Some time ago, a man named Daniel Parkka was given access to Maura Murray’s car and the data from the Saturn’s computer. Parkka is an expert in accident reconstruction. His findings were presented to the Murray family in a Collision Report. A copy of that report that was given to Erinn Larkin leaked online last year. The leaked version is grainy. Here’s a screenshot:
Over the last couple weeks, the theory that Maura Murray hit a UMass student with her Saturn during a quick break from work, has taken on a new light and now seems at least likely enough to be considered. The theory is that Maura took the car to New Hampshire to hide it from anyone looking for the vehicle involved in a hit-and-run on campus and to stage an accident that would explain the damage to the car. Further, the story goes that the airbags deployed at UMass when she hit Vasi, and that the bags were mended and arranged so that she could drive up to New Hampshire.
While reviewing Parkka’s report, a few details support the hit-and-run theory.
First, as you can see above, Parkka concluded that the damage to the hood and fender of Maura’s Saturn was not consistent with hitting a tree or snow bank or the final placement of the car. But coming at the report with a mind open to the hit-and-run theory, something else stands out.
On pages 12 and 13, Parkka explains some of the data he got from the car’s computer. Quote: “To associate the data collected from the SDM [Sensing and Diagnostic Module] with the case involving the disappearance of Maura Murray, the ignition cycle was evaluated. According to the data, the airbags deployed after 20,328 cycles of the ignition key. At the time this analyst downloaded the data, the ignition cycled was 20,335; a difference of 7 cycles. These 7 cycles could have occurred during the removed of the Saturn or any attempt to restart the vehicle after the airbag deployment.”
That could be a very important clue. Sometime between the airbags being deployed and Maura vanishing, she, or someone else, started (or tried to start) the car seven more times. Now, of course, some of this could be explained by Maura’s efforts after the crash in Haverhill to get the car moving again (if that’s what she wanted to do).
It could also explain a longer delay between airbags being deployed and the car being abandoned. If the hit-and-run theory is true, Maura would have driven back to the parking lot and gone to work again (this is the night she had the mental breakdown within an hour of the accident). She would have started it again when she drove to drop off scrubs (1 cycle); took out money for the ATM (2); bought booze (3); got gas (4). That leaves three more starts or attempted starts before the disappearance.
It could also explain why this collision report was never made public.
It is too coincidental that Maura would have a total meltdown around the time of the hit and run. I never thought it had anything to do with her sister. I wonder if Bill knew but the question remains– what did she intend to do with the car and who knew? Strengthens your theory that there was a tandem driver but then what happened? Was she even driving– it was her at the ATM .. so would appear so–
I have always believed that she did hit Vasi. And now more evidence is coming to light to prove this.
I can’t see any other reason why she would have had a breakdown except for the hit and run.
Wow. Holy fuc*ng hell
I believe she hit vasi too but this info would be a lot more damming without the rag. As someone who’s driven a couple cars with bad eexhaust and couple car accidents. When your in a 1 car accident involving no other people my first reaction in shock has been to try and drive away. Maura very well could have tried to start the car and when it failed attempted to increase back pressure by plugging exhaust with a rag. The flurry of activity at the trunk. maura popped her trunk pulled out the rag and stuffed it in the exaust. She probly had a clock in her head on how long was too long to stay. After the rag didn’t work she pulled out the booze she could carry anything she needed(I’d phone cc) and left on foot after locking the car. Then foul play happened possibly with her accomplice/ tandem driver. The vasi theory makes more sense if maura knew who was driving the car but not her because this gives tandem driver motive especially after realizing the police would now have the vehicle.
If we knew the timing of the ignition attempts it would be better. Also if the car hit vasi but never slowed down the airbag would not deploy. The type the Saturn had was not crumple sensing. It was deployed by a gyrometer which could sense when the cars sudden stopping caused an unnatural amount of g force . There are no collision sensors on that car. But if someone slammed the brakes and hit vasi it would deploy
So with your car knowledge what percentage are you putting on foul play of tandem driver or unknown? Who do you finger as possible tandem driver? I would have no idea who might be driving her car instead of her and hit Vasi. With her state mind of mind likely her. During a traumatic period in my youth I actually had two accidents within a couple days– also in winter driving.
Good info James.
At that time on average there was a hit and run accident in Amherst once every 17 days. Was the Saturn driven to N.H with an airbag hanging out of the steering wheel.
It is possible and the car was drivable. NHSP had Lavoe start the car for them on Wed Feb 11th and Fred Murray started the car on Friday Feb 13th.
So it is unlikely there was any resetting of any saftey mechanism and the vehicle was drivable on Feb 9th at the WBC.
Or from Massachusetts if indeed the Vasi hit and run is the factor in this case.
Is the theory that the red, white and silver layers of the paint chip found at the Vasi scene are consistent with the structure of the badge on a Saturn considered valid? Does anyone know if the badge on Maura’s Saturn is still intact or not?
I believe that her state of mind observed that morning indicated that she was experiencing major trauma and anxiety.
the photos posted above by James appear to show that the badge is intact.
I had a Saturn exactly like Maura, and there are also badges behind each front wheel from what I remember.
I am so confused as to Bill Rausch’s trial date? Is it going to happen or not?
I’ve always had a problem with the impact damage. On my first trip to the crash site I noticed no scar on a tree, which would have been visible at different heights as the tree grew. Was there again recently and those trees have been cut down. That’s a 90 degree left hander at that spot on 112, and all the snow banks would have had caused a different damage pattern. A recent release stated she was on her way to Loon. That’s the first time I’ve heard that proposed factual statement. The bones found there recently may well be hers, and I’m certain there is a lot of information known to police than is known to the public and perhaps even the family. As far as a tandem driver is concerned- I was always troubled by the alcohol purchase. Box wine and I believe mudslide ingredients. They are very different and distinct, and not things one would mix in an evening, suggesting another individual, however that person had to get home without a vehicle from what I consider to be a remote region. That’s hard to do without raising suspicion, even among friends, and people are all but powerless to keep secrets. I hope they’ve found her.