The Disappearance of William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane: A Nine-Year Mystery
In a turn of events that seems to be pulled straight from a crime drama script—only with less charisma and significantly more tragedy—Gardaí have resurfaced in north Co Dublin to search open lands for William Maughan and his partner, Anastasija Varslavane. You heard right! It’s been almost nine years since these two disappeared without a trace, sparking an investigation that has more twists and turns than a game of Twister played by octopuses.
Mr. Maughan’s parents, Helen and Joe, have been making the rounds at the search site, desperately appealing to the public for any scrap of information that could lead to the discovery of their son and his partner. I mean, after nine years, they probably know that “good morning” isn’t really the greeting you expect to be dishing out when looking for your adult child. “My thought is, I just hope today is going to be the day that they find William and Ana,” said Ms. Maughan, a sentiment that carries the weight of nine grueling years of uncertainty.
“Please pass on any information,” she added, “no matter how small.” If only finding their son and daughter-in-law were as simple as asking the neighbors if they’ve seen any suspicious gardening activities. You know, like the kind where you bury more than just old pet goldfish.
It’s been nearly a decade filled with unanswered questions, and as this ongoing saga unfolds, it turns out that gardaí believe the couple was “abducted, shot dead and their bodies concealed” by a gang that’s grown more infamous than your uncle’s fishing stories. This particular gang was led by Cornelius Price, a name that sounds less like a criminal overlord and more like a local butcher. Alas, Price is now deceased but certainly not forgotten in the annals of this puzzling case.
So, what happened on that fateful day in April 2015? It was an ordinary Tuesday morning when Mr. Maughan and Ms. Varslavane ran a few errands before preparing to move in with Mr. Maughan’s parents—a lovely little episode planned and executed with all the tension of your average family reunion, only to spiral into a mystery worthy of a Netflix series.
As Helen Maughan arrived at Gormanston, her instincts were sharper than any detective’s. She couldn’t locate her son and, in a moment that must have felt like the world pausing, began searching high and low only to find her fears materialize into a nightmare. The sudden disappearance raised red flags as bright as a double-decker bus. An investigation sprang into action, but as we all know, time is the enemy when it comes to clues.
The Gardaí have been steadfast, reminding the public that personal circumstances may have changed over the years—perhaps someone who once turned a blind eye is now burning with guilt. “Come forth!” they implore, “the spaghetti freeze might be over, and you just might be able to pasta the truth into our hands.”
If you’re sitting on a nugget of information—or indeed an entire gold mine—feel free to contact Ashbourne Garda station or the Garda Confidential Line. Your small piece of the puzzle might mean the world to a family desperately seeking closure.
As we reflect on this tragic case, it’s clear that some mysteries hang over us longer than the winter in Dublin, and the family remains in limbo, treading the waters of hope and despair. But please, let’s keep our eyes peeled out there; let’s bring some closure to a story that’s been haunting many for far too long. It’s time for answers… and maybe even more luck than what’s found on the back of cereal boxes.
The Gardaí have resumed their investigation into the mysterious disappearance and presumed murder of William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane, a couple last seen nearly nine years ago, focusing their efforts on open lands in north County Dublin.
This past weekend, Helen and Joe Maughan, the parents of William Maughan, visited the ongoing search site and made a heartfelt plea to the public, urging anyone with information that might assist in locating their missing son and his partner to step forward.
“My thought is, I just hope today is going to be the day that they find William and Ana, and please God they will be found,” Ms. Maughan expressed, her voice laden with emotion.
“It has been nine long years since April, and we know that circumstances change over time. I would like them to recognize the pain that my family is enduring. Any piece of information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, could mean the world to us and the police. Please, we are begging for your help to bring us closure.”
“If I get him back and I bury him, I can go to his grave and say, ‘Good morning, son’, or ‘Good night, son’, knowing he’s there. Before my time on this Earth ends, and my husband Joe’s, at least our family won’t have to endure this suffering. We will find peace.”
At the time of their disappearance, Mr. Varslavane was pregnant with the couple’s first child, adding another layer of heartbreak to this heart-wrenching case.
Investigators have theorized that the couple was abducted, murdered, and their bodies concealed by a crime gang based in County Louth. The gang’s leader, Cornelius Price, is now deceased. Reportedly, Price was concerned that Mr. Maughan was planning to inform the authorities about his involvement in the gun-related murder of Benny Whitehouse that occurred in 2014.
The couple had been living in a mobile home in Gormanston, County Meath, but were preparing to move in with William’s parents in Dublin, a significant transition in their lives.
Gardaí confirmed that on the morning of April 14, 2015, Mr. Maughan visited Balbriggan, followed by Ms. Varslavane shortly after. They ran errands and contacted Mr. Maughan’s mother to arrange for her to come from Tallaght to Gormanston to collect them and their belongings.
Mr. Maughan spoke with his mother around 2:30 PM, requesting her to pick them up at Gormanston. Soon after, the couple took a taxi from Balbriggan to their mobile home.
Helen Maughan arrived at the Gormanston site just before 3 PM, but she was unable to locate her son. After searching the area, including a trip to Stamullen, she returned to Gormanston and attempted to reach him via phone, only to find his phone went straight to voicemail.
An investigation was launched, which included extensive searches, and the case was escalated to a murder investigation following a review conducted in September 2016.
A spokesperson for the Gardaí stated that they are keeping the families informed throughout the investigation process. They have also issued an appeal, encouraging anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Mr. Maughan and Ms. Varslavane to contact them.
“Considering the time that has passed since their disappearance, individuals’ personal circumstances may have changed, and they might now feel able to share information with the Gardaí that they were previously unable to provide,” they conveyed.
For anyone with relevant information, the Gardaí request that they reach out to Ashbourne Garda station at 01 8010600, any local Garda station, or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111. – PA
What led to the disappearance of William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane in Gormanston?
, 2015, William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane were last seen running errands in the Gormanston area. Their sudden disappearance sent shockwaves through the community, igniting a flurry of police activity and public speculation. As the investigation unfolded, authorities encountered numerous complications, ultimately leading them to suspect a sinister plot orchestrated by a notorious crime gang in the region.
The gang’s operations have since gained infamy, becoming a point of intrigue for true crime enthusiasts and local residents alike. Their leader, Cornelius Price, while deceased, oversaw a network that allegedly engaged in violent and nefarious activities, including drug trafficking and extortion. Investigators believe that Price may have felt threatened by Maughan’s knowledge of a previous crime – the murder of Benny Whitehouse – leading him to take drastic measures to silence the couple permanently.
Despite the passage of time, the Maughan and Varslavane families continue to hold onto hope. Each year that passes without resolution only deepens their agony, urging them to seek answers. Helen Maughan’s emotional appeal highlights the pain endured by families affected by such traumatic events and the desperate need for closure. Her desire to have a place to visit her son’s grave encapsulates a universal longing for understanding and peace amidst uncertainty.
As the Gardaí ramp up their search efforts in the open lands of north County Dublin, they reiterate the importance of community involvement in solving this case. They urge anyone with information – no matter how insignificant it may seem – to come forward. The call for assistance is a reminder that sometimes, the key to resolving a mystery lies within the collective memory of a community that may have witnessed something crucial at the right moment.
This tragic case serves as a testament to the enduring nature of grief and the need for justice. As the investigation continues, both the authorities and the families remain hopeful that, with a little luck and the courage of those who know, the truth behind the disappearances of William Maughan and Anastasija Varslavane will finally be uncovered, bringing long-awaited closure to a haunting chapter in the community’s history.
