This is my very first Websleuths post and it's from my phone so forgive the typos.
My theory is that this is a coming of age ritual for a religious sect. There have been "survivors" that have told the same story despite being from different geographical regions. In general, they got separated from their friends while out drinking, then a van with several men inside pulls up, asks the male to come with them and then they pursue the college male if he doesn't go willingly. I think it is possible a younger male or pubescent male that does the killing and the older men do the abducting. Could explain how they got into a bar or are able to drive. It could also explain why some males survive (if the boy going through his rite of passage wasn't strong enough or able to kill). Just my thoughts. Has anyone looked at whether each of the big "kill zones" have sister cities in common that would take on refugees coming from countries with unique religious sects (such as Romani -- not saying it is that particular cult/people).
The case interests me and scares me. I'm from the Great Lakes region and my brother currently lives in a college town in an off campus apartment. He's older than college age but fits the bill in the other regards. There have been several suspect cases near where we are from that make me question things. There was a man from Crown Point, IN that text his mother that he was on his way home. Then he was found submerged in his car several miles in the opposite direction from his house. And not to mention the numerous college aged males that have been pulled from Lake Michigan in Chicago.
If this was just a bunch of random college guys getting too drunk and walking into bodies of water, then why don't we see this happening in large scale in resort areas such as Cancun or others?
BBM, and also, using your post as a jumping off point to discuss my own thoughts.
We don't see this happening in the summer or hot weather areas because it's the cold water that kills - hypothermic shock makes you falling in much more deadly. And oceans are a gradual decline and usually don't get that deep right away, and are warm. You have to actually drown and unless you are blasted to the point of unconsciousness, that's a lot less likely without some unusual ocean circumstances like a rip tide. It's the combination of drinking, cold weather, cold water that leads to more deaths.
I'm not really a believer of this theory, BUT if someone was targeting young men to kill, dumping them in cold rivers/lakes are your best bet. Often it takes a lot longer for bodies to surface, potentially covering up any signs of foul play. In resort areas there are a lot more people around, partying all the time. More chance of discovery. Whereas in the winter, cold night, not too many people choose to walk home by themselves, creating isolated, vulnerable victims. Maybe even more likely to accept a ride from a stranger with a warm car.
On the other hand, women are much more likely NOT too walk home under these circumstances - late night, cold weather, potentially sketchy/isolated areas. They would get a ride from a trusted friend or walk in well-lighted city areas. Thus why it's men, not women. Men, young men, especially, I believe are at lot more likely to "man up" and either under-estimate or dismiss the cold and danger and level of their own intoxication. Guys don't think about their safety in the same way females do.
FYI, my boyfriend says as soon as he steps outside when it's really cold, he has a strong urge to urinate. Combine that with drinking, and it's a recipe for really having to go - wherever.
I'm not saying it's not possible, but it's just so far-fetched too me (perhaps a failure of imagination or naïveté on my part) - a nationwide serial-killer cult? I can buy that some of these are foul play for various motives or circumstances that can't be solved because too much time has passed and the COD is undetermined, but it's really hard to imagine a large collaborative collective and what the motive might be.
