Maura Murray

Maybe the show myth busters can put the rag theory to the test

http://www.cartalk.com/content/potato-tailpip...

jwb wrote:

I Emailed Mr Renner and asked him if he could look into the Duct tape.

I hope there is evidence, BUT why did the poster seem to disappear when pressed for details. Just because he said on a forum he turned it over to state police means nothing. I don't believe they would or could charge him with anything, he didn't go to the mainstream media. I do hope Renner can shine light on this but I don't see any LE agency disclosing the validity if true, they may not even deny it either, usual LE response "no comment, this is an ongoing investigation".

Too many so called facts that weren't have been in various forums and that's why I am skeptical. I hope your efforts with Renner pay off, all we can do is wait.

jwb wrote:

<quoted text>
#7 rag in the tailpipe, I had tried running many combinations of the phone numbers from the disappeared series.There is another grouping of numbers from another part of the series other than the numbers that Renner posted. I came up with an auto repair shop in I want to say the granby area. I will try and see if I can pull that up again. I am thinking that it is possible that she had someone look at her car just prior to her leaving on her trip and they possibly forgot to take the rag out. Quite possibly they used that technique to check for leaks.

Try stuffing a rag in a tailpipe and see how long it stays in there, pressure from exhaust will blow it out, though I never tried a wet rag. Usually when checking for leaks they just have someone hold a rag at the end of the tailpipe and its almost impossible to keep it there due to pressure unless there is a large exhaust leak which should be audible. You can stall an engine doing this but its hard and takes alot too hold it at the end of the pipe, heat and pressure.

jwb wrote:

Maybe the show myth busters can put the rag theory to the test

jwb,
Theories are difficult to develop! The "facts" are quite fluid, variable. I'm serious. Documentation may be lacking, but there are times when it seems it's for the best. When it is there....it is questionable. There are several theories as why Maura was looking for motel availability in Burlington and Stowe (VT). One prevalent theory is that she was stressed, wanted to charge her batteries and then "maybe" commit suicide (Bill, wasn't this one of your theories?). Back in 2004 the Burlington Winter Carnival took place either February 12-18 or February 13-15. Take your pick on the dates; it sometimes is posted as beginning Feb 12, other places it appears Feb 13. That was in 2004. People from Canada, particulary Quebec attended the Burlington Winter Carnival and most likely continue to do so. People arrive from a lot of places. It's a big event. It is often difficult to obtain motel reservations unless book early. Might have to look for motel vacancy in Stowe, a bit under 40 miles away. I think she had planned to attend the Burlington (VT) Winter Carnival. Maybe arrive Monday Feb 9, evening, rest up Tues, shop Wed and attend Carnival which was scheduled later in week. Return to Amherst Sunday, late afternoon.

NHwoodsman52 wrote:

<quoted text>
I hope there is evidence, BUT why did the poster seem to disappear when pressed for details. Just because he said on a forum he turned it over to state police means nothing. I don't believe they would or could charge him with anything, he didn't go to the mainstream media. I do hope Renner can shine light on this but I don't see any LE agency disclosing the validity if true, they may not even deny it either, usual LE response "no comment, this is an ongoing investigation".
Too many so called facts that weren't have been in various forums and that's why I am skeptical. I hope your efforts with Renner pay off, all we can do is wait.

I also have been emailing back in forth about the nhsp reports. He said he has them on his blog but he only has the Grafton Sherrif and Haverhill pd. I am waiting to hear back on that. I asked him if would look into providing copies.

aftermath wrote:

<quoted text>
jwb,
Theories are difficult to develop! The "facts" are quite fluid, variable. I'm serious. Documentation may be lacking, but there are times when it seems it's for the best. When it is there....it is questionable. There are several theories as why Maura was looking for motel availability in Burlington and Stowe (VT). One prevalent theory is that she was stressed, wanted to charge her batteries and then "maybe" commit suicide (Bill, wasn't this one of your theories?). Back in 2004 the Burlington Winter Carnival took place either February 12-18 or February 13-15. Take your pick on the dates; it sometimes is posted as beginning Feb 12, other places it appears Feb 13. That was in 2004. People from Canada, particulary Quebec attended the Burlington Winter Carnival and most likely continue to do so. People arrive from a lot of places. It's a big event. It is often difficult to obtain motel reservations unless book early. Might have to look for motel vacancy in Stowe, a bit under 40 miles away. I think she had planned to attend the Burlington (VT) Winter Carnival. Maybe arrive Monday Feb 9, evening, rest up Tues, shop Wed and attend Carnival which was scheduled later in week. Return to Amherst Sunday, late afternoon.

Burlinton is also a college town. Maybe she had an aquatence there?

NHwoodsman52 wrote:

<quoted text>
Try stuffing a rag in a tailpipe and see how long it stays in there, pressure from exhaust will blow it out, though I never tried a wet rag. Usually when checking for leaks they just have someone hold a rag at the end of the tailpipe and its almost impossible to keep it there due to pressure unless there is a large exhaust leak which should be audible. You can stall an engine doing this but its hard and takes alot too hold it at the end of the pipe, heat and pressure.

Maybe she did have a large exhaust leak and therefore the rag did not come out. It was reported also that the rag was stuffed way down.

I will try the rag in the tailpipe and see what happens. Do you think that a 4 cyc increases the chance of the rag not flying out as opposed to a 6 or 8 cyl? just a thought. Also wasn't it said that only of the cyl wasn't firing on her car?

aftermath wrote:

<quoted text>
jwb,
Theories are difficult to develop! The "facts" are quite fluid, variable. I'm serious. Documentation may be lacking, but there are times when it seems it's for the best. When it is there....it is questionable. There are several theories as why Maura was looking for motel availability in Burlington and Stowe (VT). One prevalent theory is that she was stressed, wanted to charge her batteries and then "maybe" commit suicide (Bill, wasn't this one of your theories?). Back in 2004 the Burlington Winter Carnival took place either February 12-18 or February 13-15. Take your pick on the dates; it sometimes is posted as beginning Feb 12, other places it appears Feb 13. That was in 2004. People from Canada, particulary Quebec attended the Burlington Winter Carnival and most likely continue to do so. People arrive from a lot of places. It's a big event. It is often difficult to obtain motel reservations unless book early. Might have to look for motel vacancy in Stowe, a bit under 40 miles away. I think she had planned to attend the Burlington (VT) Winter Carnival. Maybe arrive Monday Feb 9, evening, rest up Tues, shop Wed and attend Carnival which was scheduled later in week. Return to Amherst Sunday, late afternoon.

aftermath,
It´s an interesting theory, but if Maura was planning to drive to the Burlington/Stowe area of VT, how come she ended up on lonely NH Rte 112 in Swiftwater, Bath, in the very opposite direction?

Some people have been speculating that she might have missed the apparently somewhat tricky exit onto I-89 north towards Burlington,VT, from I-91 , but if so wouldn´t she had turned left (westwards) on Rte 302 West towards Barre/Montpelier and Burlington at the I-91 White River Junction exit?

Instead, she ended up on Rte 302 East, crossing over the Connecticut River into Woodsville,NH, and from there onto Rte 112.
Why?

If your theory would be the correct one, I can only picture Maura driving north on I-93 from somewhere in MA and then taking NH Rte 112 West towards Swiftwater/Woodsville at the Lincoln/North Woodstock exit.
Perhaps this is exactly what she in fact did?
There are no conclusive evidence that she in fact did pass through Woodsville,NH, before turning onto Rte 112.

I think the prior post concerning the rag makes sense. A mechanic may have been checking for an exhaust leak and inadvertently forgot to remove it. I doubt that they would come forward with it in light of the disappearance.

Any idea on why Maura would go see her dad and spend the night in his hotel room? That seems very bizarre to me. Has he ever stated the reason?

I read on another site that he waited a couple of years before being formally interviewed by police. Is this true and is it verifiable through public record?

jwb wrote:
"Burlinton is also a college town. Maybe she had an aquatence there?"

jwb,
Yes, it is a college town. It is also where many conferences are scheduled each year at u of VT. Having researched conference titles and I could see why Maura may possibly wanted to attend one or more of them.

NHwoodsman52 wrote:

<quoted text>
Try stuffing a rag in a tailpipe and see how long it stays in there, pressure from exhaust will blow it out, though I never tried a wet rag. Usually when checking for leaks they just have someone hold a rag at the end of the tailpipe and its almost impossible to keep it there due to pressure unless there is a large exhaust leak which should be audible. You can stall an engine doing this but its hard and takes alot too hold it at the end of the pipe, heat and pressure.

It's official kudos to NHwoodsman and Bill. I mytb bUsted the Rag. I put it down as far as I could and it stayed in there maybe all of a half second.

Bumping for Maura wrote:
"If your theory would be the correct one, I can only picture Maura driving north on I-93 from somewhere in MA and then taking NH Rte 112 West towards Swiftwater/Woodsville at the Lincoln/North Woodstock exit.
Perhaps this is exactly what she in fact did?
There are no conclusive evidence that she in fact did pass through Woodsville,NH, before turning onto Rte 112."

Bumping for Maura,
At one time I had considered her heading north on I-91. I had considered this for a time as a greater possibility than I-93 because on the map Amherst looks closer to I-91. However, recently I read that she may have taken I-93 and could see her taking this route if someone were accompanying her on I-93 in a separate vehicle (my understanding is the Saturn had seen its better days). The I-93, someone following in a separate vehicle perspective became even more appealing after reading a recent article about someone having called Maura on a cell phone (call pinged off tower at Londonderry); caller was within 23-mile radius of the tower. This call made to Maura somewhere between 0001 and 2400 hours. Everyone has questioned why she would attempt to drive so far north into NH and possibly Vermont with the Saturn. A second vehicle following behind the Saturn might have made her feel safer in taking this risk.

Correction: Caller was within 22-mile radius of tower in Londonderry (not within 23-mile radius).

aftermath wrote:

jwb wrote:
"Burlinton is also a college town. Maybe she had an aquatence there?"
jwb,
Yes, it is a college town. It is also where many conferences are scheduled each year at u of VT. Having researched conference titles and I could see why Maura may possibly wanted to attend one or more of them.

Interesting but based on her demeanor as well as the fact that she told one of her professors that there was a death in the family, I find it unlikely she was going to a conference. Also not to mention missing school.

If she was heading up 93 n and when the londonderry tower was pinged by another caller would it not show where maura was at the time based on her cell phone location? I don't know enough about that technology.

jwb wrote:

<quoted text>
Interesting but based on her demeanor as well as the fact that she told one of her professors that there was a death in the family, I find it unlikely she was going to a conference. Also not to mention missing school.

JWB,
Agreed. I, too, would prefer to attend a Burlington Winter Carnival rather than a conference (especially now in the day of power point presentations). She evidentally had her mind on something else days prior to her disappearance. A traffic ticket(?)prior to her disappearance indicated something about an accident resulting from her not being attentive. Nervous? Worried? Fearful? It's difficult to determine, but something was on her mind.

jwb wrote:

<quoted text>
Interesting but based on her demeanor as well as the fact that she told one of her professors that there was a death in the family, I find it unlikely she was going to a conference. Also not to mention missing school.

jwb,
Agreed. It would be reasonable to attend the Burlington Winter Carnival rather than a conference. Seemed as though it may have been a last minute idea, as she was attempting to determine motel availability more than a bit late if planning to attend the Winter Carnival.

Beagle wrote:

<quoted text>
Old dog??? Wise owl, right? And I gotta say, that low tide remark was right out of an Emile Gruppe painting. You look at some of Gruppe's pieces and you can just smell it.
BTW, this reminds me of riding/driving into Boston many years ago from the South Shore. I can't recall the exact location but I think it was after the Roxbury left lane exit and before the Kneeland St exit. There was a canal and a maybe a railroad bridge on the east side of SE Expressway (Rt 3). The canal was lined with large blocks of stone. You could see the sludge on their sides. Man, that really stunk to high heavens sometimes. Anyone here ever recall that? Just a little nostalgic for the old days, I guess.

correct; wise owl as in snowy white.
correct: that sweet smell of septic wafting right down from Maine; i smell it all the way over heah in Glosta.