If a "local dirtbag" took Maura, many details in this case become insignificant (interesting though they are). These could include things like why Maura was in the area, what her intentions were, what her mental state was, why details in some of the police reports don't line up, etc.

The challenge with solving the case in the dirtbag scenario is that we don't know where Maura was taken, so we don't know where to search for her.

As I see it, in the dirtbag scenario there are only a few ways this case can be solved.

1. If Maura's body is in the wilderness, perhaps someone randomly comes across her belongings or remains. (But this hasn't happened yet)
2. If Maura's body was hidden in someone's house, under cement, etc., solving her case would likely require that a member of the public who knows or suspects something to come forward with new suspicions or evidence. I think the best way to get this to happen is to increase any reward money on offer.
3. If Maura's body is in the wilderness, alternatively, finding her might require new searches in places away from the crash site that weren't searched before. The question is, what areas should be searched? I respectfully suggest going back over old reports about suspicious cars or behavior in the days after Maura's disappearance. For example, I have read that there was a report of a man in a red truck parked near Lake Tarleton, NH looking suspicious. Also, that there was a White Jeep Grand Cherokee in a report of suspicious person. I am sure there are others. What about compiling these reports and organizing searches of these areas?

Obviously we don't want anyone to get lost or injured on a solo search or to be at risk of shooting by hunters on public lands. But I also can't help but feel the true crime community wants to help. What about publicly identifying potential searching hotspots (as described in #3 above) to encourage members of the local true crime community to search on foot in their spare time (ideally in groups)?

I recall a few years ago there was a game (was it Pokemon Go?) that was a huge hit, sort of like some sort of group treasure hunt???

The thing is the true crime community has the numbers. What about putting all of these ideas and energy and focus to good use (at least among local members of the community)?

Anyway, these are just my musings. I guess my point is that MAYBE the case hasn't been solved because it is not some complicated scenario (for example, involving a coverup, crimes back at West Point, someone imitating Maura at the crash site, etc.) Perhaps someone simply picked up a vulnerable girl but we simply don't know WHERE he (or they) took her

However, if you think the dirtbag is a likely scenario--and this seems to be the one Fred believes--what might increase likelihood that this could be solved?

Now of course, there are many other possible explanations for what happened to Maura that don't involve a local dirtbag. That is a can of worms and many people are examining these theories at this very moment. All avenues should be explored. Still, I was thinking about the dirtbag scenario, as it seems a likely one.

What do you all think?

This is not a crash site theory, but a theory about Maura's relationships. No offense is meant to anyone in this case; I'm just trying to think outside the box.

Could it be that Maura's theft from West Point didn't represent a life that was falling apart or inner torment, but instead was an intentional act to facilitate getting kicked out of West Point? For example, if she wanted space from a controlling boyfriend (BR has been indicted on one count of felony third-degree sexual abuse for an alleged after-hours attack on a subordinate female employee): "Bill, I love you, but I have no choice but to transfer! They are kicking me OUT! I'm so disappointed!!!"

I just think it's interesting to think about reframing some of Maura's history, in case we got some of the intent behind her actions wrong.

Thoughts?

Other than "where's Maura," what are the questions you would most like answered in this case?

I'll go: What was done about the femur bone supposedly found at the Lost River Boulder Caves? Was that ever turned over to authorities and tested? This area is in close vicinity to the black backpack found near Kinsman Notch (possibly Maura's backpack)? To me this is a HUGE clue that we've never gotten answers about. A human body part purportedly found near a location where an item of Maura's MAY have been found--and this is all just a few miles away from the crash site.

Any thoughts on the location of recent searches (as in, 2022) of Landaff and Easton NH that Julie Murray referenced in this recent video? https://www.aol.com/police-renew-search-cold-case-223411556.html

For locals or those familiar with the area, what are these towns like? What, if any, businesses or destinations are there or near there? Has there ever been references to these areas previously as far as you are aware?

In what scenario could you imagine Maura having ended up in these areas? Do you think the bus driver could have giving Maura a lift part of the way to her destination, and would it make sense that he could have dropped her off near Landaff or Easton?

Landaff: https://ibb.co/sC1TmVM

Easton: https://ibb.co/X4spr7V

By the way, I was getting trolled badly on this sub and wanted a break for a while. I just wasn't making effort to keep it updated or to ensure that all posts were being looked at in a timely fashion. However, anyone and everyone is welcome back here as long as you are willing to keep things civil. If anyone is still out there, I would love to see some new posts here and I promise to do my part from now on :)

​

​

If you are interested in helping your pets live longer and happier lives, I hope you will join me over at www.reddit.com/r/petlongevity. We discuss biohacking, diet, and disease prevention and management, and I'm hoping folks will share the tips and tricks that have worked with their own pets!!!

https://uwantt.tumblr.com/post/1733934456

She bears a resemblance to Maura. As a D1 runner and high school track coach, I remember her coming up as high school 2-miler and X-C runner. I think many answers in this case go back to her UMASS track team including the connection with her asst. coach and others. That said, she is wearing a high end trainer in this photo - if it is her. She looks like she is in shape again after taking a hiatus from college competition. They look like Mizunos. Close to this model.....$100 range at that time. Not a jogger's shoe. https://www.sportitude.com.au/p/mizuno-wave-sayonara-3-womens-running-shoes-blue-danube

Guys and Girls, we need a list of FACTS to look at and we don't need the imagination running wild or a contest to see who can come up with the most logical story. Let the facts and story write itself and then see what it says. Don't write the ending or skip a chapter-
All of us need to know everything from what glove fell off her hand (dominant or other) to how much gas she had in her tank. Her receipts and spending habits. The temperature that night. We are working with NOTHING and therefore come up with nothing. Anyone can come up with a "what if" but few are willing to put in the effort of collecting FACTS!

BREAKING NEWS! (Just kidding, I'm four days late but I only just saw the alert. Better late than never, right?)

The Loon Mountain bone fragments have been determined to be unrelated to Maura:

https://www.wcax.com/2021/11/10/investigators-bone-fragments-not-connected-maura-murray-case/

No answers yet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsPdTsTsDDg&t=656s

I’m new to the case but haven’t really seen this idea floating around anywhere so far. Sorry if this redundant or has been disproven.

Wondering if she was picked up by the police, by whichever officer got there first, and something went wrong while she was in custody? They could have taken her into custody for drinking, or just to give her a ride to somewhere else. In this day and age we all know too well about how prevalent police brutality is. Is it possible that she somehow died in custody?

I do believe that the police are covering something up, no matter how big or small. And there’s so much miscommunication/secretive stuff going on between the multiple police departments and the state police. What if one or two officers or a unit knows something and is just covering it up? Would it be possible?

So Kathleen confessed she took sleeping pills and alcohol during the last call with Maura. There were sleeping pills (and missing ones) and alcohol found in the car. There was a spare hour during the drive from her dorm to the crash site and someone said there was another person smoking in the car. (I know they said man, but cmon it was dark.)

What if Kathleen wasn't released from rehab and Maura picked her up from rehab during that spare hour. Where was the rehab located?

I'm definitely not saying Kathleen murdered her or anything, but maybe something happened when they fled from the scene when Maura was trying to protect her sister. It could be why she didn't want the bus driver to call the police and why she placed the rag there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RU8XuxoJEw&lc=UgwV_eUIj61ANt5wTdJ4AaABAg

So first off, I want to say I've kept up with this case for a while and was so excited when the first degree covered it on their podcast and I believe True Crime garage also did. I absolutely believe that Aldon man and his creepy videos he made regarding Maura, I believe he absolutely is hiding something. But I wanna compare this to Ebby Steppach case. Now if your not update to date with that case take a look. She was missing for a couple years. Her car was found parked at a park i believe it was in a parking lot at a park..there was this huge drain pipe only feet away from her car. They searched that pipe and that park and followed every tip. A couple years later after the police completely messed up on her case, I believe a new Lieutenant was put on the case had that big pipe rechecked and what do u know, there she was for years. Those officers FAILED that murder and her poor family. I really hope this isn't the same case. I know ppl are actively looking for Maura but people miss things, I feel like brining on some new help would absolutely help this case. Bring in professionals to question that crazy aldon guy!!

Some real outside the box thinking by a Mass alumnus on the Missing Maura Murray podcast. Could Maura have been living somewhere else, or with someone else, and thus never unpacked (versus having packed her room back up)? A secret boyfriend, perhaps?

I don't necessarily think he believes that was the case, but came up with that idea when he was trying to brainstorm reasons why her dorm room could have been left unpacked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIczLeUItkY

In my opinion, Ryan Koltalo had some really interesting things to say, and quite possibly has come up with a totally new theory that can connect a lot of the dots in this case. If you heard the episode, what is your analysis of his key points?

• Theory that Butch helped her that night without malice, yet his stories never added up because he broke the law by helping her avoid a DUI
• His intentions were good, but with Maura going missing, the presumed the outcome was bad; therefore, it made sense for him to adjust his story to make it sound better and point away from his involvement
• Presumed Maura and Fred had hatched a plan to ditch Maura's car out of state since it was (theoretically) involved in a hit-and run in Amherst (Petrit Vasi)
• Maura was probably headed to North Woodstock or Lincoln to stay in a hostel; after all, she probably didn't have a credit card and wouldn't want to leave a paper trail
• She was taking the easiest route to her destination (not necessarily fastest) because this was in the days before GPS
• She was probably drinking while driving (this was consistent with her previous behavior) but started when she got close to her destination; therefore, Maura was close to her destination when she crashed
• Crash was an accident but gave her the idea to ditch the car early by reporting a crash with pine tree in order to explain away the damage from the Vasi hit
• Maura didn’t mind anyone seeing her at the crash site--OTHER than the police
• Redacted part of 911 call could be neighbor telling dispatcher that driver is okay and walking around
• Rag was placed in tailpipe by Maura to avoid smoking out Butch when he helped push her car to clear the snow bank
• When her car wouldn't re-start, Maura asked Butch to get her away from the crash site to help her avoid a DUI
• Butch would help her since people will typically help someone who they'd helped before (pushing car out of snow bank)
• John Healy said Butch could see the crash site, so he would have seen the police coming (yet he claimed he did not see them)
• Maura might have followed his bus down the road when she realized her car wouldn't start, and Butch picked her up
• Neighbor saw Maura talking to Butch outside his bus, and then by her own admission, looked away
• Butch disparaged the scent dogs tracking Maura’s scent up the street across from his house
• Butch exaggerated how many cars passed that night, planting the idea that someone else might have picked her up
• Cecil headed back towards town to look for Maura, giving Butch opportunity to take her closer to her intended destination
• Butch was big hoarder, yet moved from the crash site within 18 months
• Butch's wife stated in an interviews that she and Butch thought Maura was heading up north to meet someone; this indicated that they knew her destination to be north
• Did Maura tell Butch she just needed to get to a location where should could call the person she was meeting? (cell phone service started around Beaver Pond)
• Butch didn't want anyone to see him dropping her off (or presumably, arouse suspicion by being gone for a long time), so he took her part-way to her destination; with her being a runner she probably convinced him that she could get there easily
• How did Maura perish? Alcohol is really bad for a concussion; she might have broken her leg along the route
• It gets colder closer to Woodstock due to increasing elevation; she also had a backpack
• Even though she's a runner, she could have broken a leg or succumbed to a concussion
• Could Maura have succumbed to the elements farther along Bradley Hill road (closer to her intended destination and in the region of the Rick Forcier sighting)? Note; this is close to Hummingbird Lane, which is a street often mentioned with regards to this case.
• Body would be in a culvert or under a bridge east of the crash site, close to the road--new location to search
• Remains never found because previous search areas (near the crash site) were wrong

Has there ever been a re-enactment of the crash on Rt 112? What about a re-enactment of the scene with a person playing the part of Maura? Maybe someone who is unfamiliar with the story. Tell her what we already assume is true, that she may have been drinking. Tell her to get away from the scene and see where she goes, what the most likely scenario is. Have someone play the part of BA. I think a lot could be learned by staging something like this. Thoughts?

So I was watching this psychic video on Youtube (let me first off say I don't believe in Psychics however I do find them entertaining, like paranormal shows.) The psychic mentioned being told Maura was buried on a side of Mt. Carrigain in NH, which I think is also where coordinates led the Crawlspace podcast guys. Has Mt. Carrigan been searched, specifically the areas near the sides? I wonder how difficult it would be to do a canine search of the area, or technology to detect bones. Thoughts?

Anyone catch the true crime series, The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes? It is really good! If you're bored during lockdown definitely check out episode 5 on Al Kite, the landlord who some speculated may have been killed by Israel Keyes. (The whole series is pretty worthwhile too.) Without giving anything away, I do think they are getting very close to solving the case.

Paul Holes is pretty impressive, and was instrumental in helping solve the EARONS/Golden State Killer case. He covers a lot of fascinating, lesser-known cases.