I assumed everyone has been assuming this was the motive as soon as we got the info we did on the suspect and AM's aunt saying they didn't know him. IMO, RAT is a serial sexual predator. I guess I've been on WS too long and followed so many cases like this that I assume everyone assumes that's what has happened when a girl is taken by a guy who is linked to other abductions or it was a stranger who steals a girl. Why else would a guy steal a girl or woman that he doesn't know or barely knows? Kidnappings for ransom are extremely rare and neither Samantha Clarke or Alexis come from the Hearst family or other super-wealthy family.
My guess, unfortunately, is that poor Alexis was abducted, raped, killed, and then he hid her body....within a matter of hours. That's how most of these attacks by serial sexual predators or strangers seem to go down from my time on WS.
I think we shouldn't shy away from or feel bad about suggesting this. Yes, it's terrible for the victims and their families, but if we never talk about it and pretend it rarely happens, we do a disservice to everyone by not making them aware of what can happen. Never let a perp take you to a second location. Do whatever you can to not go with them. They likely aren't going to just rob you. They aren't going to keep you for ransom unless maybe you're a Hilton or a Hearst or from some other wealthy family. They aren't just going to give you a ride. They likely won't even keep you alive for an extended period of time (like Jaycee Duggard & the 3 women rescued in Cleveland). If a serial sexual predator (which any stranger or acquaintance could be) takes you, odds are you'll be raped and dead within hours, so you have to do all you can to not be taken to a second location by them. Pretending like that's not the case leads to us not being vigilant enough, IMO. Hope that makes sense.