Well, at least you're willing to think about other possibilities, instead of just believing that Mark killed him because the majority believes it.
There is also the possibility that he was outside, on or near the road, and some perv came along and offered him a ride. Forget the preconceived ideas that "he wouldn't thumb a ride" and all that... we don't know what any kid that age might do, not even our own kids.
Just keep an open mind... that's what all of us should do.
ITA - we should ALL keep an open mind.
bbm - Also I need to say, I don't think it's accurate that everyone here who believes MR is involved believes so because "that's what the majority believes". AKA "bangwagon", groupthink, lynch mob, and similar terms (not your words, but they've all been used). From what I've observed, most folks who post on this thread are intelligent, thoughtful, and formulate their own thoughts and aren't basing their opinion on what's popular.
I don't think most people are looking at MR because it's "easy" or obvious" but it's a realistic unavoidable option that needs to be examined, IMO.
With that said, I do try looking at different alteratives.
I think we have to remember we're on thread 19 and have been at this for a while. We haven't been on MR the entire time, even if it feels that way to some. There were other avenues explored and researched but eventually those discussions all fizzled out.
However, let's take the example that you mentioned of a pervy stranger abduction. Completely worth looking at. This was either perpetrated by someone known to Dylan or a stranger.
If he was picked up by a stranger, here are a few questions...
--If this was the scenario, we're looking at a crime between 7:30- 11:30. WHY is that not the focus LOUD AND CLEAR? Why is LE not coming out asking for witnesses, footage, accounts of missing family/friends/associates during this time, and/or strange behavior after this time? Why not make it clear that the previous night is a non-issue? CLEAR MR and turn ALL ATTENTION to those 4 hours.
--Did Dylan get into the vehicle willingly? Or was it forceful? I'm guessing willingly.
--Dylan could only have walked so far. If he left on foot around 8am, how far could he have walked, were there any potential witnesses on the road that Monday morning? Did the dogs trace the route he would've walked if he were headed towards his friend's?
-- If this was a stranger abduction, was it a local in Bayfield/Vallecito/Durango -- Colorado -- out of state? Does LE have any idea? If they have reason to believe he's local, would they conduct the investigation different .... would they be warning the community that there's a predator at large? Would they be communicating more, asking for more help, being more active than passive, more canvassing? If they believe it was a stranger abduction but don't believe he's still local -- wouldn't they change the approach and rely more on the general public using the national media to show Dylan's face, putting every resource into the case?
I'm not sure of the right questions to ask or the exact answers, but I'm looking at different scenarios until Dylan is found, even though I have personal suspicions at times. I understand that some folks refuse to look at any potential involvement on MR's part, so it does make a full open discussion more difficult but hopefully we all can just agree to disagree and ignore what we don't appreciate.
Either way, something's gotta give.
