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Missing in Matagami: Based on a True Cold Case
Laurie Baier was an intelligent, driven woman who finished Duke University in two and one-half years, graduating Magna Cum Laude. An accomplished musician and gifted song writer, her amazing soprano voice complimented her talent. Her quest was to make it big in the entertainment business. A blonde-haired, blue-eyed beauty, she had everything going for her. Never shy about a new adventure, she enjoyed life in co-op housing with like souls who preferred a hippie lifestyle. Life should have been a joy for her. But something went terribly wrong. She struggled in the music business and in her complicated love life. She kept reaching for something she was unable to grasp. not with her hands but with her heart. In April 1977 she said goodbye and took her journey, escaping the fears surrounding her. One month later her abandoned car was found near Matagami, in the wilds of sub-arctic Canada.
Last seen alive on a rural mining road standing by her Volkswagen beetle, subsequent searches for her by multiple law enforcement organizations were badly delayed by miscommunication and misinformation. Family members were left in the dark for almost six months of the fact that she had actually been observed in Quebec Province, Canada. By the time any concentrated investigation was conducted, Laurie had long since vanished.
What happened to Laurie Baier has left family, friends and law enforcement experts stymied to this day. Investigation has identified the possibility of some emotional turmoil in her life which may have played a part in her disappearance. That, coupled with revelations in the Canadian press that the RCMP has a dismal record in working missing person cases suggests the possibility that little effort has been put on her case. The fact that there are some 4,500 missing and murdered indigenous girls and women in Canada whose cases have never been solved leads one to question why.
Missing in Matagami will bring Laurie and her family to life and help the reader try to better understand her. All collected evidence and existing clues about what she may have done are provided to the reader as a true mystery to be solved. Laurie's family still clings to hope that one of the readers of this story may be able to provide some piece of valuable information that will lead to a glorious reunion with her at last!
Last seen alive on a rural mining road standing by her Volkswagen beetle, subsequent searches for her by multiple law enforcement organizations were badly delayed by miscommunication and misinformation. Family members were left in the dark for almost six months of the fact that she had actually been observed in Quebec Province, Canada. By the time any concentrated investigation was conducted, Laurie had long since vanished.
What happened to Laurie Baier has left family, friends and law enforcement experts stymied to this day. Investigation has identified the possibility of some emotional turmoil in her life which may have played a part in her disappearance. That, coupled with revelations in the Canadian press that the RCMP has a dismal record in working missing person cases suggests the possibility that little effort has been put on her case. The fact that there are some 4,500 missing and murdered indigenous girls and women in Canada whose cases have never been solved leads one to question why.
Missing in Matagami will bring Laurie and her family to life and help the reader try to better understand her. All collected evidence and existing clues about what she may have done are provided to the reader as a true mystery to be solved. Laurie's family still clings to hope that one of the readers of this story may be able to provide some piece of valuable information that will lead to a glorious reunion with her at last!
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 2, 2022
6 people want to read
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December 21, 2022
From 1976-1978, I worked for a small but prestigious law firm in Morehead City, NC, where I met Jeanne Baier, the firm’s (part-time) bookkeeper. At the time I was 24 years old, almost the same age as Laurie Baier when she disappeared. I clearly remember the stunning course of events that began unfolding in April 1977 when Jeanne informed us about Laurie missing, the last contact family and friends received from Laurie, the valiant efforts of Laurie’s friend who searched for her in Canada, and the dismay of what happened to this talented and much adored daughter and sister. Author Whiteside has set forth this haunting and compelling story in such a way, that my hope and prayer is Kris, Darcie, and Jeanne will learn definitively what happened to Laurie. My positive thoughts continue for the Baier family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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