I don't believe it was a serial killer; going 50 miles into a national forest to find a victim seems like a bit too much trouble. Squatters are shooed off during the camping season by the proprietors of Sierra Sunrise Camp. What I don't understand is why the government is actually breaking the law by denying David Paulides or anyone else Stacy's files under FOIA. Paulides says that after trying twice, he would now have to sue in court and he doesn't have the money for it. ******** anyone? I don't know if Agent Yu is denying him because of security reasons or if he's just messing with him for the warped fun of it.
Going hovewer many miles to find anything is a lot of trouble, and kinda ridiculous mission if you don't know the surroundings well. Serial killers do their serial killings where they feel confident and comfortable, squatters rarely feel really comfortable wherever they squat.
I mean... not necessarily someone who worked or lived there at least half of their life, but with serial killer theory I would think more about someone who frequents wilderness a lot, and was there at least few times before, very observant, well adjusted to outdooors and wild areas... or someone who targeted and followed her before she got separated.
I wouldn't bet much on old man being very observant, at least few moments after you sit to take rest, while you were not expected to became so tired or unwell to do so, you are more focused on catching breath and calming yourself down. He wasn't on high alert, becasue why would he be? They just had a hiking trip, they werent trapped in Vietnamese jungle controlled by Vietcong during war time. He might not even remember when he actually followed her walking and when he got distracted by birds, trees or whatever.
As for the reasoning behind their refusal it made me curious, because I don't know - is there a way for LE or NPS to easily let a person know that they can't or are strongly discouraged to share somebody's files because of some security reasons that person, who's asking for these files is unaware of without really making them aware of it, to not compromise security?
If not, maybe that's their protocol - to rely on all the obstacles anyone has to go through to get these files, counting on that they won't have enough patience or money to finish it?
I watched David Paulides videos and it left me with three possibilities:
1. NPS obnoxiously covers for serial killer
2. Someone there is unqualified, unadjusted and dumb
3. Releasing Stacy's files may compromise security with way and reason impossible for me to have grasp on
First is I would say rather insane, and third I found most likely.
Second option just don't get.
If they are not actively investigating Stacy's disappearance than other people looking at it won't bring any harm to the case.
And even if they see Paulides as conspiracy theory, big foot, ufo and whatever kind of freak... how on Earth that kind of publicity would harm National Park interest? Only thing that that might do is... increase people interest in visiting the park!
Serial killer on the loose out there - hell yeah that might scare people off and make them rethink their plans of exploring beauty of National Parks.
But big foot, ufo and other supernatural stuff? Most people don't care and won't care about these kind of news, they would disregard those and it will have zero effect on their willingness to visit National Park. Those who care about it and believe in it, are curious about it or simply like the idea of it possibly being true would be hella more interested in visiting such places so... what's in there that might be problematic for NPS?