If she is being evasive about who is involved because she was threatened, regardless whether she knows them or not, then I have to believe she would be extremely careful for many, many years to come. Because Mountain Gate is so rural, and not a place one "just happens upon", I would guess that she was targeted. At the very least, they know where to find her again ... if it was gang related, it's dangerous for her entire family, especially if arrests are made. I think I would move, and never feel safe jogging there again. As for her injuries, it sounds personally motivated, but this situation is so convoluted it's hard to clearly discern much. Letting her go on Thanksgiving seems like they were offering a gift or doing her a favor, which seems in direct opposition to throwing her from the vehicle (akin to throwing the trash out). And to release her the day after the ransom offer expired ... either they didn't watch the news / know about any ransom, or they weren't motivated by money, or they were paid and let her go the next day. The usual motivation for an abduction (kept in captivity for sexual purposes, often killed outright) seems to be missing here, but her injuries do suggest they were going to kill her. The gradiation of the bruising possibly suggests an ongoing, escalating violence, as one would expect in a ransom situation as they want more ... and more.
- The family immediately suspected abduction vs. much more common suicide or voluntary missing.
- They knew within a week that she was "out of the area".
- Keith said she was "screaming for him".
- Ransom negotiator was brought in very quickly.
- Kids were told she would be home by Thanksgiving.
So ... THIS SOUNDS PERSONAL.
IMO