Murder by the Book: The Amy St. Laurent Case

Mother's Tears

On Tuesday morning, less than 48 hours after the woman vanished, police officials held a press conference to say that the disappearance was likely a crime. "This is not a typical missing person," said Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood. "All investigative leads lead to the fact that there is something criminal happening here."

Portland Police Chief Michael Chitwood

Her loved ones, standing beside the chief, added heart-rending testimonials about Amy. Her mother, Diane Jenkins, said she had begun to fear the worst when Amy failed to show up at work Monday—an unfathomable act by her ambitious daughter. "Something happened to this girl," Jenkins said, "She did not just walk away." "This literally is my worst nightmare," Jenkins added, "I cannot believe that I might never see her again." Two days later, the family held another press conference at which they again pleaded for Amy's safe return and offered a $35,000 reward.

Reward poster offers $35,000 for St. Laurent's safe return.

In the meantime, police had been further able to confirm Eric Rubright's seemingly unlikely account of the events that Saturday night. A security camera had captured him buying gas at 1:38 a.m., and police were able to locate the toll-taker who allowed him to pass about 15 minutes later. As it became more evident that Rubright was telling the truth, investigators began to sharpen their focus on Russ Gorman.