On December 14, 2005, when I was at the airport picking up my daughter to spend Christmas with me and her family, her body was found in the trunk of a burned car. She was brutally murdered by strangulation and her body burned beyond recognition. I think back to the conversations I had with her prior to those days. She was happy and excited about the new adventure of helping open the Ice Gear Clothing store. She emailed me Halloween pictures of herself and Kelly together looking very much like they were having fun. Not ongoing tensions. She called me around Thanksgiving and told me how she and Kelly were making desserts together. Not having ongoing tensions. If there were tensions, I was not made aware of that. And I did not state that.
On December 13, 2005, I spoke to Melissa and she told me that Craig purchased a hotel room for her on Monday night because he and Kelly were fighting and Kelly was flipping out. And she also said that Craig thought it would be a good idea that she fly home for the holdiays since there was fighting going on between him and Kelly. I did not know about a hotel room for two nights until much later. Melissa did not need a hotel room on Tuesday night as she was flying out of Las Vegas that night. Why it was rented another night - I do not know. I asked her when she was flying back to Vegas and she said on the 30th. That is not a conversation that she had moved out of the house. As a matter of fact, 3 bags of clothing were found recently in the house, that belonged to Melissa. If she had moved out of the house, she would have had all her belongings with her. As far as being kicked out of the house and dropped off at a convenience store, that was allegations made from other sources. Not me. There are a lot of rumors and gossip being reported but that's exactly what it is.
My daughter is gone. Every morning when I wake up - she is on my mind and is on my mind when I go to sleep. It's a struggle every day to just get out of bed. I shouldn't have to defend what I say or didn't say. I just want to grieve for my daughter. She was a beautiful person who loved life. No amount of rumors or gossip or facts can justify what was done to her. Nothing can bring her back. I have so many memories of her and the wonderful times we spent together. I miss her so very much.
I am sorry if there are some miscommunications. I'm sure Frank Curreri is a respectable reporter. I appreciate his sympathy for me and my family.
Maura James
Information on the Melissa James Fund
