He did not report this sighting to the authorities right away, as he was confused about the dates. It was only three months later, while reviewing his work records, that he realized he had seen the young person on the same night that Murray went missing.

He did not immediately inform the authorities about this sighting due to his uncertainty regarding the dates. It was only three months later, while he was reviewing his work records, that he came to the realization that he had encountered the young individual on the same night that Murray disappeared.

The officer who responded, along with the bus driver, conducted a search of the area for Murray. 

Shortly before 8:00 pm, emergency medical services and a fire truck arrived to manage the situation. By 8:49 pm, the vehicle had been towed to a nearby garage. The responding officer departed around 9:30 pm. A rag, which is believed to have belonged to Murray's emergency roadside kit, was found lodged in the muffler pipe of the Saturn. Authorities would classify Murray as missing at 12 pm the following day, nearly 24 hours after her last confirmed sighting.