Maura was the loveliest of girls, she really was. I replayed the VM a million times on my phone and in my mind like I did with everything else that reminded me of Maura. Maura Murray crashed into a ditch and was never seen again JakubD/Shutterstock Our search continued well beyond those intersections. As someone mentioned, there was a section or two where the river and road were side by side but even there we did not see footprints in the snow or a break/gap in the snow and ice on the river. Theater For the victim, Kate Pattison, the indictment brings an end to some of the uncertainty and anxiety thats hovered over her life for the past eight years. In this instance, there is an actual person who drove me to the OKC airport. Music There is no third phone. Yes. Pattison let out a noise, and Rausch ducked behind a desk. Contact Us Bill was Maura's boyfriend when she went missing in February 2004 and has been sharing his recollections of Maura, her disappearance, and the subsequent search. City Lights: Your weekly guide to artsy goings-on, hitting your inbox Thursdays and Sundays. Not only was it a place with fond childhood memories it was a place that remained a key part of her life. In school, Murray made her mark as an honor student and a track athlete. I want to focus on Maura tho and avoid the drama. The conditions you describe were not present in the area near the accident scene. I do not recall combining a trip/stay at UMass with a trip to NH. In the days following Mauras disappearance everyone who the police asked to speak with talked with them and shared what they knew. One correction, Kate was a Senior and Maura was a Junior. Mumble Sauce, About Us But why was he so manic? I might be way off here but I'm trying to read a lot and figure out my theory :). I realize that Maura had morphed into a fictional character that did not accurately reflect who she was as a person. I consider all of those individuals to be extremely honorable and respectful people who knew and loved Maura dearly. Or Im a liar and Ive convinced my parents, the Murrays, the McDonalds and Mauras friends there wasnt a note when there was in fact one or convinced them to lie and join me in the conspiracy. Bill was in a manic, out of control state, on Feb 9th 2004, prior to Maura being considered missing by her family. The plaintiff is his ex-girlfriend, who claims years of abuse. I felt like she was revealing more of herself to me every subsequent trip and in my opinion NH was a home away from home for her. I remember at least one officer going into the room with us, altho both may have. The officer continued, In plain sight behind the drivers seat of the vehicle I could see a box of Franzia wine. And fun. Did Maura find out something about him he needed to urgently set straight or take care of (i.e. My hope is to speak candidly about who Maura was as a person vs this character shes been made into by people on the internet. Openings Maura Murrays mugshot, which was taken after she was arrested for credit card fraud. By 7:42 p.m., authorities had received another phone call about the accident, this time from a bus driver named Butch Atwood. This is a good example, bc I remember being at the house in Hanson and her going through old photos and seeing one similar (maybe the same one?) There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. This page is Rausch's dedication to her memory. I did discuss the email with LE while answering their questions about the topic of the email. Then, she says, he grabbed her shoulders, turned her around, and forced her head down into the conference table. Earlier this month, New Hampshire state troopers and FBI agents searched a home near the spot Murray was last seen but found no evidence of human remains, the Boston Globe reported. We went to NH on extended trips several times. I do think the sequence of phone calls are very suspicious. I have no idea. For years I continued to believe it was her. I do know they listened to it bc I remember standing/sitting beside one or both members of the NHSP involved in the search and playing them the VM several times. On why so many calls to Kate on Sunday morning: I was worried about Maura after she called me crying having just wrecked Freds Toyota. Beer When we would stop one day and return the next we could see where we searched/walked the day(s) before. Give the man something for goodness sake. While Murrays phone records would indeed indicate that she was considering renting a room in Bartlett, the MapQuest directions in the car led police to believe that she was actually headed to Burlington instead. Absolutely asinine to not look at BR and why MM is missing! From VT to ME and Canada down to MA. Im not a footprints expert but I know the snow was untouched almost the entire way east on the sides of the road and the snow was deep. Maura Murray Update -- Bill Rausch's Alibi Prosecutors Podcast 11.8K subscribers Subscribe 211 5.2K views 2 years ago Was Bill Rausch in Oklahoma on February 9, 2004? If you think that it's important to have high quality local reporting we hope you'll support our work with a monthly contribution. A few months prior, someone shoved her down the long Metro escalator on her way to work. General facts and characteristics about Maura. The victim reported the alleged attack to police after her assailants name appeared in unfounded theories in an unrelated cold case. Read about the disappearance of UMass student Maura Murray. It's extremely creepy. So , after the wreck, could she have got a ride to a hotel and paid in cash? Yes, I believed it was Maura. Security footage of Maura Murray withdrawing cash on the day that she went missing. She was extremely confident of her abilities while not being aggressive. While I do not believe someone other than Maura drove the Saturn to NH, I admit that nearly anything is possible. That person is happy to share that fact, as my parents are happy to share that they picked me up from CT in their car, that we stayed at Wells River not a holiday inn, etc. Maura was loved by everyone who knew her and her love for us was as lovely as you might imagine. Prob not high and yet it happened to me. Im familiar with the type of conditions you describe from growing up with winters in Ohio and my time at West Point. I do not remember my connection so its possible, perhaps likely, it was DFW. NHSP refused. The NHSP informed us they tracked the call back to the Red Cross. Apologies if this isnt relevant, but every time I see FBI and Mauras name in the same sentence I think back to right after the accident and our efforts to get the FBI involved being actively rejected and its still disappointing to this day. There is the possibility that Murray paid cash because she was unable to use credit cards (perhaps past due). His and Maura's cell phone records are telling. first missing child to be put on a milk carton. Its that simple. If its helpful the way we were organized was generally at least one person at the police station, and teams of folks going out on specific routes to search, knock doors, hang posters, etc. I dont think I had signal at the motel, altho Im not 100%./I also do not recall a specific place we went to make calls. While its possible she was going to meet someone, theres no evidence to suggest she was. She also emailed her boyfriend, Bill Rausch, a U.S. Army lieutenant in Oklahoma: I love you more stud. In hindsight, given shortcomings in their investigation, I regret not trusting but verifying what they said. Yes, people have made personal decisions to speak with some bloggers and not others. The answer and his reason for withholding it for all these years is probably because it doesn't make him look good. On accessing the phone records and voicemail: My mother was the account holder which is why she called Sprint for access to VMs. My parents picked me up at the airport after driving there from Ohio and the three of us drove north to Haverhill, NH to see Fred/LE and check into the hotel. I already wanted the plane to fly faster than it ever had before and this made that feeling even stronger. Every theory has holes in it and a big missing puzzle piece billy should be at the top of the list for the most invested on solving this case. I want to say she had a printer in her room, although I cannot say for certain she did and do not specifically remember seeing one in her room. There are Reddit threads, podcasts, and entire blogs dedicated to Murrays caseone of which is run by author andreporterJames Renner. Dr. A review of his phone records revealed a 3 minute call to Maura's cell phone the Saturday after the disappearance, when he was in New Hampshire as part of the search. I talk about this on Erinns podcast btw. Into VT (it was v close) and over to ME. Always. Julie talked a little about this with Erinn in a FB Live Q&A they conducted Monday. Thats how we got up to Canada and down to mass. Maybe he thought she ran away from him, and is still bitter and doesn't care what became of her. . The disappearance of Maura Murray is perhaps the most highly speculated case of the 21st century. I received the VM while going through airport security at the Roy Rogers airport in OKC, the morning of Feb 11.. She was reportedly driving through Haverhill, New Hampshire, when she crashed her car and got stuck in a ditch. Two of those people, who were Pattisons coworkers at the time, describe Rauschs demeanor toward women in the officeand especially toward Pattisonas degrading and condescending. The indictment in D.C. has no connection to Murrays disappearance. Something I havent enjoyed being on the receiving end of. We returned to ask NHSP to invite the FBI into the investigation given the tip coming from VT, they refused. Someone broke her fall, and she says she looked up and saw Rausch turning the corner at the top. I had a good job, close friends and a loving girlfriend; Maura Murray. Almost 20 years later, Murray's case has turned cold, and her disappearance continues to be a mystery. In Iraq, my Commander made the decision to approve my leave in a matter of seconds. He wasnt married. Local Dining Guide, City Lights After the afternoon of February 9th, he does not call Maura's dorm room again, only her cell phone. Some have speculated that she started a new life for herself perhaps even in Canada to escape her legal issues and the drama that was unfolding in her personal life. He calls all her UMass acquaintances, their dorm rooms and their cell phones. Rob McDonald and his wife Christine knew me and knew Maura. Why would they call it a note and not an email? Especially his changing routine. In fact, we were going through flyers so quickly, a printing press co. in OH cranked out an additional 5k and overnighted them to us in NH the local office store in NH couldnt keep pace with flyer production. However, Rausch was in Oklahoma at the time of the disappearance. But she didnt reserve a room. We walked most of the ~20 mi between the accident site and Lincoln. Im sure they have their reasons (some good some not so good maybe), but its regrettable they havent released more. 100%. Obviously, reality is and was somewhere in between for Maura like it is for most folks. Again, totally possible. Hockey her fun personality and her competitive spirit. I was fortunate to get into West Point and even more fortunate to have met Maura there. Esp given all the shoes Fred wore out over the years looking for Maura. Assuming that Murray did not kill herself and did not succumb to the elements while in hiding, where would she have gone? But these have all led to dead ends. That is an excellent insight into a narcissist. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I took the police at their word. I bought my 1999 Saab 9-3 in 2002, not far from UMASS. And ever since Maura Murrays disappearance in 2004, only alleged sightings, dead ends, and speculative theories have emerged. She was up there as an infant. Bill was in a manic, out of control state, on Feb 9th 2004, prior to Maura being considered missing by her family. Same goes for assuming she was wearing her dark winter coat. From what Ive read, many people are puzzled by the short time frame she disappeared in youre def not alone. Folks should really check out the Discovery ID episode. Much like Maura Murrays mugshot, this image has been widely described as unsettling. Post on some sites not others. The car had several issues and wasnt reliable. Any bank account associated with her has remained dormant. Washington, a horrible storm, and a literal race back to the bottom (no comment on who won). On February 10th, 2004 my world turned upside down when I received a call from Maura's father, Fred. Pattison became aware of Rauschs connection to the disappearance of 21-year-old Maura Murray through a co-worker soon after the alleged attack in D.C. Rausch was Murrays boyfriend at the time she went missing. NH was a special place for her since she was a child going camping and hiking there with her family. Her time there appeared normal for the most part, but there were some problems. Also, he and his wife moved to Florida shortly after the disappearance. re tomboy, she def was and elegant at the same time. My mother and I have never believed that Maura wasnt at the accident scene bc there is no evidence to support that. I called Maura and her best friend to see if she was okay. Heck, his effort searching for Maura is unmatched as far as I know relative to other missing persons cases. She wore them a few times Im aware of, likely more. It was the last recorded instance that she ever used her phone. By that time, another coworker had walked into the office and was searching for Pattison, calling out her name. She was headed to Bartlett. I was silent for a long time and just now am joining the convo. He then lent Murray his car so she could drive back to her dorm for a party that night. Personal feelings aside, some of the items that Murray had packed in her car such as birth control pills, tooth whitener, and college textbooks have led many to believe that she was not intending to die that day. Gear Prudence In short, we searched everywhere we knew or could think to search. Events, Football If she perished in the woods I would say her life, liberty and pursuit of happiness has been taken from her. If nothing else, he's provided nothing in the way of help to locate her or increase awareness regarding her disappearance (strage). ", "Washington City Paper has made me feel like I am part of the D.C. His and Maura's cell phone records are telling. It was our understanding at the time that a formal offer was made by the FBI and refused by local law enforcement. While Im certain I left from OKC (something that is confirmed by the person who drove me) and arrived in CT (something my parents can confirm as they picked me up), maybe folks here can determine where the lay over was? We learned of the three men at the party after Maura disappeared. She would smile and laugh (or giggle) at the perfect moments in time. Given that no one spoke on the VM it was impossible to say it sounded like her or anyone else. Her father Fred firmly believes that she was taken by a local dirtbag. However, many residents of Haverhill have scoffed at the idea that it was a local person who did it and suggest that Murray was simply at the wrong place at the wrong time and that a random kidnapper just happened to be on that road on that day. However, radiocarbon dating in November revealed that the remains were far older than Murray. Advertise with Us, Sponsored Posts from our Partners My heart is heavy upon learning that these remains do not belong to my little sister, Murrays sister Julie said in a statement. The vehicle was locked and the airbags had been deployed. If he is innocent - Prove It! She def shouldnt have been driving the Saturn but am I surprised she did? I believe there were boxes and/or other bags as well. Hacking was not as prevalent as it is today (assuming the was someone in her life that could hack into financial institutions). She was one of a kind. And after Murray vanished in Haverhill that evening, she was never seen again. The stretch of 112 was more isolated which is why it stuck out. journalism. It was ~6/8mi in length from what I remember. One of the earliest police theories about this befuddling missing-person case was that Maura Murray had either planned to kill herself or had been consumed by suicidal thoughts after her final car accident. He told me Maura's car was found on the side of the road in New Hampshire and Maura was nowhere to be found. But on her way back in the wee hours of the next morning, she crashed her fathers car into a guardrail. bc after graduating I would be moving somewhere outside the NY tri-state area. Her father Fred firmly believes that she was "taken by a local dirtbag." I believe Im the only one on reddit that was in her dorm room and I do not know if Maura packed it up or if she never unpacked it. I never spoke with the alleged caller from the Red Cross. Most recently, in September 2021, New Hampshire State Police (NHSP) announced that human bone fragments had been found just 25 miles away from North Haverhill in the Loon Mountain area. Bill's lawyer asked for the sex tape to be viewed in court? I read an old letter the other day where she starts it off, I think Im back in my phish phase!, She loved twizzlers and fire balls! The first officer on the scene found a damaged car but no driver. Others believe it wasnt unpacked as she had just moved into the room ~1 week earlier. Only years later have both topics been manipulated into conspiracy theories (e.g. (commenting on a picture posted) I remember how much everyone adored her from the moment they met her for the first time. Pattison pushed him away, but Rausch pushed her down to the table again, she says. I remember her looking very distraught and very pale, Gordillo says. There may be additional reasons others have uncovered over the years Im unfamiliar with. I have posted stats before on missing people being an ex, BF or loved one etc. Baseball From what I remember each room had a different theme, e.g. Could she have been drinking and driving? The thing about our search (most searches Im guessing) is that we covered areas closest to the accident scene more frequently than further away. Page Three Its still unclear whether that person was actually Murray. Access to Mauras VM was gained after and bc she disappeared. I will attempt to keep updating this. Kate was Mauras closest friend at UMass. Everything we did together was special from going on canoe trips, to hiking Mt. The female Metropolitan Police Department officers first response back then, according to Pattison, was Why didnt you report this last night?, It took a long time for me to call myself a victim or to associate with the word victim, and going to the police again symbolized that, she tells City Paper. Additionally, its a great work out, she loved being outside and for me the views from those mountains were beyond beautiful. Eventually, a state trooper showed up, followed by firefighters and an emergency medical service. That said, special thanks to you and to Erinn for submitting those requests. Def miss playing one on one ball with her. re FBI, NHSP also refused to ask them for help after receiving a tip Maura was seen at a gas station off an exit north on I-91 in VT. My father and I drove there to investigate and the woman who called in the tip had left work and we were unable to interview her at this point we had already met several neighbors near the accident scene who had not spoken with police so we were conducting our own interviews and then sharing them with LE.