I find I havent the time to get bogged down in arguments that really go nowhere, and constantly need to check sources. I've had to take a little time off for some research and to do some work. I've got the time only for one thread and then probably not enough time for long discussions, so I'm sticking to this one at present.
However, (phew), I've been thinking that if there's one thing that's caused both RDI and IDI problems it's the Ransom Note.
RDI (I believe), generally says PR wrote the note and that by necessity it was written AFTER she, JR or BR murdered/accidentally killed her 6yo daughter. This was done in order to deflect blame onto 'someone else'. However, it is not proven that she did or did not write the note, and if she did, then why not a shorter note and why all the references to SFF and beheading etc?
IDI (I believe), generally think it was written BEFORE she was killed, when someone entered the house while the family was at the Whites. Whether it was intended to be a kidnapping that went wrong, or whether the kidnapping threat was a ruse, is a matter for conjecture. Was there really a SFF or not, why say behead and strangle, deny remains and leave the body in the house, in fact why threaten kidnapping and kill instead, etc, etc.
Either way RDI or IDI, the RN is a source of vexation.
SOooooo, let's just suppose a hypothetical for a moment? What if the RN was never written/found? What would have happened? There was no reference to the $118k, no threat to kill JBR if the cops/FBI was involved, no SFF (sorry HOTYH!), no wondering if PR or IDI was the author.
For me, IDI, I suppose they would still have woken at ~ 6.00am, JR in the shower, PR putting on makeup and the same clothes she had on the previous night, getting a few things together for the journey. PR goes down the spiral staircase to the kitchen and starts to prepare breakfast. JR (fully clothed LOL) joins her and helps get organised, PR goes upstairs to wake the kids. BR first?? Ok, BR first, then to JBR's room. Gone!! Where is she?? Bathroom - no. Upstairs - no. Kitchen - no. PR to BR, where's JBR? Don't know. PR to JR, JBR's not in her bed. JR - well she's probably gone ......where?? Next door to see Jacques? To her friend's place? Riding her new bicycle?
What do they do now?? Look around the neighbourhood, knock of everyone's door? Phone their friends and check if she's with their children? Then what??
Search the house in case she's hiding. JR finds her in the wine cellar dead. PR calls the ambulance/cops.
How would this have changed how the investigation unfolded?
How would this have affected where we are now 14 years on??
What does RDI think might have happened if the RN was never written?