the more theories are created and more facts are brought into consideration.

Murray made headlines once again in April 2019 when New Hampshire Associate Attorney General Jeffrey Strelzin announced a home in Woodsville, New Hampshire would be searched for her remains. The home near the scene of Murray’s car crash had the concrete from the basement area removed, and the search turned up empty.

“We did contact the homeowners and they graciously allowed us, gave us consent, to search the home … (They found) absolutely nothing other than a small piece of what looks to be pottery and maybe old piping,” Strelzin said, according to a MassLive article.

“Strelzin said investigators searched the basement area where ground-penetrating radar, financed by private citizens, had detected a disturbance last November,” states a Boston Globe report.

“This one hurts, because I thought we finally had it,” Fred said in the article. “This one is worse than the other false alarms and dead ends. I was pretty sure.”

Other efforts have been made in recent years, including a GoFundMe. The “Find Maura Murray” page was created May 7, 2018 and has raised over $10,000. The proceeds raised will go toward technology, like the ground-penetrating radar, on areas of interest.

The money raised also goes toward a reward for people who can provide information about the disappearance.

“With confirmation by the police that this person has indeed provided information leading to Maura, we will give them the money, as is standard protocol. If it is not claimed in two years we will donate it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children,” the fundraiser’s organizer Maggie Freleng said on the page.

If anyone has information regarding Maura Murray’s disappearance or whereabouts, the New Hampshire Division of State Police can be reached at (800) 852-3411 or (603) 846-3333 or by e-mail at [email protected].

As Freleng states on the GoFundMe, “Someone knows something.”

Editor’s notes: A previous version of this story stated Murray hit someone and skid on her crash on Feb. 8.

Abigail Charpentier can be reached at [email protected].

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  • B

    BeFreeMNov 23, 2021 at 7:17 pm

    I’ve just seen the documentary. The police did kinda botch the investigation by waiting so long, and them keeping so much of what they uncovered a secret even to the family does sound suspicious. I didn’t like knowing the bus driver had died before the documentary was being done, would’ve loved seeing him answer some tough questions and maybe get the his body read by ivy (I think her name was) that did Maura’s sister? And what was up with those coordinates? Big load of nothing.

    Reply
  • M

    mark sauerJan 7, 2021 at 8:19 am

    Hello Laura, you wrote what I would like to say regarding Maura Murray’s case. Believe it or not, I have evidence that would resolve the case. I spoke with a Murray family member first, was asked to contact the N.H. cold case detective. I did that, then I contacted an official in the N.H.Dept. of Justice. I have a lot of experience in these cases, have communicated with the police and the FBI many times, so when I say that they’re actively covering this up, I know what I’m saying. They flat out didn’t want my evidence even before they heard it. I didn’t share too much with them because I got the answer I was seeking. I couldn’t believe it when I came along 2 years ago, there was still confusion about the most basic of things related to LE involvement. Even their time of arrival at the scene and such hadn’t been firmly established. That became priority number 1 for me, determine with certainty if they were on our side or not. I got the chance when I tried to bring them evidence. Maybe you and/or your police relatives could assist me somehow. I’ll send you the evidence to see for yourself. It comes in the form of photo’s, along with an explanation for each of them. Let me know, would you respond by email if you plan to respond? [email protected]…………Thanks and God Bless you,…..Mark Sauer.

    Reply
    • M

      MikeDec 3, 2023 at 9:48 am

      It’s ridiculous to think the police are covering this up. Covering up what? Murder? Could things have been handled better at the start? In hindsight, yes. There are 1000’s of missing persons cases every year that go unsolved.

      Reply
  • L

    LauraOct 27, 2020 at 12:15 am

    So ever since this story came out about Maura I been keeping up with her case. I do agree what Cassandra all said about how she doesn’t think that the Police is handling this case right. I wish I was a Cop to because i would definitely be out there looking for Maura. I have Family members that are Cops. We want to know why there’s so much miss information and evidences that you aren’t telling us. I mean at least tell the information and what you all know to Maura’s Family and Friends. Maura’s Dad is out there every weekend or so looking for his Daughter. I think the Police needs to talk more to that Bus Driver, her boyfriends, college friends. I believe Maura possibly may have been abducted and the Police are playing games with people’s lives. That’s not how your job works. Police are there to help, protect, and to save you. What if this girl was your own Daughter, Sister, Cousin or, Niece,. Bet you be out there 24/7 then. I hope and pray she’s ok. But my gut is always right. You should listen to a lot of people on here.

    Reply
  • L

    LauraOct 27, 2020 at 12:11 am

    So ever since this story came out about Maura I been keeping up with her case. I do agree what Cassandra all said about how she doesn’t think that the Police is handling this case right. I wish I was a Cop to because i would definitely be out there looking for Maura. I have Family members that are Cops. We want to know why there’s so much miss information and evidences that you are telling us. I mean at least tell the information and what you all know to Maura’s Family and Friends. Maura’s Dad is out there every weekend or so looking for his Daughter. I think the Police needs to talk more to that Bus Driver, her boyfriends, college friends. I believe Maura possibly may have been abducted and the Police are playing games with people’s lives. That’s not how your job works. Police are there to help, protect, and to save you. What if this girl was your own Daughter, Sister, Cousin or, Niece,. Bet you be out there 24/7 then. I hope and pray she’s ok. But my gut is always right. You should listen to a lot of people on here.

    Reply
  • E

    Edward TorresOct 9, 2020 at 4:48 pm

    Did anyone look at the ATM video the jacket she was wearing was not hers the family said they need to look at that video a thousand times if necessary and the police department needs to let the father know what they know. That’s bullshit how they play games with peoples lives it is disgusting period

    Reply
  • C

    CassandraJul 13, 2020 at 11:16 pm

    This case is definitely sketchy and I feel there are a lot of details being left out. Obviously she had a cell phone so did they try to see if it hit in other areas other than where the wreck was to see if there was anything? I also agree that the bus driver who clearly was the last one to see her should have been looked further into and also the voicemail her boyfriend got claiming it was her, did they ever try to find anything further on that? I guess I just have a lot of questions that seem unanswered that if I were a cop I would definitely look into. This girls poor father seems to be doing all the hard work and trying to find his baby girl when the cops I feel are not treating it seriously like she ran from the scene. I disagree with that as well because her sent was found on the road I believe about hundred ft out then stops cold. Someone abducted her and something bad happened!

    Reply
  • J

    John F.Apr 20, 2020 at 2:47 pm

    Hi, I read about this story on a scary stories Snapchat page. I looked into it a bit, and found out about a video from a guy named 112dirtbag on YouTube. What puzzled me is that no one seemed to have attempted to trace the video to a location through ip or their internet. Also, no partial facial was done on the man in the video. It seemed like this person crashed into her and took her out. Leaving the drinks in the car to through off police. But I’m not 100% sure. Just a speculation.

    Reply
  • D

    Debbie StuartApr 6, 2020 at 3:53 am

    Maybe a policeman hit her with their cruiser and got rid of the body. The lack of communication and cooperation from the police dept is curious.

    Reply
  • S

    Someone curiousApr 5, 2020 at 8:11 pm

    Did anyone ever search the bus drivers property. I mean I know he is dead but anyone?

    Reply
  • T

    Terri ManningApr 4, 2020 at 9:49 am

    Now that the truth about Maura ‘s boyfriend Bill Rausch and his apparent history of abuse of women has come to light, and the fact that he stopped calling her phone almost immediately after her reported disappearance, I would like LE to take a deep dive into this guy!

    Reply
  • C

    Carolyn RaynorApr 4, 2020 at 6:47 am

    It seems to me that the investigation should have been looked into weeks or even months before her disappearance. The way I see it is, why would she even bother making an excuse if she willingly disappeared? The death of a family member was an obvious lie. Think about it. Her older sister went to the same school as Maura, wouldn’t she have been absent from school too? HELLO!!! The seen was perfect & the case went silent way to soon…. inside job!

    Reply
  • I

    InbarMar 31, 2020 at 5:15 am

    Did anyone cheked inside the bus??

    Reply
  • G

    GeorgeMar 7, 2020 at 9:51 am

    The perpetrator is the bus driver… I am no invastigator but why was the bus driver’s statement is believed at face value.. he stayed in the vicinity, he knew the place very well.

    Reply
  • M

    MDMar 3, 2020 at 8:12 am

    the one who made the phone call should have been tracked and his apartment searched. He’s the missing piece

    Reply
  • K

    KamilFeb 25, 2020 at 5:23 am

    At the beginning I would like to apologize for my English because I live in Europe. I was always puzzled by the topic of the bus driver who saw her last in my opinion may know much more than we think

    Reply
  • E

    Ed Cutting, EdDOct 28, 2019 at 11:24 am

    Joey — no. The tracking dog had her scent, and lost it on the road. There were no footprints in the snow, and the first responders were thinking exactly this and looked.
    .
    Also answer this: how many students (particularly ones with alcohol problems) would leave the booze in plain sight?
    Anyone with presence of mind to lock the car would have dumped out her drink and put the box of wine in the trunk.
    .
    She was at West Point, they teach evasive driving there, and I’m wondering if the accident was staged. Multiple impacts is exactly what you want to do to survive an accident.
    .
    No, she left the scene in another vehicle.

    Reply
  • J

    joeyOct 10, 2019 at 4:39 am

    It’s pretty clear she had a problem with alcohol, she most likely crashed her car while under the influence, stumbled into the forest and died and for whatever reason her body was never found.

    Reply
  • R

    Rebecca DavisOct 1, 2019 at 11:20 pm

    Ed, I thought maybe the phone call was her boss telling her she was fired because they’d found out what she’d done.

    Reply
  • E

    Ed Cutting, Ed.D.Sep 24, 2019 at 5:07 pm

    I always thought she had family up in NH, that she was heading home.
    There was also something about a phone call she’d received the prior night that had greatly upset her.
    .
    I always thought Witness Relocation Program…

    Reply
  • M

    Mark HarringtonSep 23, 2019 at 12:14 pm

    Hi i have Allways wondered what happened to Maura. I live in Woodstock nh not far where her car was. It gives me the shivers when going by that tree with the ribbon on it.
    A lot of my friends are very into wonder what happened to. Is there something I could do
    I hear lots of stories from my friends
    My sister is into it to. She followes anything she can on case
    Mark

    Reply
  • M

    Mark SauerSep 20, 2019 at 11:25 am

    From your perspective it does appear as if the case remains unsolved. It looks a bit different from my perspective however. The reason that we have differing thoughts about this can be explained in 5 words. New Hampshire Law Enforcement Authorities. Am I trying to say they’re not doing their job properly? No, I’m saying that they’re covering up the crime. I’m saying that there taking an active role, but not in trying to solve the case, rather, they’re trying to block any effort to solve the case. Is this only opinion, is this based upon hearsay or is it a gut feeling? None of those. I know this first hand. I spoke to a detective from the cold case unit and a man representing the Department of Justice. They’re of the same mind, in other words, they’re all in and are working as a team, actively suppressing any effort to do their job for them. How much worse can it get; the citizens paying for and depending upon protection and help, but getting no help, no attempt to solve a disappearance, and they get a back stabbing traitor in lieu of the help that’s needed. I’d say the people aren’t getting their money’s worth, and a younger version of myself wouldn’t put up with it. Even at my age I would be straight up their crooked ass if my health was better., I get very angry when I think about how dirty these evil demons are. So, if the police would be willing to just get the hell out of my way, then the crime is solved. If they think I’m lying or not capable, get the hell out of my way and let’s see.

    Reply
    • M

      Mike HDec 4, 2023 at 8:45 am

      You solve this yet or are the police still getting in your way?

      Reply
  • O

    Oliver RuffSep 19, 2019 at 10:11 pm

    Bruce McKay did this. It is all a set up but no official will admit they had a terrorist wearing the badge except air force intelligence officer Brad whipple. Norman Bruce McKay did not work alone. As a former new Hampshire state lobbyist I can tell you the gov office was run by an intern, the ag office run by a self serving pol. The abuses of the local police were Epic and lawsuits have shown these abuses. Maura is one of several deaths, that are the result of a steroid riddled wackjob named McKay, a drunkard cop named brunelle, and a three time felon twice awol marine murderous fellow named Floyd. The tag teaming evil is public knowledge yet the mystery is endless because that’s what McKay intended. Maury was set up, and her failed rescue is because of this endless appeal to a concocted scenario. It’s bs from beginning to end, like a forged art work. This was McKay’s masterpiece of evil,and he’d be laughing so hard seeing yall fumble in the dark. See in the official story she’s evading arrest from dwi, almost makes you stop looking altogether. It’s a shame nobody in new Hampshire could call the bs.

    Reply
    • M

      MikeDec 3, 2023 at 9:56 am

      Sounds like good screenplay. In reality though it’s very far fetched. Just saying.

      Reply