Maura Murray

i was actually surprised, early on, to see J Renner's blog go in the direction of re-examining long held points of argument, speculation and theory previously dissected and documented on Topix, even with his required approval of comments before being published.
i was naive enough not to know the blog was his investigative tool.
i'm old school enough to have believed his interviews would have been fleshed out from his own successive leads.
on the other hand, how much more useful and effective it could have been if, indeed, this family, who hopes to "find" their Maura Murray, had engaged with this or another writer of their choice.
given the future book is unauthorized, it was inevitable that its creation took this path of discovery and whichever form it will eventually become.

BillNH wrote:

I had no idea that's who RO was. I don't feel enlightened seeing someone I know 'outed' on Renner's blog. I was ambivalent with other names being posted. Not so much at the moment.

I've been saying for years it's not good to out anyone on a public forum. Did'nt do any good though. Several people around town and several of my neighbors have been outed from the first forum to the present. I agree it's not a nice feeling to see someone you know being outed.
Renner knows that and it's the biggest reason why I've lost much respect for him.

From Renner's Methodology:

4. I will respect your privacy.
If you have a tip you'd like to send to me, let me know if you'd like me to publish your name or if I need to keep you as an anonymous source. Any significant leads will be passed on to the police, but I will omit your name if you want.

~~So it is safe to assume RO gave permission to be named?

Or did I miss the post about changing your methodology?

James?

BillNH wrote:

I had no idea that's who RO was. I don't feel enlightened seeing someone I know 'outed' on Renner's blog. I was ambivalent with other names being posted. Not so much at the moment.

billnh, i don't wish or need to defend james, nor do i advocate the 'outing' of people who choose to post anonymously online. however, i do think it's worth noting that the individual in question has a social network account that ties her "anonymous" posting name to her real name, both of which appear together in google search results. just google 'robinsonordway'(no space) and it's right there for all to see.

not to stir the pot on this topic yet again, but there's a news story out today about the confirmation of remains found recently in indiana. though sad, it's good this family can finally have closure. what i found interesting is that the remains were of a girl who disappeared from her family home after going for a hike in 2010. her remains were found less than a mile from her family's house and her father believes she may have died from hypothermia.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/04/25/remains-...

James Renner wrote:

As to Ordway. I talked to her over a year ago. I'm trying to figure out how best to handle identity there. But thanks for the concern.

From today's blog entry:

"Well, this red truck thing is more complicated that it looks.

As more info comes in, it appears there in fact WAS a suspicious red truck seen by a local woman named *****(also known as Robin/Robinson Ordway, online) at the Stage Shop around the time of Maura's disappearance. I now believe her statement that this red truck had Massachusetts plates ... This red truck with Mass plates is very interesting. Did Robinson witness this other driver turning around to return to the scene of Maura's accident?"

So, what I personally gather from his blog entry today is that he, in fact, did NOT talk to her a year ago, and the first quote is a lie. Otherwise, why is he just now finding out about the Mass plates that is suddenly "very interesting." Everything he has said and done about this issue tells me he never read anything himself about RO, and, in fact, does not appear to have perused her info even now. Had he talked to her/read her statements, he would know where she lived and that the truck did not "turn around" - it passed RO as she walked south on 112, pulled into the Stage Stop and then continued south.

And Renner "handled identity" by revealing RO's name - well, that was certainly a toughie, glad he found a creative solution. IMHO, he didn't know her name, and never talked to her, just lied to cover his keister.

Anybody who has never read about "narcissistic personality disorder" might take a gander at a description - you might find it interesting.

IF...if RO was indeed "interviewed" by Renner, I am sure that she would have related what her Posts were in 2006. She said the truck plates were red and white.
(at that time, NH temporary plates were red and white)

I remember feeling compassion for her because of her
family situation at that time. She seemed to be really trying to help the Murray family.

Shack wrote:

IF...if RO was indeed "interviewed" by Renner, I am sure that she would have related what her Posts were in 2006. She said the truck plates were red and white.
(at that time, NH temporary plates were red and white)
I remember feeling compassion for her because of her
family situation at that time. She seemed to be really trying to help the Murray family.

Gee shack I think you forgot the part where she said she thought they were MA plates. Just trying to jog your memory, I know how easy it is to forget things.:)

James Renner topix posting 34983 April 23,2013 "As to Ordway. I talked to her over a year ago. I'm trying to figure out how best to handle identity there." James Renner blog April 25,2013 The Red Truck Revised " Did Robinson witness this other driver turning around to return to the scene of Mauras accident?" This makes no sense. According to him he talked to RO over a year ago And now wondering what RO witnessed. If he has questions as to what RO witnessed then that means he never talked to RO.

James Renner topix posting 34983 April 23,2013. "Im trying to figure out how to best handle identity here." 3 days later after this posting he throws a name out on his blog.

This forum has more characters, twists, turns, drama, and head scratchers than the case itself. Kudos to one and all for being such magnificent weirdoes.

So what theories in particular make Renner so unpopular on this forum?

1) Traveling in tandem - as many of you have astutely pointed out there is little "widely known" evidence to suggest that this is accurate. However, I have a hard time swallowing the fact that Renner is going just on his gut feelings in making such a definitive statement.

2) His dismissal of the Vasi connect... While it would certainly make this case easier to digest, I don't think anyone has laid out a case that allows Maura the window of time away for her desk position to retrieve her car, strike Vasi, return to her desk, all without her absence being notes by anyone.

3) His focus on the Murray family... While I can see why this rubs some of you the wrong way, I think it's simply Renner's MO when it comes to investigating cases (See Dean Runkle). He shakes every tree until what falls from the branches starts to make sense. Can it be unfair... Sure it can, but I think we can concede that James has drummed up more interest and uncovered more facts than anyone in the last 5 years or so.

What say you "topix psychics"?

Also has anyone ever considered that Beagle is nothing more than a lonely Internet troll, with no actual knowledge of the case beyond what is widely known?

Consider, he has yet to post anything that hasn't been made available on either forums or news articles. Any "insider" information he has posted seems to be instantaneously refuted as fluff.

I read several pages (perhaps several hundred pages back) that someone suspected a possible Aspergers diagnoses, which based on the limited exposure Ive had to Beagle's online persona I would guess may be pretty close to accurate (if not another spectrum disorder).

But in any case, Beagle, you have certainly brought some life to this board.

BillNH wrote:

From Renner's Methodology:
4. I will respect your privacy.
If you have a tip you'd like to send to me, let me know if you'd like me to publish your name or if I need to keep you as an anonymous source. Any significant leads will be passed on to the police, but I will omit your name if you want.
~~So it is safe to assume RO gave permission to be named?
Or did I miss the post about changing your methodology?
James?

His metholodology is bull crap.Hopefully you will now understand why I and others will not talk to him.

Renner blog April 18,2013. About the Red Truck. "One of the rumors, I didnt put much stock into it, I thought it might have been something made up by a psychic on topix." Renner April 23,2013 topix posting 34983. "As to Ordway I talked to her over a year ago." Renners blog April 25,2013. The Red Truck Revised. "The red truck with Ma plates is interesting." No comment his postings says it all.

Wowzer the real one wrote:

<quoted text>
I've been saying for years it's not good to out anyone on a public forum. Did'nt do any good though. Several people around town and several of my neighbors have been outed from the first forum to the present. I agree it's not a nice feeling to see someone you know being outed.
Renner knows that and it's the biggest reason why I've lost much respect for him.

i personally think he throws out names to force people to talk to him.

citigirl wrote:

<quoted text>i personally think he throws out names to force people to talk to him.

i think it's unfortunate that, whatever their reasoning, family and close friends who were initially approached by james to be interviewed for his book completely refused his invitations. the book could have fairly represented their perspectives and experiences, and certainly it was evident to them that he would follow through with the book with or without their input. i, for one, will look forward to reading the book but will also know that it's incomplete because pieces of the story that family and friends could have filled in will be missing. that is what i find most unfortunate about this situation given that so many of us outsiders care as much as we do about maura's disappearance.

i agree with your statement above but think that family and friends had more power than maybe they realized to keep james from going down that road of trying to force their hand. imagine if any family member or close friend had sat down with him for interviews – even with an attorney present, if need be – and answered some of his questions. maybe they would give vague answers or refuse to answer some questions altogether. but in the end, by sitting down with him and at least humoring his attempts to find answers, the family could have stopped the train long before it left the station, so to speak.

there have been more than a few times i've seen posted in forums the accusation that james' primary motivation is to sensationalize the details of maura's disappearance for the purpose of profiting from her story by writing his book. sadly, the cynic in me wonders if maura's family is refusing to contribute to the research for james' book because they would prefer to write – and profit themselves – from a book in which they can control the narrative.

"The ugliness we see in others is a reflection of our own nature." – Unknown

whatif wrote:

<quoted text>
billnh, i don't wish or need to defend james, nor do i advocate the 'outing' of people who choose to post anonymously online. however, i do think it's worth noting that the individual in question has a social network account that ties her "anonymous" posting name to her real name, both of which appear together in google search results. just google 'robinsonordway'(no space) and it's right there for all to see.

Thanks whatif. I would have preferred Mr. Renner to bail himself out of this one so I guess he owes you a pat on the back for finding it for him as I am sure he had no idea.

I am sure he feels he has reasons to do what he does. It's his job, he can do as he chooses. I do have a suspicion this book will be his last investigative work. Whether he is bored with it or not up to the task, he is not conducting himself in a way that will make future books of this type easier or even possible. His credibility with Topix posters is immaterial but the reputation he is building for future witnesses will guaranty he will not get much past the title. But again, it's his sandbox, he can play in it as he wishes.

BillNH wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks whatif. I would have preferred Mr. Renner to bail himself out of this one so I guess he owes you a pat on the back for finding it for him as I am sure he had no idea.
I am sure he feels he has reasons to do what he does. It's his job, he can do as he chooses. I do have a suspicion this book will be his last investigative work. Whether he is bored with it or not up to the task, he is not conducting himself in a way that will make future books of this type easier or even possible. His credibility with Topix posters is immaterial but the reputation he is building for future witnesses will guaranty he will not get much past the title. But again, it's his sandbox, he can play in it as he wishes.

good morning, billnh. i certainly won't disagree with your assessment of the potential future impact of james' decisions with regards to how he handles his sources via his blog. it may be something he later comes to regret. he can always edit or delete his blog postings or the entire thing altogether, but as we all know, the internet never forgets.:)

well, they love him (John Green and Herm), are neutral, or they're haters. doesn't matter; he's still writing the book, and it will be published.