Human Bones Found In Lincoln Centuries Old, Not Maura Murray

CONCORD, NH — During the past two months, New Hampshire State Police investigators, along with a number of other agencies, have been investigating bone fragments found in the area of Loon Mountain in Lincoln, that were unearthed during a construction project.

Online, a number of people and media outlets, including crime bloggers, have speculated the bones might be Maura Murray, 21, a University of Massachusetts student who has been missing since her car crashed in Haverhill in February 2004 — despite the fragments being found miles from where she was last seen and miles from the location some speculate she was heading to on that evening, the UMass Outing Club in Bethlehem.

On Wednesday, state police reported more information about the bones. First, according to Lt. Gary Prince of Troop F, the bones “do not appear to have been recently transported to the site where they were located.” They were, he added, found in the existing soil.

Radiocarbon dating put the date range of the person dying to be 95.4 percent probable between 1774 and 1942. There is a 68.2 percent probability that the person died between 1718 and 1893.

Investigators also believe, due to the small number of fragments found, the person may have been a woman or a small-statured man.

“Based on the results of the investigation and the testing, the bone fragments do not appear to be related to any open missing person case or recent criminal activity,” Prince said. “Instead, the bones are likely historical in nature.”

There was no apparent trauma indicated on the fragments, he said. Unless new information becomes available or is developed in the case, no further comment is expected by state police.

Julie Murray, in a statement on the Maura Murray Missing website, said she was disappointed the remains were not connected to the case.

“I urge the N.H.S.P. to work tirelessly until the remains can be identified, so that peace may be given to their loved ones,” she said. “My family will continue to search for Maura and will leave no stone unturned until we bring her home and hold accountable those who are responsible for her disappearance.”

For more information about the Murray case, visit the Maura Murray Missing website, linked here.

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