Murray Family Urges N.H. Division of Historical Resources to Approve Historical Marker after Destruction of Maura’s Blue Ribbon Tree
Haverhill, N.H. - Maura’s Blue Ribbon tree, which has served as a living memorial to her for seventeen years, has been cut down for reasons unknown. With no ashes to scatter or grave to visit, the Blue Ribbon tree has served as a sacred place to honor and remember Maura for the Murray Family and for the thousands of visitors who pay tribute to her each year at this location where she was last seen alive before disappearing without a trace on February 9, 2004.
“This cruel act has strengthened my family’s resolve to fight for answers until we find Maura and hold accountable those responsible for her disappearance,” said Julie Murray, Maura’s sister. “With the destruction of the Blue Ribbon tree we urge Mr. Ben Wilson, Director of the N.H. Division of Historical Resources, to swiftly approve Maura’s historical marker request recognizing the historical significance of Maura’s disappearance at the location she was last seen on Rt. 112, Haverhill, N.H. in 2004.”
Since submitting the request on October 16, 2020, over 400 emails and phone calls have been made to the N.H. Division of Historical Resources in support of the marker. The request has garnered widespread media attention and includes letters of support from former N.H. Speaker of the House Shurtleff, N.H. State Rep. DeSimone, the Murray Family, Dr. Robert McDonald [Professor of History, USMA], and petitions with 3,367 signatures from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and forty-two different countries.
In partnership with N.H. residents, the Murray family launched Maura’s #BlueRibbon Campaign in 2020 to support the historical marker request. Individuals can learn more about the campaign and voice support for the historical marker at www.mauramurraymissing.org/blueribbon.
