She Claimed She Had Been Kidnapped. Authorities Say She Took Her Own Life.

Rita Maze had business to tend to in Helena, Montana, on September 6, 2006. She left her home in Great Falls early in the day, telling family she’d return home in a few hours. It would be the last time loved ones saw her alive. Rita’s death sparked a mystery with answers she took with her to the grave.

Described by family as “fun-loving and goofy,” Rita was the 47-year-old mother of two adult kids. Her son, Michael, was a Marine who resided in Germany with his wife and two kids. Her daughter, Rochelle, lived at home. Rochelle had a beautiful wedding planned for June 2007, nine short months away.

Rita had spent several years working in the cafeteria at a local elementary school. She was one of the kids’ favorites. They called her the "Lunch Lady". Family said she always wore a smile on her face.

A Strange Call From Rita

Rita had not returned home from Helena by the late evening. Calls to her phone went unanswered. Around 10:30 p.m., the Maze family’s telephone rang. Rita's husband heard his wife's voice on the other end of the phone. She welped as she told him that a man had kidnapped her from a rest stop between Great Falls and Helena.

Her labored breathing and the chaos in her voice made words difficult to understand at times. She told her husband that a “massive” man had approached her, struck her in the head, and she woke up in a trunk. She wasn’t sure if he had put her in the trunk of her Pontiac Grand Prix or another vehicle. Her biggest fear was knowing the abductor had access to a 9mm handgun she kept in her purse.

She had been in the trunk “for hours”, Rita claimed, and could not provide her husband with a location.

Rochelle called 9-1-1, reciting everything her mom told her dad.

Without warning, the call disconnected.

Rochelle and her dad called Rita back, but did not get an answer. That changed when a police officer called. Someone picked up, but said nothing.

Pop! 

Pop!

The sound of gunshots rang through the phone.

Then, silence. 

Complete silence.

A ping was placed on Rita’s phone, allowing authorities to track her location. Authorities learned that her debit cards were used at convenience stores in Kingston, Idaho, and Ritzville, Washington.  

Police found Rita dead in the trunk of her car near Spokane International Airport around 12:30 a.m. She had traveled around 350 miles from her home.

Rita’s Death Ruled a Suicide 

Investigators initially believed Rita’s abductor had shot her in the head. Later, the Medical Examiner determined she died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. The wound was consistent with a self-inflicted injury. Investigators ruled Rita's death a suicide and closed the case. Other evidence also led to this conclusion, including the stops at convenience stores. Police believed Rita was in control of herself and her actions.

Rita’s daughter refused to accept that her mother had committed suicide.  Rochelle told a news outlet after the incident:

“She did not hit herself, stuff herself in the trunk and drive all the way to Spokane and shoot herself,” Rochelle Maze said. “I believe they shot her and left the gun and keys in there to make it look like she killed herself.”

Thoughts

This story leaves so many questions unanswered. If Rita committed suicide, why fake her own kidnapping? People do strange things every day. Perhaps she wanted attention from someone, like friends or her family, but things got out of hand. 

Could the FBI be incorrect? Did someone abduct Rita and frame the crime to appear as if she took her own life? Family said everyone loved her and that said she had no enemies.

It's been 20 years since Rita's death. I cannot find updated information about the family, but I send my best wishes their way.