Thank you for your kind words about the maps!
I do agree that the perpetrator/s almost had to have known the neighbors’ schedule for that day.
One thing to keep in mind, IMO, is that looking at the map, it appears that MC’s shop may not easily be seen from the neighbors’ property due to his house obstructing the view.
View attachment 160163
Still, it’s still very likely that the “bad guy”(s) was gone by 3 pm: I tend to think that there was someone(s) lying in wait inside the garage when MC returned from Walmart, reportedly at noon. If there was more than one person, which I also believe there was, they probably were long gone by then.
You're right about the shop being more secluded from those neighbors. I, too, always thought the incident happened and they were gone well before 3 pm, and most likely soon after he returned from WalMart. I still stick to the timeline of perps and MC leaving the premises @2:30pm due to that dratted, yet valuable, phone data.
If a perp did pull off into the treed area on other side of the shop, you'd think they'd also be taking huge chances a passing vehicle or other neighbor might notice. Same as pulling into MC's driveway, but I usually don't pay too much attention to vehicles that enter our neighbors' driveways, so.... I also wonder how leafed out the trees there would be in March?
I still go back and forth as to whether or not I think someone was dropped off near the shop and got inside, waiting for MC to return home, or, did the perps ( I believe two, as well) show up after MC went into his shop. Could be either.
The husband of the couple is “retired after a career in law enforcement.” I don’t know about the wife. As you pointed out, they may not be “fully” retired, either.
Did This 70-Year-Old Grandfather Stage His Own Suicide, Or Was He Murdered?
I don’t know about the nature of their outing that day, either. Really, all I’ve seen is that:
“The neighbor who came home at 3 says they were outside for the rest of the day doing yard work and such.”
TX - TX - Michael Chambers, 70, Hunt County, 10 March 2017 #1
And per one of our VI’s, “it's been said <modsnip> publicly, so I guess I can disclose here as well - it was John's [older son] in-laws who live next door who came to help.”
TX - TX - Michael Chambers, 70, Hunt County, 10 March 2017 #4