New Hampshire police launch new search in Maura Murray cold case

LANDAFF, N.H. (WCAX) - Police launched a new search effort on Wednesday in a New Hampshire cold case. State police say the search off Route 112 in Landaff and Easton is part of the investigation into the Maura Murray case.

It has been more than 18 years since Murray disappeared after crashing her car in North Haverhill, New Hampshire. Over the years, there have been various leads, however, all have turned up empty. But, Wednesday, the search continued.

More than a dozen New Hampshire state troopers walked along Route 112 in Landaff on Wednesday after searching the nearby woods for clues leading to the whereabouts of Maura Murray. The nursing student went missing in February 2004.

Officials say it’s possible Murray was on her way to a nearby ski area. Her car was found on the side of the road in North Haverhill.

According to a press release from the New Hampshire attorney general, no new information led to Wednesday’s search. “It is part of an ongoing investigative process and will consist of a more extensive search surrounding areas that had been previously searched in a more limited fashion.”

It’s the latest development of many in the case. Back in 2019, a cement floor was ripped up in North Haverhill after dogs hit on a spot in the basement. That turned up empty, much to the pain of Murray’s dad.

“This is worse than the other false alarms or dead ends,” Fred Murray said in 2019.

Last year, human remains were located at Loon Mountain, which once again had family members hopeful.

“This one feels a little bit different,” Maura’s sister, Julie Murray, said in 2021.

But once again, the lead fell flat.

The renewed search for Maura Murray on Wednesday offers evidence that authorities have not given up on the case, a message they have been telling the public for years.

“Everybody involved remains committed to following every lead that is out there,” N.H. Assistant Attorney General Jeff Strelzin said in 2019.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Julie Murray said her family is encouraged by the search efforts and they remain hopeful for a resolution.

Authorities say due to the ongoing investigation, they will release no further information at this time. Anyone with information about Maura Murray is asked to call the New Hampshire Cold Case Unit at 603-223-3648 or email them at Coldcaseunit@dos.nh.gov.

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