IMHO, I think it is more common than one may think, for people who live in a very low density area, and especially perhaps on a dead end street, to notice sounds of traffic. I dont' think anyone would just sit and stare out their windows, but I do think one gets used to the familiar noises heard from their homes. I live on a dead-end street, and I often think to myself (because I guess I'm weird) that it would be difficult to stalk someone living on a dead-end street because vehicles really need to have a reason for being here, and if they don't, they don't fit in, and they are noticed. I work from home.. alone.. in silence.. working away on my computer. I hear everything.. although I dont' see anything, unless I get up to look out the window, which I might if I heard something that seemed off.
Police made a point, IMHO, of mentioning that Mother was at the front window making her 'cuppa'.. Grandmother was sitting somewhere in the yard, according to reports. The sister was actually 'playing' a game of chasies, which is a two-person game, not a one person game, where you just let the one person run off by themselves.. without being 'chased'.. ?? So how could this intruder, from any angle, have happened upon this opportunity without being seen or heard by *any*one, even with the 3 family members right there at different perspectives?
Something else just occurred to me as I was thinking about hearing everything. I'll bet that living in this semi-rural area, many residents would have dogs. If someone was lurking about, in wait... or.. if someone was scurrying off, dragging a child over his shoulder, while covering the child's mouth.. surely a dog in the area, and likely many of them, would feel/hear/see that, and bark. One would think??
IMO if it was opportunistic it would of been someone looking at property for sale, delivery driver or a tourist on a Sunday Drive that just happened to be there at the right time when WT was possibly out the front of the house.
It was a Friday, resident's at work and who honestly looks out the Windows to watch every car that passes by. I live in a quiet street but I have no idea who has been and gone in my street....unless I'm directly out the front of my house