Episode 47: The Vanishing of Maura Murray (pt. 1)
In this episode of Super SUS, we unravel one of the most perplexing missing persons cases in recent history: the disappearance of Maura Murray.
Who Was Maura Murray?
Maura Murray was a 21-year-old nursing student at UMass Amherst—smart, athletic, and by all accounts, responsible. But in February 2004, a series of personal setbacks and odd behaviors set the stage for her mysterious vanishing.
The Timeline: What Happened to Maura?
In the days leading up to her disappearance, Maura experienced emotional distress, a minor legal issue, and a car accident involving her father’s vehicle.
On February 9, 2004, Maura emailed her professors about a fabricated family emergency, withdrew nearly all her money, bought alcohol, and left campus alone in her Saturn sedan.
That evening, her car was found crashed on a rural road in Haverhill, New Hampshire. Witnesses saw her at the scene, but by the time police arrived, Maura was gone.
The car contained strange clues: red wine stains, a rag in the tailpipe, her belongings, but no sign of a struggle. There were no footprints in the fresh snow, and her phone and cards were never used again.
Theories and Unanswered Questions
The case quickly drew national attention and spawned countless theories:
Voluntary Disappearance: Did Maura run away to start a new life, overwhelmed by recent events?
Foul Play: Was she abducted after the crash, possibly by someone posing as a police officer or passerby?
Tragic Accident: Did she succumb to the elements after leaving her car?
The lack of physical evidence, conflicting witness accounts (including a reported police SUV sighting), and a scent trail that abruptly ended in the road all add to the mystery.
Why This Case Still Matters
Maura’s disappearance became one of the first viral true crime cases of the internet age, captivating online sleuths and spawning podcasts, documentaries, and forums dedicated to finding answers. Her family—especially her father Fred—has never stopped searching for the truth.
What’s Next?
This episode sets the stage for Part Two, where we’ll dive deeper into the wildest theories and internet investigations. For now, Maura Murray’s case remains unsolved—a haunting reminder of how quickly someone can vanish, and how many questions can be left behind.
👉 If you have any information about Maura Murray’s disappearance, please contact the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at (603) 223-3856 or coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov. You can also submit tips to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.
⚠️ If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you are not alone. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 to connect with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support, available 24/7.
