FWIW: What popped into my mind when I read the part of the story about the Father's Day get-together and Stephen following his granddad back to the farm was: Oh, that independent old fellow drives himself around but family members take turns following him on the longer trips to make sure he gets where he's going OK!
I can see where the suspicion that it was a "scouting trip" for SM would come in, if you are of the mind that he is guilty and that the killing was premeditated. Personally, I'm more of the opinion that, if SM is guilty, Lauren's death was not premeditated, so that particular suspicion didn't pop to my thinking. His grandfather -- at least from anything quoted in the story -- didn't appear to think it odd that Stephen followed him home, though it is mentioned that he "didn't stay long".
I do understand the wondering whether, if SM is guilty, he might have taken some of Lauren's remains to the property. I wonder that as well -- although in many ways I surely hope not.
People can make anything fit if they want to, but I wholeheartedly agree with your post, I thought the SAME EXACT thing when he followed his grandpa home, "someone to follow him home to make sure he gets there saftely, and then SM spent a few minutes with him before heading back to Macon. How rude just to leave - if you want to look at it THAT way
After reading the articles about SM's musings in regards to how he'd handle himself if ever caught/suspected in a murder, is just flabbergasting. This part makes me wonder if it was more to his "VISIT" with grandpa to look for a location for the remains.
It would indeed appear then to be premeditated by SM, (if he's guilty)as crossed my mind too and if he was possibly searching for a place to dispose of body.
Strangely so, it was only 5 days after this she went missing, Did he SNAP? Was it premeditated, was it that his perfect target for his game was leaving or was it that his love was leaving?
What would have triggered a "heat of the moment" type situation?
ALso, does anyone know if LE or FBI HAVE searched the property of grandfather? Surely media would have been all over that. MY GOSH, there are trillions of locations to hide bodies, where no one ever walks. How would he have gone so far? How soon did he get rid of the smaller parts? Before school on Tuesday? I'm still stunned that it could even be him. I know the circumstances unveiled to date certainly give the appearance of guilt.
Saturday evening someone Surprises her, leave no traces of chloroform, no fingerprints, no DNA, no blood, no tools (except the hacksaw in the maint closet, doubt created), no bleach bottles?, no blood on tubs/sinks/floor/carpet/outside/toilet/wall/no plastic found/any ponchos? (that he supposedly purchased), if so there'd be blood on those if used for protection and cover/so when did he have time to travel anywhere except to a neighboring trashbin to dispose of anything or to the river up the street, where nothing was discovered but means nothing, that river has a steady current if you get past the sandbars that have been around lately, I suppose parts sink or flow on down river for as long as they dont get caught on something or eventually settle
Flabbergasted still!