A Neighbor Saw Someone Running

Police began knocking on doors.

Across the street, 68-year-old Linda Murray had been awake watching television.

At approximately 11:15, she heard what sounded like furniture being knocked over.

Then a woman shouted.

Linda looked through her front window.

She saw someone run out of Natalie’s backyard.

“Man or woman?”

“I couldn’t tell.”

“What were they wearing?”

“Dark clothes.”

“Did you see Natalie?”

Linda hesitated.

“Yes.”

Police became alert.

“Where?”

“In the backyard.”

“What was she doing?”

Linda answered:

“She was running after them.”

That changed everything.

Natalie May Not Have Been Fleeing

Police had assumed Natalie was being chased.

But Linda’s account suggested the opposite.

Natalie had come out of her own house.

Then followed the unknown person.

Linda said Natalie appeared angry.

Not helpless.

Not confused.

She shouted something.

Linda couldn’t hear the exact words.

Then both figures disappeared behind a row of trees.