Where is MAURA MURRAY

BBart, expect your family is a bit more than Happy just now, wonderful news.

Have been thinking about the message Billy got on his cellphone that he and others firmly believe was Maura. The message was received on his cellphone when the phone itself was off, at around 11 AM on the morning of Wednesday, Feb 11, 2004. As described by Billy’s mother SharonR on the MMM site, the “message” consisted of a short time of labored breathing (as if the person had exerted a bit), a couple of “wet-sounding” sniffs as if the person maybe had a cold or was crying, and then a very soft muffled sob.

I’ve attempted to apply some logic to the fact of this call ….

I assume the call was from Maura as that is the most likely explanation re who called Billy. First, the Red Cross did not have his cellphone number, because it was his mother SharonR who was contacting the Red Cross to see about getting their assistance to gain him some leave to come and help search for Maura. Second, the call was made to Billy’s cellphone USING a pre-paid calling card, and the Red Cross would not need to do that. Third, it is known that Maura was given several pre-paid calling cards by the Rausch family for Christmas, in order to help her and Billy be able to stay in touch. Fourth, those calling cards apparently disappeared along with Maura (and her wallet and cellphone, etc.). Lastly, both Billy and his mother were convinced it sounded like Maura.

The fact of this call is a strong suggestion/indication that Maura was alive two days after she disappeared. And I think it is also a strong suggestion/indication that Maura was NOT in the hands of an abductor at that point.

Here’s my reasoning. People have wondered why, if she had access to a phone, Maura would have called Billy rather than dial 911 for help or even call her father who was certainly much closer distance-wise than Billy if she was in trouble and needed help. Logically, if she was in trouble, Maura WOULD HAVE called 911. It would make no sense whatsoever that if she had been abducted, she would not call 911. Maura was no dummy, she would fully understand the wisdom of calling authorities rather than her boyfriend states away.

Also, the fact that she did call using a calling card rather than her cellphone is very suggestive that she was basically safe and free. If she had been abducted, belongings such as her cellphone and calling cards would have been taken from her relatively soon after she was snatched. On the other hand, if she left on her own volition from the vicinity of the Saturn on Rt. 112, and then realized that she didn’t have her cellphone charger with her (it was found with her other belongings in the Saturn), it would make perfect sense for her to use one of the pre-paid calling cards to make a phone call to Billy and conserve the battery on the cellphone. In addition, if her intent was to not have her whereabouts known (at that point in time at least), then again using a pre-paid calling card would have been a smart move for her, because use of the cellphone would provide information that could trace to her vicinity at least at the time she made the call.

Whatever her circumstances when she made that call, she was able to call Billy’s number from memory and was also able to follow the directions on the pre-paid card, and those factors strongly suggest she was not suffering from any severe trauma or injury.

A thought that was bounced around a little bit on the MMM forum was that perhaps an abductor made the call to Billy and allowed Maura to whimper a bit … rather sadistic stuff, mentally torturing her boyfriend. But I think the possibility of this is extremely, extremely remote. That’s a little bit too much like something invented for a book. It’s not impossible, but very unlikely.

Thoughts on this?

BeagleBart wrote:

<quoted text>
feel the orange?
feed the orange?
peel the orange?
feed the orange bears?
beer the orange fairs?
Methheads Unite!!!!

Dude, what happened here? You were straight gettin with some theories and then BAM.. You lost it, are you jacked up or what?

Advocator wrote:

I’ve attempted to apply some logic to the fact of this call …

It is well thought out, reasonable and fits the known facts. It fulfills all the requirements to be an excellent working theory.

But, it doesn't have Maura a victim or dead. It also doesn't allow for the locals to be implicated in Maura's abduction or death, therefore it will be rejected almost out of hand by most of the MMM FIT team members.

Harvey

Thank you all so much for your kind words about Randy. I was very touched. The hostages were a true inspiration to me. I thank Rep. Jim McGovern and his really wonderful staffer, Cindy, who are just a few of the unsung heroes of this seemingly endless ordeal. And I thank the son of my sister's best friend, Col. James Patterson, JIATF, for his steady hand and good judgment. I hope their diligence and faith will inspire others to persevere in their quest for justice and freedom. It is too bittersweet that this good news could follow the very bad news out of Randolph, Vermont.

Driving time from Melville to the intersection of Mattoon and Triangle is no more than 10 minutes and can be done in 8 minutes, even with the longest possible wait at the traffic light in both directions. That's a far cry from the 20 minute window previously used to demonstrate that the Saturn could not have struck Vasi. I briefly talked to an Amherst police officer tonight about the possible connection between Vasi and Maura's disappearance and he said that NHSP had the case and he had to go now goodbye.

There is a Hampden Gallery within the SW complex. Perhaps this is the mystery gallery. Walking time from Melville to Kennedy is apx one minute. Parking one's vehicle virtually right outside the dorms is common after 5 or 6 PM. The Saturn could easily have been parked less than a one minute walk from Maura's security desk, which I saw tonight.

Thank you, Paris, for the news about Petrit Vasi's clothes. He has been through a lot.

Harvey the Puka wrote:

<quoted text>
It is well thought out, reasonable and fits the known facts. It fulfills all the requirements to be an excellent working theory.
But, it doesn't have Maura a victim or dead. It also doesn't allow for the locals to be implicated in Maura's abduction or death, therefore it will be rejected almost out of hand by most of the MMM FIT team members.
Harvey

Well, what are the elements of the case that cause the family and others to believe she must be dead? The battered front end condition of the Saturn is one such element. The fact that Maura has not been heard from since Feb 9, 2004 in any way, shape or form [EXCEPT THE PHONE CALL TO BILLY'S CELLPHONE] is the other element and the most significant one. It's not unreasonable to suppose she likely may be dead due to the combination of both these elements -- if I were her family and had no reason to think she would want to disappear on us, I'm sure I'd think she must have been abducted and murdered too.

As a participant in the MMM forum and now here, I can't rule out that this is what might have happened, and I can well understand why the family and others believe it must be what happened. But the fact of that call to Billy's cellphone speaks loudly to me.

And just today in the news, there is word that the missing Rice University student -- last name Wilson, I think -- missing since mid-December 2007, may have changed his identity and disappeared on his own choice into the wilds of San Francisco. At least, his vehicle has surfaced there with paperwork about how to change one's identity and so forth in it.

It happens. Unlikely as it often may be, it happens. It may have happened with Maura.

BeagleBart wrote:

There is a Hampden Gallery within the SW complex. Perhaps this is the mystery gallery.

Why not call up all the possible galleries on or near the campus, and ask if she ever worked there?

.

With regard to whether or not further discussion about the Mystery of Maura's Missing is in any way helpful, I think it is. It does help keep her case in the minds of others. But also, there have been new ideas and theories proposed here, and while some appear (at least to me) to be pretty obscure and far-fetched, others fit the known facts closely enough to be worth kicking around. I would assume that family members and friends who read here (whether or not they post) may pass on to the PI or other authorities any theories that strike them as being worth further investigation, and we never know when someone may come up with just one little nugget of an idea that -- if followed up on -- might lead to a breakthrough.

That's why "Think Tanks" were invented.

Incidentally, with reference to organizing information into categories (fact, assumption, etc.). Some months ago, I set up a table for my own use to help me keep information straight and in chrono order (time-table) as best possible. Am sure it needs some updating, but it may be possible for me to put it up on my website and give a link so it can be viewed. I could then update it with info that anyone believes should be added. Will look into this over the next few days.

.

FireCat wrote:

<quoted text>
WeWii, try to let it go. The rest of us have, Sophie included. Let's not backtrack through muck already waded through and hosed off if it can be avoided, please.

Read from like post 1200 to present. After reading the apologies and acceptance posts about 15 pages ago, I decided I would be apologising as well. Should have read all the way to the end before posting. Sorry all. Seems like there have been some great discussions since though..

Advocator wrote:

BBart, expect your family is a bit more than Happy just now, wonderful news.
Have been thinking about the message Billy got on his cellphone that he and others firmly believe was Maura. The message was received on his cellphone when the phone itself was off, at around 11 AM on the morning of Wednesday, Feb 11, 2004. As described by Billy’s mother SharonR on the MMM site, the “message” consisted of a short time of labored breathing (as if the person had exerted a bit), a couple of “wet-sounding” sniffs as if the person maybe had a cold or was crying, and then a very soft muffled sob.
I’ve attempted to apply some logic to the fact of this call ….

That is a great explaination of the lack of severe head trauma. However, not to stir the pot. Just an old thought, would she have called 911 if she was having a problem with or running from a local Police Officer? Just a curiousity. I pray your last paragraph is unlikely. I agree, that is sounds more like a movie setting.

Another thing, when someone wants something so bad. Sometimes they can convince themselfs of things that are false. My question is; Is her boyfriend and his mother 100% certin that is was her on the voicemail? If so, that would be awesome and hopefully she is alive and well. Maybe just got scared or wanted to recreate herself.

And all this talk of AAA. It was stated(if I remeber right) that only the policy holder/member can get records of services performed for them by AAA. Even if it was her card or membership. Since her father legally owned the car, could'nt he get all pertaining records? I mean if someone towed my car. I better be privy to all the records concerning my vehicle for possible legal recourse.

BeagleBart wrote:

Thank you all so much for your kind words about Randy. I was very touched. The hostages were a true inspiration to me. I thank Rep. Jim McGovern and his really wonderful staffer, Cindy, who are just a few of the unsung heroes of this seemingly endless ordeal. And I thank the son of my sister's best friend, Col. James Patterson, JIATF, for his steady hand and good judgment. I hope their diligence and faith will inspire others to persevere in their quest for justice and freedom. It is too bittersweet that this good news could follow the very bad news out of Randolph, Vermont.
Driving time from Melville to the intersection of Mattoon and Triangle is no more than 10 minutes and can be done in 8 minutes, even with the longest possible wait at the traffic light in both directions. That's a far cry from the 20 minute window previously used to demonstrate that the Saturn could not have struck Vasi. I briefly talked to an Amherst police officer tonight about the possible connection between Vasi and Maura's disappearance and he said that NHSP had the case and he had to go now goodbye.
There is a Hampden Gallery within the SW complex. Perhaps this is the mystery gallery. Walking time from Melville to Kennedy is apx one minute. Parking one's vehicle virtually right outside the dorms is common after 5 or 6 PM. The Saturn could easily have been parked less than a one minute walk from Maura's security desk, which I saw tonight.
Thank you, Paris, for the news about Petrit Vasi's clothes. He has been through a lot.

Happy for your family and Hope all goes well with your vandals. Keep your head up...

Its a shame, I just read what happened to that 12 yr old VT girl(I think her name was Bennet). They ought to string her uncle and step dad up by their toenails and take turns shooting them in the nuts with a red rider bb gun..

Harvey the Puka wrote:

<quoted text>
It is well thought out, reasonable and fits the known facts. It fulfills all the requirements to be an excellent working theory.
But, it doesn't have Maura a victim or dead. It also doesn't allow for the locals to be implicated in Maura's abduction or death, therefore it will be rejected almost out of hand by most of the MMM FIT team members.
Harvey

Thanks, but everybody's over it Harvey. It will be rejected by the people who reject it. Period. End of story. Moving forward..........

For me, it made me think. Long and hard. Some good stuff there, Advocate.

WeWii wrote:

<quoted text>
Read from like post 1200 to present. After reading the apologies and acceptance posts about 15 pages ago, I decided I would be apologising as well. Should have read all the way to the end before posting. Sorry all. Seems like there have been some great discussions since though..

S'cool. We all get behind on reading and post as we go sometimes. I did it recently myself.:)

regarding the call on Wednesday morning to Billy's cell phone. It is important to keep in mind that Billy's mother, Sharon, fairly recently stated that Billy did in fact make a call from his cell phone to the Red Cross, so in fact they did have his cell number.
But someone calling from the Red Cross likely would have left a message or called back, and most assuredly someone would have confirmed this with the Red Cross.
Anyone knowing Billy was flying that morning could have made the call assuming his phone would have been shut off in flight...if they neglected to factor in the time change, they were one hour too early, but caught the shutoff during the brief security check.
Another interesting call is the message recieved on Mauras phone from a friend the day before Maura went missing, and LE subsequently
stating publicly that they had information that Maura was planning on being away longer than a week. But why would they not investigate one of Mauras last cell phone calls to Salamones? LE had a copy of Mauras hard drive, why take the computer back from Kathleen after so long? What was found, if anything, from the CW sighting search that prompted the change to a criminal case? Odd that the ordinarily tight lipped LE would announce in MSM about a future search....coinciding with the Cirlce of Hope ceremony.

Hello all,

Advocator´s theory is indeed a very strong one and most believable. It may well explain what happened and, if so, would also fit in the possible sighting of Maura in a Barton,VT, church on Fathers Day in June 2005.

BeagleBart´s new facts regarding the time required driving from the Melville/Kennedy dorms on the UMass Amherst campus to "downtown" Amherst are also illuminating and may well require some revised thinking here.
Thanks, Beagle, for your renewed leg-work!

Provided that Maura´s (or rather Fred´s) Saturn was indeed in some way involved in the Vasi hit-and-run incident in Amherst, it makes sense that the car somehow had to be disposed of.
Thus: Maura´s sudden flight from Amherst.

Harvey (welcome on board!) in a recent post asked why there were doubts voiced as for why it might not actually have been Maura seen in/by the Saturn in Swiftwater,NH, by the school bus driver.

The school bus driver has been changing his witness statements substantially over the time in a wavering way.
He has also stated that the young lady seen by him in/by the Saturn didn´t look like Maura in her pictures, and that her hair was down, not pinned up, as Maura almost always wears her hair.

This is why it really cannot be taken for granted that it was actually Maura that the school bus driver spoke with. Likely, perhaps, but far from certain.

Lastly:

The possibility that Maura´s running away from Amherst may be a case of "dissociative fugue" syndrome (also called "running") has often been overlooked.
This serious state of partial or sometimes even complete amnesia often hits students and other young people suffering from a high and sustained degree of severe stress over a longer time.
Those affected may only recall random parts of their previous existence and often assume a new identity as a consequence of this.
The "dissociative fugue" syndrome is clearly explained on the Wikipedia Encyclopaedia web pages - please, have a look, and it will make you stop and think...

Thanks!

just me/Paris,

I hate to bother you again - you have been so helpful by having contacted Mr. Vasi - but when it's convenient, and if it's appropriate, can you please ask him about his injuries?

What parts of his body were struck? Left leg? Right leg? If on leg, then how far up from sole of foot? Hips? Front rib cage? Spine? Knees? Elbows? Where on head?

Also, did Mr. Vasi live off-campus when he was hit? If so, where? Just street name is fine. Does he assume he was walking to his dorm room/home when hit?

Thank you very much and please relay the appreciation of all of us to him.

mcsmom wrote:

LE had a copy of Mauras hard drive, why take the computer back from Kathleen after so long?

LE had a copy of the hard drive from the start? Do you know when LE said publicly they had a copy of the hard drive? Was it before they picked it back up from Kathleen or after?

Minor point for those not familiar with Amherst. Vasi was not hit/found exactly in the downtown area or the main business district of Amherst. Very close, but two different places.

There are two intersections of Mattoon and Triangle. Mattoon is sort of like a loop relative to Triangle. Most of Mattoon runs past the high school, track fields, etc. I had assumed, perhaps mistakenly, that Vasi was hit at the intersection closer to the "main drag" of Amherst, which is actually right on the very edge of the business district, where it changes to residential. There are three very popular bars nearby.

The other Mattoon/Triangle intersection is about a quarter mile farther southeast, going away from the bar area, and away from campus, too.

It is interesting that the Mattoon/Triangle intersection farther away from the bars has no stop sign as Mattoon feeds onto Triangle. The Mattoon part of the intersection actually broadens quite a lot before sweeping out onto Triangle just as Triangle takes a curve coming up the hill from Main.

Maybe Vasi stayed on the vehicle that hit him for a short distance before falling off or being removed. If removed, the driver may have stopped short, or hit another object, or exited the vehicle to remove Vasi manually.

BeagleBart wrote:

just me/Paris,
I hate to bother you again - you have been so helpful by having contacted Mr. Vasi - but when it's convenient, and if it's appropriate, can you please ask him about his injuries?
What parts of his body were struck? Left leg? Right leg? If on leg, then how far up from sole of foot? Hips? Front rib cage? Spine? Knees? Elbows? Where on head?
Also, did Mr. Vasi live off-campus when he was hit? If so, where? Just street name is fine. Does he assume he was walking to his dorm room/home when hit?
Thank you very much and please relay the appreciation of all of us to him.

Howdy, I'll just send this whole post to Petrit because I have asked him and he has not answered these things for me yet. When he see's your post, maybe he will go into it for me. I'd sure be interested to know also. And you're very welcome.

Couple of things...

A night or two after the vandalism, someone disabled the motion detectors on my backyard spotlights. I have known all my neighbors for 10-20 years. None would do anything like this. There has not been, as far as I know, a single case of vandalism in the past 20 years in this neighborhood.

I cannot help but think that there's a 10-20 percent chance that the person responsible for Maura's disappearance has been in my backyard twice now because of what I've written on this forum.

Also, I found out that there is a special procedure for keeping together the personal items that belong to the victim of a hit-and-run. BMC, and presumably other hospitals, too, have special bags to put the stuff into and the bag has to be locked away and signed for every time it changes hands until it reaches the police, who normally confiscate the stuff. If there is any evidence on Vasi's clothes connecting it with the Saturn, police haven't said anything about it. Not sure why they wouldn't. It would certainly clear up a big mystery.

I liked the idea about Billy's cell phone calls and what they might have represented.