I speculated that it was not actually someone from the SEC. The more I think about it, the more it seems unlikely.
To me, it all sounds extremely unethical and unlikely behaviour for an employee of a government corporation:
- call up a member of the public and question them about someone (in this case JS) who is none of that person's business. Therefore, essentially collecting gossip/hearsay,
- not tell them what the matter is about, why they want the information, what the information will be used for, what will be expected of them if the information is ever used.
- call up someone who's just reported his ex-wife as missing. Like, even if was legit, can't it wait for a better time?
- not leave it to the FBI to do the questioning, which is the job of the FBI.
I don't know who would have done it - maybe a very unethical journalist, maybe someone involved in her disappearance, maybe someone just trying to stir up trouble, maybe someone close to JS?
It all seems super weird, and I am trusting the police are investigating this phone call.