I wondered this, as well. I think someone could’ve easily seen the brand new RV from the road, stopped to check it out and, seeing that no one was around, decided to help themselves. BT, returning to the RV ahead of RT, may not have thought another car parked near by was suspicious. If she surprised someone as she approached or entered the RV, I believe she could’ve been subdued fairly quickly with little noise or sign of struggle given her size.
Along those same lines of BT not finding another vehicle suspicious, BT may have been approached by someone as she returned to the RV (on the pretense of needing directions, asking about the trails, etc.) and was then able to subdue her. If someone is caught of guard- say midway through giving directions or similar- I believe they could be rendered unconscious with barely any noise at all and abducted with very little sign of struggle.
Not sure what to make of this. Not sure I believe yet that she was ever there in the first place.
Also still think she could have fallen or become stuck and was somehow missed by SAR (it does happen, though not often).
I think it unlikely that it was an animal attack, but don’t think it should be completely discounted. I’ve seen two mountain lions in my life and both were during the daytime. I do, however, think there’d be some sign, the beer or her hat, if this were the case.
I hope (and tend to think) LE knows more than they are letting on.
Hoping for the best.
