The New Hampshire Union Leader

March 28, 2004

Murray's father wants FBI to help

CONCORD (AP) -- The father of a missing University of Massachusetts nursing student has asked Gov. Craig Benson for help to get the FBI involved in the case.

Fred Murray of Weymouth, Mass., wants the governor to urge New Hampshire State Police to call in the FBI for help in finding Maura Murray.

She has been missing since the evening of Feb. 9 after a minor accident in which she failed to make a curve on Route 112 outside Haverhill.

"The finest resource in the world is available and you, sir, should direct" state police to seek FBI help, Murray said in his letter. "There are corollary cases in Vermont also and this entire situation begs for central coordination and investigation by an agency which is not bound by the confines of configuration of Grafton County and the Connecticut River."

Murray referred to Brianna Maitland, 17, of Sheldon, Vt., who disappeared after she left work late on March 19. Her car was found about one mile from the restaurant in Montgomery, Vt., where she worked.

Murray said the FBI offered its assistance during the week of his daughter's disappearance, but state police declined the offer.

State police Lt. John Scarinza has said state police have enough resources to conduct the investigation.

Benson's office released a statement that said he "has complete faith in the efforts of the New Hampshire State Police in the manner in which this case is being handled."

The office included a letter from state police Col. Frederick Booth that said investigators have contacted Massachusetts police, Vermont State Police, FBI and many surrounding county and local police agencies.