While you're wiping off your chin, I agree that SFF harming the US isn't going to happen solely by JBR's murder.
What about all the possible ramifications for a SFF having come all the way to Boulder, Colorado to do that for reasons we don't understand. Yet. A clue would be the ransom amount. Its not unlike Dr. Evil asking for one 'million' dollars. The only reason Dr. Evil asked for any amount was to be rhetorical. Dr. Evil already decided to be evil and being evil was what he wanted more than money.
Now, with evil in mind, reread the ransom note. Esp. the part about beheading a child. Now, have another look at those autopsy photos. Pretty evil stuff, eh? Maybe sit down with your cup of coffee and think about the ransom amount.
It was wrong, huh.
Its when the R's are exhonerated by new DNA technology, and the BPD is throwing their hands up that maybe, well maybe we can ponder just about any scenario.
What if ____________________ did this because ___________________________________?
Sure, we can ponder any scenario. What about space aliens from the planet Zork? Could have been?
I prefer to ponder what is probable.
Dr. Evil asked for "One Million Dollars" because it was funny. $118K is not funny, nor is it rhetorical. Even if a SSF (improbably) targeted a 6 year old girl for the purpose of doing "evil", there still has to be a reason to settle on the 118k figure.