The House Across The Lake

A Cold Case No More

Found Newspaper Article Titled: Controversial Demolition of old Murphy House delayed after finding items belonging to cold case victim Lucy Gardner.

On Tuesday, November 3rd, 2015, Plans to tear down depreciated Murphy House was delayed as new evidence reopens the cold-case of missing student Lucy Gardner.

Lucy Gardner was last seen around 11 p.m. on October 31st, 2009 on the campus of Sherman Lakeside College. Roommate Evan Christianson reports last spotting her dancing at the annual Halloween dorm bash. A report was filed two weeks later after twin brother, William Gardener called police concerned that he had not received any communication from his sister since the week of October 31st. Professors confirmed that Lucy had been absent from class since the day of the alleged disappearance which, quote, "was odd for a girl like her, but then, we don't typically question those kinds of things." Evan made no comment upon interrogations into Lucy's long absence from her dorm room. Due to the extensive time gap between Lucy's disappearance and the filed police report, authorities were pessimistic about successfully locating the college student. After several weeks, Chief Investigator Samuel Timmerman pulled efforts to find Lucy; officially declaring the disappearance, a cold case.

Ten years later, the infamous house across the lakeshore of Lucy's attended college (known as "The Murphy House") was scheduled for demolition on October 15th. However, demolition plans were delayed after an untraceable protester filed a complaint claiming "The Murphy House" held historical significance. Once the complaint was denied by local judge Tony Fletcher, plans to tear down the home ensued and the final demolition date was amended to November 4th.

The day prior, Demolition Technician, Keith Colt called police after final inspection of the interior led to the discovery of suspicious activity on property grounds. Colt reported hearing unidentified footsteps from the upper floor, furniture shifting in the corner of his eyes, and whispering voices. "One of which sounded like an anguished plea" as quoted from Colt himself.

"Colt's a regular attendee of the looney bin down another town, He's deemed an unreliable source and much of his bantering will be disregarded." Replied a local officer who responded to Colt's initial call. Upon investigation, authorities did not find any signs of Colt's claims, however, evidence pertaining to the cold case of missing person Lucy Gardner was discovered on the site. After questioning, the sheriff who helped investigate Lucy's disappearance ten years prior reported authorities had investigated the Murphy House when the case first transpired; it was one of the few landmarks within a twenty-mile radius of the rather secluded college. They found no trace of Lucy past the college campus. The newly discovered evidence continues to confound investigators as their condition shows little sign of wear, including natural degradation. Lucy's wallet, a cat-ear headband, and a copy of "The Bell Jar were found under the rusted box spring. Furthermore, a letter addressed to William Gardner was found scrawled within the blank pages inhabiting the front and back of the edition.

Unfortunately, a year after the initial investigation closed, William was institutionalized for major depression and hysteria. 

He committed suicide last year, near the anniversary of his sister's disappearance.

As pertaining to the victim, no evidence of bodily remains was found.

The discovery has baffled authorities and the investigation immediately reopened. The family of Lucy has been notified. Investigators request if anybody has information regarding the ten-year-old case, to contact the number 413-247-8906. Updates will be made accordingly. 

Lucy's Note, Found on the blank pages of a copy of "The Bell Jar"

Dear Will,

I told you.

Books can always come in handy when you need them. Ha...Sorry, I really don't know exactly how to describe all that has happened or how to begin. The entire ordeal has been truly insane. Maybe I am the one who is insane. Oh, I just don't know anymore. Please, please Will, if you somehow find this, or if something happens to me, tell Mom and Dad I love them. Will, you were always my best friend and... Just hang in there for me, won't you?

I miss you, I miss home.

You were always the optimistic one, always (slightly) aggravating me with your ability to transform any misfortune into something beneficial. How it used to annoy me when we were growing up, I almost laugh about it now that I cling to those memories. All of those times you told me to stop being a "Debbie Downer" to try "looking at the brighter side of the moon," I never thought your words echoing in my ears would bring such comfort; in some way transforming into a form of survival. I've not kept it a secret how difficult adjusting to college life has been. I felt so distant from you and the rest of the family. Surrounded by strangers with only a photograph to ground me with some sense of familiarity. The photograph was of us at the beach, right after graduation, it was our last "hurrah" before I was to go off to college and you were to start your job at that advertising company I can never remember the name of. Naturally, in the picture, you were splashing in the waves while I was in the background, reading a book under that old umbrella with the clown colored bloom. Do you remember that day? How you picked me up, and threw me in the water, forcing me to swim. I was so mad at you; well, I pretended to be at least. How I wish we could relive that day on the beach. Although, even now, even the little bit of normalcy that accompanies college life feels like a distant dream. I wish with every atom in my body I could return to it, even if it is an unattainable desire. 

(to be continued)