Boston Globe

January 28, 2006

Father's request to see police files denied

Haverhill, N.H. -- A judge denied a Massachusetts man's request to see police files in the case of his daughter's disappearance nearly two years ago. Maura Murray went missing after a minor car accident in Haverhill in February 2004.

Fred Murray of Hanson, Mass., believes his daughter was a victim of foul play and that police have not paid enough attention to the case.

He sued to get access to files from the investigation, but a judge rejected the request on Thursday. The state resisted on grounds that a missing person investigation has the potential to become a criminal case. State lawyers said that disclosing details could compromise a future investigation. Grafton County Superior Court Judge Timothy Vaughn agreed.