Many posts here commented about the nature of the crimes against Mr&MrsD, an unusual pair of deaths, unusual even for Websleuthers and dyed-in-the-wool true crime followers.
Married couple in their late 80’s appearing to live low profile, gated suburban life seem unlikely targets of planned, violent deaths.
Both died of blunt force trauma to the head.
MrD was decapitated, head was removed from body left at their home.
MrsD’s remains were located several days (2 wks?) later in lake, ~ 5 miles from home.
Was the above, perp(s)’ Plan A, or did perp(s) plan other actions, but …. those plans went awry?
Perhaps perp(s) planned to ___ _ (?) and did not intend to kill either one, but *advertiser censored* happened, leading to both their deaths?
Perhaps perp(s) planned to kill MrD, to convince MrsD to ___(?) and to leave her alive?
Perhaps perp(s) intended to kill Mrs D, to convince MrD to ___(?) and to leave MrD alive?
Which sequence seems most likely?
Imo, depends on who perp(s) are and what Plan A was, and why perp(s) could not accomplish it.
Is it possible perp(s) made a mistake re the address of home to call upon?
Or a mistake re Mr&MrsD’s identity (perp was actually looking for a different MrD & MrsD)?
Or perhaps perp(s) planned these actions, but without much regard to Mr&Mrs D’s specific identities, e.g. just happened to pick quiet neighborhood & elderly couple who seemed physically vunerable, maybe as a ‘bonus’ likely to have property worth taking to sell or fence?