"The Disappearance of Maura Murray" on Oxygen

[BlueGalexy]

After watching the pilot episode of this miniseries, I can say that I immediately found myself more captivated by the program than I was by Oxygen's similar coverage of the Natalee Holloway case. I appreciated that the young woman taking part in this program, an investigative reporter by the name of Maggie Freleng I believe, seemed to keep an open mind about this case, rather than allowing herself to be swayed by the intense media coverage.

One of the things about this case that has always bothered me is the treatment of Fred Murray by the media at large. I believe now, and always have, that Fred Murray gets a bad rap so to speak. I'm not really sure where this negative perception of Fred Murray comes from (though I have my suspicions), but I was glad to see it addressed in Freleng's report.

Though it was only the first episode, my opinion of what ultimately happened to Maura Murray has not changed. I've always believed that Murray left the accident scene alone on foot, somehow became lost and/or disoriented, and ultimately succumbed to the elements. Perhaps my opinion will change after watching subsequent episodes. I'll just have to wait and see I guess.

[Cori aka ChrisSCrush]

Interesting series! If she'd just keeled over someplace, the body or some trace of it would have been found. Police dogs tracked her scent to a spot still on the road so presumably she either got into a car or was put into one...did not wander off the road.

My sister had a college roommate who pulled a disappearing act. She had issues and later turned up alive, but was not missing for that long.

[dynoguy88]

Hate that I missed seeing this on TV. I hope they rerun it.

[LakeForestPI]

If I was a riverboat gambler I'd wager it all on Maura Murrays remains eventually being found in the wooded area not too far from where he car was found. 3-4 mile radius

[dynoguy88]

I've seen the first two episodes now on YouTube and it's interesting that Maggie was able to get an interview with Kathleen, Maura's oldest sister. She hasn't given an interview to ANYBODY in over a decade. She's kind of looked at as the "black sheep," of the family because of her past problems with alcohol. There's even a part where they talk with Helena Murray on the phone and all she says is, "We haven't talked to her. Kathleen...has problems." The big cliffhanger in episode two is Maggie asking Kathleen what Maura might have meant when she had her breakdown at work two days before her disappearance and kept saying, "my sister, my sister."

There was also an interview with the fellow nursing student whom Maura returned the nursing scrubs to just before she left the UMass campus for good. She mentioned talking to Maura on the phone about returning the clothes and telling her it wasn't necessary. She also said Maura sounded upset on the phone and voiced a couple times, "my sister," which Maggie made note of.

Also there were interviews with Julie Murray and Maura's younger brother. They mentioned how much it was important to them to always please Fred. They didn't like Maura's boyfriend, which was a similar reaction to that of Maura's friends.

The interview with Fred was nothing new. As usual, he says Maura was perfect, perfect, perfect. He brings out some of her old high school report cards and shows them to Maggie which are then flashed on screen so the viewers know she was a straight 'A' student. You're never going to get anything more out of Fred other than Maura being perfect. I was kind of hoping Maggie would ask him why he waited five years to talk to investigators but I'm guessing she might not have been allowed to ask that in exchange for the interview.

After talking with James Renner, Maggie said she was very surprised over how not evil he was, after the things she was told by Maura's family members. Although there was nothing new from Renner personally that we didn't already know.

They visited Maura's car in the impound lot and looked at the list of all the things that were inside.

So far, this has been an interesting series. I'm still surprised at some of the interviews Maggie has been granted. I highly, highly doubt that Kate Markopoulos and Sarah Alfieri will agree to be interviewed but we'll see what happens down the road.

[SPD Yellow]

Originally Posted by LakeForestPI

If I was a riverboat gambler I'd wager it all on Maura Murrays remains eventually being found in the wooded area not too far from where he car was found. 3-4 mile radius

That’s what I think is the likeliest outcome. I must seem like such a killjoy, because true crime buffs keep coming up with these elaborate theories. Meanwhile I play the part of wet blanket, pointing out that the wilderness and elements can make finding a body very difficult. If Maura was drunk, after the wreck, she could have stumbled around until she died of exposure. From there, Mother Nature would take care of the rest.

People are always acting like Maura Murray was a Machiavellian Chess Master of Planning, but I’m not seeing it. There seemed little planning around her trip and while it’d be nice to believe that she’s started a new life in Canada or somewhere, again, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. People greatly underestimate how difficult it is to disappear and start a new life.

[BlueGalexy]

Originally Posted by SPD Yellow

That’s what I think is the likeliest outcome. I must seem like such a killjoy, because true crime buffs keep coming up with these elaborate theories. Meanwhile I play the part of wet blanket, pointing out that the wilderness and elements can make finding a body very difficult. If Maura was drunk, after the wreck, she could have stumbled around until she died of exposure. From there, Mother Nature would take care of the rest.

People are always acting like Maura Murray was a Machiavellian Chess Master of Planning, but I’m not seeing it. There seemed little planning around her trip and while it’d be nice to believe that she’s started a new life in Canada or somewhere, again, I just don’t think it’s going to happen. People greatly underestimate how difficult it is to disappear and start a new life.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I've run the gamut on this case. Initially I believed that the good Samaritan, who has since died I believe, was involved. I quickly came to believe he truly was just an innocent bystander however. Then I believed that Murray met with foul play at someone else's hands. I dismissed that line of thought as well, after realizing how slim the odds would be that some random killer happened by at just that time. I never put any stock in the varied theories that this was a voluntary absence somehow. I think you're spot on SPD. Those types of plans aren't nearly the simple matter everyone seems to believe them to be, and require many long term resources that few people have access to. Yes, I believe Murray had some serious problems in her life at the time she went missing, but I just can't get on board with the run away theories.

Eventually I came to believe that Murray set out for help on foot, maybe trying to avoid a potential DUI charge, maybe just out of desperation, and in her beleaguered condition, became disoriented and succumbed to the elements. I too believe her remains may eventually be found within the surrounding area of the original accident. For those who believe she would have been discovered already if that were the case, I would simply point out that many missing persons cases are eventually resolved this way. Hell, it took years for John Glasgow to finally turn up on Petit Jean mountain. Same with the Shannan Gilbert disappearance.

To be honest though, the recent revelation from the first responder that indicates a rag may have been stuffed in her car's tailpipe does tend to cast things in an intriguing new light. Kind of puts me in mind of the Leah Roberts disappearance. Didn't LE eventually discover evidence that her car was tampered with somehow?

[Todd Mueller]

Originally Posted by dynoguy88

Hate that I missed seeing this on TV. I hope they rerun it.

It looks like you can watch all the episodes here.

[dynoguy88]

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

It looks like you can watch all the episodes here.

Muchas gracias!

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by BlueGalexy

After watching the pilot episode of this miniseries, I can say that I immediately found myself more captivated by the program than I was by Oxygen's similar coverage of the Natalee Holloway case. I appreciated that the young woman taking part in this program, an investigative reporter by the name of Maggie Freleng I believe, seemed to keep an open mind about this case, rather than allowing herself to be swayed by the intense media coverage.

One of the things about this case that has always bothered me is the treatment of Fred Murray by the media at large. I believe now, and always have, that Fred Murray gets a bad rap so to speak. I'm not really sure where this negative perception of Fred Murray comes from (though I have my suspicions), but I was glad to see it addressed in Freleng's report.

Fred Murray, the guy who had pictures of teenage relatives stashed away in porn magazines at his house. I'm pretty sure that's not normal.

It was difficult to take Maggie Freleng seriously, with her entire body covered in hideous tattoos. She strikes me as someone who saw this as a popular case and used it to boost her career, wanting to put her own personal stamp on it when the subject has been discussed at length and then some.

[SJP1313]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

Fred Murray, the guy who had pictures of teenage relatives stashed away in porn magazines at his house. I'm pretty sure that's not normal.

It was difficult to take Maggie Freleng seriously, with her entire body covered in hideous tattoos. She strikes me as someone who saw this as a popular case and used it to boost her career, wanting to put her own personal stamp on it when the subject has been discussed at length and then some.

That’s some really hideous garbage you’re spreading. Fred Murray did not have photos of anyone stashed away in magazines. The house you’re referring to never belonged to Fred. It belonged to his brother, in fact the deed to the house is public.

As for Maggie, not everyone agrees with her journalistic style but judging her or anyone because they have tattoos? Extremely narrow minded and short sighted.

[TheDisappearanceOfMM]

If you’re interested in following the discussion and developments in Maura’s story, join us: https://m.facebook.com/groups/136890450285229?ref=share