It seemed like Laurie had more going for her than the average person. Life should have been a joy for her. But something went very wrong. She was unable to make it big in the tricky music business. Her love life was complicated and didn't seem to be working out in a way she hoped it would. She began seeking something she really couldn't define. She kept reaching for something she was unable to grasp, not with her hands but with her heart.
It was in April 1977 that she said goodbye and went off on her journey, escaping the fears that began to surround her and interfere in her life. One month later, her abandoned Volkswagen Beetle was found near Matagami, Canada,
in Quebec Province, in what is considered the wilds of sub-arctic Canada.
Missing in Matagami is based on a true cold case.
It is a must read for armchair sleuths, investigators of every type, and professional law enforcement officers.
THE STORY
She was an intelligent, driven woman who finished college at Duke University in two and one-half years, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a double major in Russian and Spanish. She was also an accomplished musician and a gifted song writer, possessing a beautiful soprano voice that complimented her amazing talent. Her quest was to make it big in the entertainment business and she pursued those efforts in Austin, Texas and
in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Laurie Baier, a blonde haired, blue eyed beauty had everything going for her, including a supportive, loving family. Never reticent about a new adventure, and being one who made friends easily, Laurie enjoyed living life in cooperative housing with like souls who preferred a more hippie lifestyle.
Laurie cared about underprivileged children and tried making their lives more tolerable with her music. She was an advocate for the environment, very concerned about the expected proliferation of nuclear power plants being built in the 1970's.
REVIEWS
This is such an amazing story and I can’t believe it’s my family’s own. The facts and truths that John Whiteside included, based on many discussions with my sister Darcie and me about our family and our missing sister Laurie as well as so many other relatives and friends, make it such a spellbinding story and a deep reminder that so many young people go missing every year. Everyone should read this book, not just because it may provide some information about Laurie’s whereabouts and what may have happened to her, but because it’s such a compelling and important read written with so many facets and twists and tied together so beautifully, it’s worth every word. It’s truly a tale of a gripping unsolved mystery, and it brings a sense of closure to me and my family where there has been none for more than 40 years. Thank you John (Jack) for such an astounding story about an amazing person and a difficult, complicated time in our family and culture. Kristen B. Frasch
Amazon.com, November 2, 2022, Kristen F.
This is one book that I truly could not put down and it's a story that was well worth telling and is very much worth reading. I hope that it gets a wide readership!
Amazon.com, November 1, 2022, David E.
Tackling a cold case this old requires investigating expertise that most of us never have. But then along comes the author John Whiteside III and all the pieces are put together to paint a true but very disturbing mystery. This is one of those books that will totally consume you to the point you go back and jot down notes to try and solve the unsolved mystery yourself. My condolences to the family for their loss.
Amazon.com, November 3, 2022, Henry D.
Missing in Matagami is a real life look into the activities of trying to solve a long time missing person case. John Whiteside expertly explores the actions and possible thoughts of the victim and her family members. If you are looking for a true life mystery read, this is it.
Amazon.com, January 3, 2023, Fred S.
HELP FIND LAURIE BAIER
