THROUGH A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH THE GIRL'S PARENTS, NEIGHBORS, ROOMMATES, OTHER COLLEGE STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS, AND POLICE INVESTIGATORS IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE TOWN, THE COMMENTATOR PULLS TOGETHER THE STORY OF LINDA VELZY'S DISAPPEARANCE AND DEATH. THE INTERVIEW RESPONSES ALSO PRESENT A PICTURE OF THE COMPLACENT ATTITUDES AMONG STUDENTS IN THE TOWN TOWARD HITCHHIKING EVEN IN VIEW OF THE VELZY GIRL'S DISAPPEARANCE. COLLEGE ADMINISTRATORS AND POLICE ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT HITCHHIKING AND SUBSEQUENT KIDNAPING AND MURDER ARE BIG PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTY FOR TWO UNIVERSITIES. THE CASE STUDY COVERS THE INITIAL MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATION INVOLVING POLICE INTERVIEWS WITH RESIDENTS AND ACQUAINTANCES OF THE VICTIM, AS WELL AS THE LATER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, INCLUDING GROUND AND HELICOPTER SEARCHES, SEARCHES USING POLICE TRACKING DOGS, AND PUBLICATIONS OF APPEALS FOR INFORMATIONS ON THE CASE OR ON UNREPORTED RAPE INCIDENTS. (DAG)