NBC Profiles ''Case of Missing Atheist''; Report Filed
with Police?
Last evening, the NBC Nighly News featured a brief profile of "the
case of the missing Atheist," which focused on the disappearance of
American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O'Hair and her family -- son Jon
Garth Murray and her adopted daughter, Robin Murray O'Hair. While the segment
presented nothing new in terms of clear indications of why the O'Hair family
is missing, or where they might be, there was speculation from a long-time
member of the organization, Arnold Via. Mr. Via mused that the Murray O'Hairs
could be victims of foul play at the hands of the Vatican, or perhaps the
U.S. Government.
Today, the Director at American Atheist offices in Austin, Texas -- Spike
Tyson -- told aanews that there was nothing to indicate foul play. "We
didn't find anything unusual here, no overturned furniture, no blood, no
signs of violence, no bodies."
Tyson also revealed that he has been contacted by officers of the Austin
Police Department, who told him that William Murray, another son of Mrs.
O'Hair, has now apparently filed a missing person report on the family.
Murray has told reporters that he has not talked to his mother in nearly
twenty years, and today is an evangelist who heads a political action committee
which lobbies for school prayer and other causes. As a youth, William Murray
was a co-plaintiff in the famous U.S. Supreme Court suit MURRAY v.
CURLETT which was instrumental in ending prayer and bible recitation in
public schools. That case, decided in 1963, led to the founding of American
Atheists, and quickly resulted in Madalyn Murray (later Madalyn Murray
O'Hair) being labeled "the most hated woman in America" for her
defense of Atheist rights and state-church separation.
Mr. Tyson said that he had no idea of why William Murray waited until this
time to file a missing person report: he did note, though, that September
28 was the one-year anniversary of the last time that anyone connected
with the American Atheist leadership apparently had contact with the family
members via telephone. "After that, we just lost touch. They said
they were heading back to the GHQ, and we haven't heard from them since."
Tyson informed us that he is scheduled to be interviewed by police on Thursday.
As for the whereabouts of the family, and an explanation for the disappearance,
Tyson said he was not aware of any new substantive information in the case.
"Dark Skies," anyone?