James Renner's Blog, page 27
February 7, 2012
Does Maura's cousin know "true" story of disappearance?
Remember Barb and Patricia Curran? It was their high school pictures I discovered in an adult magazine outside Fred Murray's house in Weymouth. Barb (McDougall) and Patti (Davidson) are Maura's cousins and they spoke to Nancy Grace about the disappearance in 2006. They both still live in the Weymouth area and maintain contact with Helena Dwyer who runs the Maura Murray website and the Maura Murray Facebook page.
After I posted the report about the tip that links Maura to Toronto, a reader sent me an email which included, as an attachment, a report given to Lt. Scarinza of the NH State Police in 2009. The report was written by a CPA named James Leone. Leone knows computers. He understands how to track an IP address. He was contacted by the moderator of a forum devoted to finding what happened to Maura Murray. Someone had posted the supposed "true" story of what happened to Maura. Here's the post:
A frequent commenter who called themselves "Observer" responded to this post with:
The moderator wanted to know who "Observer" was. So she contacted Leone.
Using the IP tag that accompanied the "Observer" messages, Leone traced the poster to a specific server in the area of Taunton, Mass. They figured if "Observer" was posting in this Geocities forum, they were likely posting in other forums related to Maura's disappearance. A quick check of the Franconia, NH Topix forums found a long conversation about the mystery. Three people were posting on Topix from Taunton, Mass, too. But one commented much more than the other two. On Topix, this poster went by the handle "Citigirl."
From Leone's report:
Calls to Patti Davidson have not been returned.
It's worth noting the email address used by "Observer". It was objectiveobserver2009@torontomail.com
After I posted the report about the tip that links Maura to Toronto, a reader sent me an email which included, as an attachment, a report given to Lt. Scarinza of the NH State Police in 2009. The report was written by a CPA named James Leone. Leone knows computers. He understands how to track an IP address. He was contacted by the moderator of a forum devoted to finding what happened to Maura Murray. Someone had posted the supposed "true" story of what happened to Maura. Here's the post:
Maura Murray is NOT a Missing Person
Maura Murray has the right as every independent adult does to leave with her new boyfriend and start a new life. Maura is living a content and satisfying life in the Province of Quebec.
Maura's father Fred Murray never quite forgave her for being asked to leave West Point. It was his personal bragging point that he had two daughters at West Point. Maura's dismissal damaged Fred's ego and he never completely forgave her.
Maura's being asked to leave West Point and all the ensuing criticism by her father was the beginning of a certain line of thought for Maura, culminating in her leaving on Feb 9, 2004 to start a new life unencumbered by the constant criticism of her father. Maura's relationship with William Rausch was near its end. Ac- cording to Maura's sister Kathleen, they were having 'serious problems.' Maura had met someone new, who unlike William Rausch had no West Point connections and therefore was not a constant reminder to her of her failure at West Point.
On the night of February 5 2004 Maura took a break from her job at the security desk at a UMass dormitory to go and briefly get coffee and some food.
Sometime between 12 MN and 1 AM Maura driving her Saturn struck and critically injured the UMass student Petrit Vasi leav- ing him for dead.
Around 1 AM - 1:20 AM Feb 6 Maura had a complete emotional breakdown brought on by this hit and run accident. Maura's breakdown was witnessed by a student who reported this to Maura's supervisor, who then came and saw that Maura needed physical help to get back to her dormitory. The supervisor then physically helped Maura back to her dorm and recommended counseling.
Between 2 and 3 AM on the morning of Sunday Feb 8 Maura had a second motor vehicle accident wrecking her father's new car.
Fred Murray's new car was towed around 3 AM to his Hadley motel room. Maura arrived at Fred's motel at the same time as a passenger in the tow truck. Fred was not happy with Maura to put it mildly. What happened in this motel room we'll never know but I do know for a fact that there was some physical violence on the part of Fred Murray. Fred Murray has a history of domestic violence. The next day Maura left for good.
Maura needed to disguise the evidence of the Petrit Vasi hit and run by staging another accident for the purpose of covering up the damage to her car from the Vasi hit and run. She and her new boyfriend travelled in tandem to Route 112 in NH (He was already in Southern NH). The accident was staged, she left her Saturn, walked down the road to where her boyfriend was waiting for her in his car. She disappeared, her only wish is that she be left alone to live her life in peace. She is happy and contented and just wants to be left alone.???
A frequent commenter who called themselves "Observer" responded to this post with:
This is very interesting, it somehow has the ring of truth to it. This is common knowledge in certain circles of people who are close to the family.
The moderator wanted to know who "Observer" was. So she contacted Leone.
Using the IP tag that accompanied the "Observer" messages, Leone traced the poster to a specific server in the area of Taunton, Mass. They figured if "Observer" was posting in this Geocities forum, they were likely posting in other forums related to Maura's disappearance. A quick check of the Franconia, NH Topix forums found a long conversation about the mystery. Three people were posting on Topix from Taunton, Mass, too. But one commented much more than the other two. On Topix, this poster went by the handle "Citigirl."
From Leone's report:
I have been told that second hand the following: "Citigirl" is Patti Davidson (one of Maura Murray's cousins).
Calls to Patti Davidson have not been returned.
It's worth noting the email address used by "Observer". It was objectiveobserver2009@torontomail.com
Bizarre Theory of the Day: Maura Manages Curves in Toronto **UPDATED**
Admittedly, I don't know if there's much to this but I'm going to talk about it because it illustrates the strangeness of investigating a cold case. This is a little convoluted, so bear with me.
Years ago, a source close to the Murray family posted on another forum. This person said they were a registered nurse living in Nova Scotia and was some kind of distant relative of Maura. An astute reader pointed out to me a LinkedIn profile for a "Kate Dwyer" living in Nova Scotia. Helena Dwyer-Murray is the administrator of the Maura Murray Facebook page and website. The Kate Dwyer in Nova Scotia was an RN and listed Maura Murray's webpage under her "interests" on her LinkedIn profile.
And here's where it gets weird.
In Kate Dwyer's connections is a Maura Murray who lives in Toronto and manages a Curves. That piqued my interest for a couple reasons. 1. Maura allegedly had some connection to the Curves at Amherst. 2. Toronto is a place many runaways end up. It's been a well-known hiding place since Vietnam.
So, I called the Curves in Toronto. There are several. I asked for Maura. I was told to call a specific number. When I called that number, I again asked to speak to Maura. The woman on the other line asked what this was about. I said I'd like to talk to her about UMass. The phone was given to another woman. "Hello?" she said. "Maura?" I asked. "This is James Renner." The phone then went quiet. A moment later, the owner of Curves came on. She was curt, but polite. When I asked for Maura again, she said there was no Maura there. She said there was only a Maureen and I had the wrong number.
Not sure what to make of it. But it's the sort of thing that happens all the time.
**UPDATE**Just heard from Kate Dwyer. LinkedIn makes those connections itself, based on common interests (her listing the Maura Murray page likely did this). She was quite nice and had this to say:
Years ago, a source close to the Murray family posted on another forum. This person said they were a registered nurse living in Nova Scotia and was some kind of distant relative of Maura. An astute reader pointed out to me a LinkedIn profile for a "Kate Dwyer" living in Nova Scotia. Helena Dwyer-Murray is the administrator of the Maura Murray Facebook page and website. The Kate Dwyer in Nova Scotia was an RN and listed Maura Murray's webpage under her "interests" on her LinkedIn profile.
And here's where it gets weird.
In Kate Dwyer's connections is a Maura Murray who lives in Toronto and manages a Curves. That piqued my interest for a couple reasons. 1. Maura allegedly had some connection to the Curves at Amherst. 2. Toronto is a place many runaways end up. It's been a well-known hiding place since Vietnam.
So, I called the Curves in Toronto. There are several. I asked for Maura. I was told to call a specific number. When I called that number, I again asked to speak to Maura. The woman on the other line asked what this was about. I said I'd like to talk to her about UMass. The phone was given to another woman. "Hello?" she said. "Maura?" I asked. "This is James Renner." The phone then went quiet. A moment later, the owner of Curves came on. She was curt, but polite. When I asked for Maura again, she said there was no Maura there. She said there was only a Maureen and I had the wrong number.
Not sure what to make of it. But it's the sort of thing that happens all the time.
**UPDATE**Just heard from Kate Dwyer. LinkedIn makes those connections itself, based on common interests (her listing the Maura Murray page likely did this). She was quite nice and had this to say:
No worry if I thought it was one and the same Maura, I'd have driven to Toronto to check it out...sorry, Kate
Bizarre Theory of the Day: Maura Manages Curves in Toronto
Admittedly, I don't know if there's much to this but I'm going to talk about it because it illustrates the strangeness of investigating a cold case. This is a little convoluted, so bear with me.
Years ago, a source close to the Murray family posted on another forum. This person said they were a registered nurse living in Nova Scotia and was some kind of distant relative of Maura. An astute reader pointed out to me a LinkedIn profile for a "Kate Dwyer" living in Nova Scotia. Helena Dwyer-Murray is the administrator of the Maura Murray Facebook page and website. The Kate Dwyer in Nova Scotia was an RN and listed Maura Murray's webpage under her "interests" on her LinkedIn profile.
And here's where it gets weird.
In Kate Dwyer's connections is a Maura Murray who lives in Toronto and manages a Curves. That piqued my interest for a couple reasons. 1. Maura allegedly had some connection to the Curves at Amherst. 2. Toronto is a place many runaways end up. It's been a well-known hiding place since Vietnam.
So, I called the Curves in Toronto. There are several. I asked for Maura. I was told to call a specific number. When I called that number, I again asked to speak to Maura. The woman on the other line asked what this was about. I said I'd like to talk to her about UMass. The phone was given to another woman. "Hello?" she said. "Maura?" I asked. "This is James Renner." The phone then went quiet. A moment later, the owner of Curves came on. She was curt, but polite. When I asked for Maura again, she said there was no Maura there. She said there was only a Maureen and I had the wrong number.
Not sure what to make of it. But it's the sort of thing that happens all the time.
Years ago, a source close to the Murray family posted on another forum. This person said they were a registered nurse living in Nova Scotia and was some kind of distant relative of Maura. An astute reader pointed out to me a LinkedIn profile for a "Kate Dwyer" living in Nova Scotia. Helena Dwyer-Murray is the administrator of the Maura Murray Facebook page and website. The Kate Dwyer in Nova Scotia was an RN and listed Maura Murray's webpage under her "interests" on her LinkedIn profile.
And here's where it gets weird.
In Kate Dwyer's connections is a Maura Murray who lives in Toronto and manages a Curves. That piqued my interest for a couple reasons. 1. Maura allegedly had some connection to the Curves at Amherst. 2. Toronto is a place many runaways end up. It's been a well-known hiding place since Vietnam.
So, I called the Curves in Toronto. There are several. I asked for Maura. I was told to call a specific number. When I called that number, I again asked to speak to Maura. The woman on the other line asked what this was about. I said I'd like to talk to her about UMass. The phone was given to another woman. "Hello?" she said. "Maura?" I asked. "This is James Renner." The phone then went quiet. A moment later, the owner of Curves came on. She was curt, but polite. When I asked for Maura again, she said there was no Maura there. She said there was only a Maureen and I had the wrong number.
Not sure what to make of it. But it's the sort of thing that happens all the time.
February 5, 2012
Where can a Murray hide? How about Ireland?
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Faced with credit card fraud, a cheating boyfriend, getting kicked out of school, and a troubled home life, did Maura decide to start a new life far from her troubles? And if so, how has she managed to fly under the radar for 8 years?
Is it possible to drive to Canada and take a plane to Ireland, where there are Murrays on every street?
You need a passport to enter Ireland. But does Ireland have to report entry to the U.S.? That's still something I'm researching.
The reason I ask: a source close to Fred Murray claims he or a close family member planned a trip to Killarney, by way of Dublin. Not sure when the trip was to take place or how close it was to Maura's disappearance, but the family had some interest in Killarney as a destination.
Tell ya what. If I ever decide to disappear, this would be a nice place for a long repose.
February 3, 2012
Search for Maura Involved Multiple Cities & Investigators
In Lt. Landry's affidavit to the court in 2006, he lists all the detectives and agencies that have investigated Maura's disappearance. There are some surprises here:
- Haverhill PD- New Hampshire State Police- New Hampshire Fish & Game- Exeter Police- Oxford County Sheriff's Dept.- FBI- Grafton County Sheriff's Dept.- Vermont State Police- UMass PD- Amherst PD- Hadley PD- Rochester PD- Sullivan County Department of Corrections
- Haverhill PD- New Hampshire State Police- New Hampshire Fish & Game- Exeter Police- Oxford County Sheriff's Dept.- FBI- Grafton County Sheriff's Dept.- Vermont State Police- UMass PD- Amherst PD- Hadley PD- Rochester PD- Sullivan County Department of Corrections
February 2, 2012
Records Show Scope of Police Investigation
Two bundles of public records arrived today, documents related to Fred Murray's civil court case against the New Hampshire State Police.
Murray petitioned the court to gain access to the complete police files of his daughter's disappearance. His argument was that the police were not working on locating Maura. In the end, he was only granted 50 pages worth of material (more on that soon). But, in denying his request, the NH State Police had to explain a bit about their investigation to date for the first time.
According to Lt. Landry, at the time of the court proceedings in early 2006, the file on Maura Murray consisted of 2,938 pages of info as well as evidence, tapes, and newspaper clippings. Also included in the files:
- Fred Murray's cell phone records- phone records of family members and friends- personnel records- military records- Grand Jury subpoenas- search warrants- credit card info- criminal record checks- witness interviews (including 19 written statements and 3 transcribed interviews)- 2-page statement of Fred Murray- lab reports- unknown photographs- copies of Websleuths forum conversations- one-party intercept memoranda (possible wire taps)
And, most interestingly, 4 polygraph examinations.
Also in the report is an affidavit from assistant AG Jeff Strelzin, who tells the court that he believes there is a 75% chance that criminal charges will be filed in this case.
Murray petitioned the court to gain access to the complete police files of his daughter's disappearance. His argument was that the police were not working on locating Maura. In the end, he was only granted 50 pages worth of material (more on that soon). But, in denying his request, the NH State Police had to explain a bit about their investigation to date for the first time.
According to Lt. Landry, at the time of the court proceedings in early 2006, the file on Maura Murray consisted of 2,938 pages of info as well as evidence, tapes, and newspaper clippings. Also included in the files:
- Fred Murray's cell phone records- phone records of family members and friends- personnel records- military records- Grand Jury subpoenas- search warrants- credit card info- criminal record checks- witness interviews (including 19 written statements and 3 transcribed interviews)- 2-page statement of Fred Murray- lab reports- unknown photographs- copies of Websleuths forum conversations- one-party intercept memoranda (possible wire taps)
And, most interestingly, 4 polygraph examinations.
Also in the report is an affidavit from assistant AG Jeff Strelzin, who tells the court that he believes there is a 75% chance that criminal charges will be filed in this case.
Code of Silence at West Point.
A few weeks ago, a reader passed along to me a list of cadets who went to West Point with Maura and her sister, Julie. For the last few days, I've sent emails to these people, some who knew Maura well. Dozens of emails. Not a single person has responded. Apparently, protection of an institution trumps sharing information that could be helpful to understanding what led Maura Murray to that road in New Hampshire, in 2004.The United States Military Academy is no stranger to obfuscation and secrecy, though. They've often protected their own. And even today, female cadets often find themselves in perilous situations. Read more here.
January 30, 2012
Open Question
What happened between 2000
and 2004?
This is the face of a woman who has gone through some kind of hell.
and 2004?
This is the face of a woman who has gone through some kind of hell.
January 29, 2012
UMass Code of Student Conduct Might Have Been the End of Maura's Nursing Career
American universities have found a way to skirt the court system and basically double-charge students when they commit a crime. Not only will they face fines and possible jail, but, even if the charges are dismissed in a court of law, they might still be kicked out of school. Yeah. Because denying the kid a college degree will really help them from committing more crimes.
Anyway, the code of conduct at UMass is just an absurd example of this.
Here's an except (provided by an astute reader):
I.Preface E.Students may be accountable to both civil authorities and to the University for acts which constitute violationsLooks like Maura's dream to be a nurse wasn't going to happen. If she did end up committing suicide, UMass should own up to some culpability.
of law and of the CSC. Disciplinary action at the University will normally proceed during the pendency of criminal
proceedings and will not be subject to challenge on the ground that criminal charges involving the same incident have
been dismissed or reduced. When a student has been charged by a civil authority for a violation of law, the University
will neither request nor agree to special consideration for the student solely because of his or her status as a student. II.REGULATIONS FOR STUDENT CONDUCT AND SCHOLARSHIP 2.Representing one's self as another person with or without that person's permission, or representing one's self improperly,
and not by error, as any other member of the community. 6.Unauthorized accessing of the records of any individual, whether such access is obtained through paper records, computer files
or systems, where such information is protected by the University regulations concerning privacy and confidentiality.
Everyone deserves a second chance.
January 28, 2012
A Note for Maura, If You're Out There
I posted this before, but I guess I should repeat it in light of these new developments.
If Maura is out there, somewhere, living a new life, I certainly don't want to blow her cover. It's her right as an adult to disappear.
If she can contact me and can offer some proof of her identity, I'll happily stop searching. I'm sure others would like to know she's alive so that they can stop searching, too. That doesn't mean she has to reveal her location.
But right now, the possibility still exists that she was murdered, or that she was the victim of an accident of some kind that led to her death. This is still very much a confounding mystery. So I'll keep digging until we know otherwise.
Mysteries frustrate me.
If Maura is out there, somewhere, living a new life, I certainly don't want to blow her cover. It's her right as an adult to disappear.
If she can contact me and can offer some proof of her identity, I'll happily stop searching. I'm sure others would like to know she's alive so that they can stop searching, too. That doesn't mean she has to reveal her location.
But right now, the possibility still exists that she was murdered, or that she was the victim of an accident of some kind that led to her death. This is still very much a confounding mystery. So I'll keep digging until we know otherwise.
Mysteries frustrate me.
