Well, of course the pastor doesn't think religion has anything to do with it! What else is he going to say? And I agree that he's getting too involved in this whole thing, seems like it could be a way for him to promote his church ... why else would he keep talking to the media?
I don't know what to think about the pastor's involvement in this. Did he approach the media or did the media approach him? Is he speaking to try and prevent rumors from starting and spreading? I think it would be hard for someone to convert to this religion if you hadn't had any past experience in a similar faith. Women are expected to be subservient, not cut their hair and not wear pants or jewelry. Speaking in tongues would be something that might freak a lot of people out. Whatever faith a person chooses, if it helps them and doesn't cause harm to them or others, then I have no problem with it.
I imagine some churches of this faith as well as other faiths are more lenient than others. I see in the one photo of the mother it appears she may have a ring on and a bracelet or watch. If she wore a watch I wonder if she had it on that day and if it quit working from being in the water. If so, that could be one clue that could help to narrow down TOD.
As for the father - again, of course he doesn't believe his wife could do that. I don't think anyone in this sitation would say, "Yeah, I saw that coming." It seems the police have ruled him out - should have been easy to confirm whether he was at work that day.
I agree but am not certain LE has ruled him out.
I just can't think of any other plausible scenario than murder/suicide, unfortunately (assuming that the father is cleared). If this family was attacked by someone, I think it's highly likely that A) They would have more injuries instead of just drowning, and/or B) at least one of them would have gotten away, screamed, or caused enough commotion that someone nearby would have noticed. This was in broad daylight, and this isn't a remote area! Really sad situation.
I agree. People always find it odd when a child is abducted from a location that is high traffic. It only takes seconds to abduct a child though. Killing this family in a public park and the extra time it would take to undress them would be pretty risky with so many homes nearby.
IF the crime was staged this is one bizarre scenario I can think of:
Some one did this in the home, or the family was picked up by someone or they walked to someones house. Something related to religion could have been a lure by a perp. The family is offered a drink and drugged. The children are then transported and dumped in the river while still sedated but alive. They drown. Since the mothers COD hasn't been released then it's hard to comment on how she died but I can't think of anything that wouldn't leave signs of trauma, other than being drugged/poisoned and/or smothered/drowned.
The perp would then have to transport them to the location and stage the scene with the clothing without being seen. While this would not be impossible, the odds are less likely compared to a murder/suicide.
