Happenings of December 26

[InstantProof]

double post

 

[midwest mama]

Chrishope;9555584 said:

It is contradictory, and so, as with the body in the basement we need to ask why they'd do something contradictory. The answer of course is that PR called 911, at that point there is no chance at all to keep the note private. It was not made public deliberately. It was left on the stairs for PR to find.

Yes. And it was expected she would comply with NOT calling the police and allowing JR to make a delivery of the ransom money.

I tend to think the Rs, like most of us, want to avoid prison, and would stage something believable, rather than rolling the dice on a nonsensical crime scene.

Yes, like NO kidnapping/RN - rather, position JB so it looks like she slipped and fell down the staircase, maybe even with her head laying against one of the stair rungs or posts. Call 911, say "I came downstairs, I think my daughter fell down the stairs - she's not breathing."

No, once the cops are called there will never be a chance to do anything with the body (except perhaps to relocate it within the basement) and the culprit(s) would have had to anticipate that.

IMO, the culprit(s) assumed the plan would play out just as the RN stated. The fact that other forensic material was put in with the body leads me to believe it was all put there to keep it hidden from sight during the type of canvassing of the house that PR said she did - check JR's room before screaming for JR's help. With PR convinced she had been kidnapped, she would have looked no further within the home - becoming distraught and probably trusting JR to take care of everything from that time forward.

The culprit(s) knew that the body would have to be removed from the house BEFORE police could be called, and EXPECTED that to be able to happen.

I believe the backup plan to that was to be able to immediately throw blame for her murder onto someone in the "inner circle" -"it has to be an inside job". And that the culprit(s) took some steps in creating "funny little clues" that would have helped point to a prime suspect in the inner circle. And sticking my neck out, I'll go so far as to say: right down to trying to use a recognizable handwriting pattern. Otherwise the RN could have been prepared using another technique.

Because there could have been no plan to dump the body after the 911 call. It had to be done prior to calling the police.

Yep, yep!

 

[Chrishope]

Chrishope,

So three RDI theories present inconsistencies. Why was it left for PR to find, who mandated that the success of the plan rested on PR finding the ransom note, why not BR or JR?[/quote]

Nothing hinged on PR being the one to find it. She and JR would likely rise before the children, to get ready for the trip. JR could have pretended to find it himself. For some reason he decided to let PR find it.

So JR tosses the RN on the stairs and goes back to bed, duh!

[/quote]

Pretty much.

If JR had executed that plan successfully he would have been designated immediately as the prime suspect.

He was anyway. He, along with PR, would have been prime suspects in any scenario. They are the parents, they had most access to JB.

 

[Chrishope]

Chrishope,
In all three variants of the RDI kidnapping theories, the R's failed to follow through, e.g. not dumped outdoors, not left in wine-cellar, i.e. discovered.

So either the theories are incorrect in part in their assumptions, or the R's made irrational decisions?

.

OR, the killer/stagger made rational decisions but couldn't control every act of non-involved family members. His plan may have been partially carried out, then foiled. That is the key insight of Doc's theory, that we are not looking at the scene as it was meant to be seen.

 

[Chrishope]

Chrishope;9555584 said:
Yes. And it was expected she would comply with NOT calling the police and allowing JR to make a delivery of the ransom money.

The first paragraph tells the reader JB will not be seen again if instructions are not followed to the letter. JR may have figured this was sufficient to keep PR reading. It wasn't, apparently. The second paragraph. was the instructions so it may have seemed logical to JR that PR would naturally go to the second paragraph.

Yes, like NO kidnapping/RN - rather, position JB so it looks like she slipped and fell down the staircase, maybe even with her head laying against one of the stair rungs or posts. Call 911, say "I came downstairs, I think my daughter fell down the stairs - she's not breathing."

This is one area where I give JR high marks. I think he knew he couldn't fool a coroner with a faked accident. He'd have to be an expert on what causes skull fractures, and he didn't even really know the full extent of the injury to the skull. (But if he is the one who hit her in the head, he knows for sure that he did some damage, even though it's not visible) I don't think faking an accident was an option - at least not a good one. I do agree this is what a lot of people would have done.

IMO, the culprit(s) assumed the plan would play out just as the RN stated.

To the extent we are talking about the Doc theory, I agree. Up until the 911 call, then a new plan had to be made, quickly.

The fact that other forensic material was put in with the body leads me to believe it was all put there to keep it hidden from sight during the type of canvassing of the house that PR said she did - check JR's room before screaming for JR's help.

I agree. It's not a staged scene for the police to see. The story it tells, if any, is I (we) killed her and threw the body along with as much evidence as we could gather into the WC. Not the story you want to tell the police.

With PR convinced she had been kidnapped, she would have looked no further within the home - becoming distraught and probably trusting JR to take care of everything from that time forward.

If they were making a sweep of the home JR could volunteer to check the basement while PR checked elsewhere. She'd have no reason to disbelieve JR when he said she's not in the basement.

The culprit(s) knew that the body would have to be removed from the house BEFORE police could be called, and EXPECTED that to be able to happen.

Agreed.

I believe the backup plan to that was to be able to immediately throw blame for her murder onto someone in the "inner circle" -"it has to be an inside job".

I tend to think this was thought up in the minutes between the 911 call and the arrival of the police.

And that the culprit(s) took some steps in creating "funny little clues" that would have helped point to a prime suspect in the inner circle. And sticking my neck out, I'll go so far as to say: right down to trying to use a recognizable handwriting pattern. Otherwise the RN could have been prepared using another technique.

I'm still on the fence about this. I do see the possibility that JR set PR up. Whether he'd have let her take the fall or not I can't say, but with him ruled out by handwriting "experts" and PR the focus of attention, she pretty much had to comply with Team R's instructions.

Because there could have been no plan to dump the body after the 911 call. It had to be done prior to calling the police.

Yep, yep!

In any theory of the case there could be no plan to dump the body after police are called. It is unreasonable to suppose they thought the police would come, take down the pertinent info, then go off chasing phantom kidnappers. They had to anticipate surveillance, they had to anticipate phone taps, they had to anticipate the FBI becoming involved, and they had to anticipate dogs. They also had to anticipate a reasonable level of competence on the part of both police and friends when they searched the house. To call the police is to have the body found.

 

[InstantProof]

I just had another look at the ransom note, I don't know if this has come up before but as I read it I felt a change in writer at the end in both style and maybe even handwriting(starting with "Don't try to grow a brain John"). For the first 2 pages the author never uses the name John, then in this last bit it's used in 3 out of 5 sentences. This "voice" reads more frantic to me than the rest of the letter.

 

[midwest mama]

I just had another look at the ransom note, I don't know if this has come up before but as I read it I felt a change in writer at the end in both style and maybe even handwriting(starting with "Don't try to grow a brain John"). For the first 2 pages the author never uses the name John, then in this last bit it's used in 3 out of 5 sentences. This "voice" reads more frantic to me than the rest of the letter.

Your thoughts have been shared by several dedicated posters. IMO, by the time the writer got to the last page, time was beginning to slip away too fast, and there was yet a need to convince the reader that John alone was going to be the one that had to be responsible for making all the ransom demands happen.

On pg 2 of the letter, a new paragraph starts when the instructions begin on how John's behavior is to be carried out with regards to the ransom and the expected harm of JB. From that point on, the writer is displaying more and more aggressive verbiage about the situation and does not start any new paragraphs, though there are places for them. IMO, less attention is being paid to the mechanics of writing the note, and more intention is being given to the reasons why they can expect JB to killed.

As a result, IMO, agitation within the writer is growing because he/she has to be sure there are several reasons established for why JB will be killed. The note has to cover plenty of bases for the reason she would, indeed be found dead, if ever found at all, once the kidnapping/ransom plan could be pulled off. Just giving one reason why she would die makes it too simple for JR to avoid that aspect, and also if he would make that mistake, puts direct guilt on him, at least from his family, forever. Less chance of public empathy also. The writer has to have plenty of reasons for her to die, especially ones that are broad-based: "If we catch you talking to a stray dog, she dies".

While the note looks like it is directed to JR in rage, it did set him up in the note to be a hero - make the arrangements to ransom his daughter, but the note is also providing for him to make some mistake that the "kidnappers" see as a reason for killing his daughter. Mr Successful Business Man becomes the target, but alas, he could not save his daughter, and then becomes the R's become victims supreme. :moo:

 

[UKGuy]

OR, the killer/stagger made rational decisions but couldn't control every act of non-involved family members. His plan may have been partially carried out, then foiled. That is the key insight of Doc's theory, that we are not looking at the scene as it was meant to be seen.

Chrishope,
Possibly a better description is decisions consistent with the RDI theory being developed.

Placing a ransom note on the stairs and returning to bed seems to me to be questionable when you are attempting to control events.

The 911 call could have been avoided if JR had found the ransom note, who could say otherwise?

Then there is BR's voice in the background on the 911 call, how does that fit into the theory?

that we are not looking at the scene as it was meant to be seen.

Not certain how I must view things, but its the evidence that does not quite match the theory that is interesting?

.

 

[UKGuy]

Duplicate Post.

 

[midwest mama]

Chrishope;9555534] snipped --

IMO, once the police were called, the killer(s)/stager(s) had to anticipate the body would be found. Despite "tomorrow" being logically the 27th, there was no chance that police were leaving, nor that the body wouldn't be found. I think "tomorrow" buys JR time, and is meant to deceive PR, not the police.

I agree about the time factor - it's supported by the ransom note suggestion that he "be rested" because the delivery would be exhausting. This would have provided overnight sleep time for him. And it also would have provided plenty of time for him to get PR and BR safely delivered elsewhere - maybe even to Michigan along with the others. Archuletta and a co-pilot were at the ready. With JR as the note writer, and in planning to keep JB's body stashed away with the remaining items that were found, I have to think that JR just did not ever expect a call would go in to the police before he could get it out of the house. The business man in him might have made him consider the option, but IMO, he BELIEVED he would succeed with his plan. It's the narcissist thing.
If JR is the lone perp, he freaked inside when he had to come up with the sketchy Plan B options.

JR himself said in TOSOS that people misjudged his cavalier and calm attitude as the police arrived, etc. as being cold, but that he knew it was up to him to remain calm and in charge because of Patsy's demeanor, and because the police would need his help. This is a man who thinks that he is able to go into "rescue mode" more effectively by staying calm and controlled. He can think through adverse situations and provide resolve more effectively, in other words. So JR's wheels would have been turning like crazy, all the while never letting on. His 10 am trip to the basement probably took care of some details, besides opening windows, that made Plan B more plausible.

I'm not sure why PR would be reluctant to dump the body. If she was in on the killing, she'd rather dump the body than go to prison. If she came into the plot later, as a co-conspirator in a cover-up, she'd know dumping the body was necessary given the kidnap scenario. She'd also know for certain that she and JR would be prime suspects once the body was found. In for a penny, in for a pound. I don't see PR being involved to any degree without agreeing that the body would be dumped. Besides, as I've pointed out on these boards before, Christians take a dimmer view of murder than improper burial. Once one has committed the ultimate sin, why worry about proper burial?

Everything you say makes perfect sense - with regard to most woman in a state of mind in which they would see themselves responsible and complicit. I think that would have been the rub for PR. IF, and for me it's a HUGE IF, she was involved, she would have justified everything she did as being either accidental or "necessary" and convinced that at any step along the way her Lord would have forgiven her. Jesus told the thief on the cross next to him after he asked to be remembered, that he would assuredly be in paradise with him. In her own mind, PR would have been absolved of guilt, forgiven, and IMO, wanted the comfort of doing the right thing for JB by providing a proper burial. It's all part of the mother thing (especially a Christian one), which in a person like PR presented herself to be, would be the only option for her and her family.

 

[midwest mama]

Chrishope,
Possibly a better description is decisions consistent with the RDI theory being developed.

Placing a ransom note on the stairs and returning to bed seems to me to be questionable when you are attempting to control events.

The 911 call could have been avoided if JR had found the ransom note, who could say otherwise?

Then there is BR's voice in the background on the 911 call, how does that fit into the theory?



Not certain how I must view things, but its the evidence that does not quite match the theory that is interesting?

.

Hi UK - IMHO, JR would have placed the ransom note on the steps because he needed to make into the shower before Patsy awakened. Time was pressing in.

PR said when she awakened, JR was in the shower, and this would be in keeping with the theory. JR might have thought he'd get out of the shower in time to be right behind Patsy going downstairs and indeed, they could have both come upon the note, with JR being in charge and reading through, then simply convincing PR not to call police. Maybe PR being ahead of JR was another glitch in the plan?

Putting the note on the steps also would have been in keeping with the backup plan to make it look like an "inside job", since someone in the inner circle would have been most likely to know the R's routinely used that staircase.

With PR going bonkers and running around the kids' bedroom level, screaming for JR, it always was unbelievable that BR was said to be asleep, and once the R's admitted he was awake, it makes perfect sense that he would have been right on their heels as the call was being made, with JR finally arriving into the kitchen and PR already on the phone. What she told the 911 operator would have certainly prompted BR to ask "what did you find - what should I do?" And, that scenario sure would have accounted for JR being brash with BR in sniping, "We are not talking to you!", when he would have plenty to say to PR after she had just called police when she shouldn't have.

 

[Darlene733510]

In all the questioning of the R's, I would have thought that PR would have checked to see if JB was in BR's room. It was mentioned , that at times she would go and crawl in bed with BR.
The fact that she did not check there indicates, to me, that she knew where JB was. Then watching what was going on, with her fingers splayed over her face, seems like she was checking to see if BPD believed the tale they concocted.
Then there was the slip JR made about all the people being there at 3:00. AM. Something fishy there! I firmly believe all 3 were involved, and it began with BR.

 

[UKGuy]

Hi UK - IMHO, JR would have placed the ransom note on the steps because he needed to make into the shower before Patsy awakened. Time was pressing in.

PR said when she awakened, JR was in the shower, and this would be in keeping with the theory. JR might have thought he'd get out of the shower in time to be right behind Patsy going downstairs and indeed, they could have both come upon the note, with JR being in charge and reading through, then simply convincing PR not to call police. Maybe PR being ahead of JR was another glitch in the plan?

Putting the note on the steps also would have been in keeping with the backup plan to make it look like an "inside job", since someone in the inner circle would have been most likely to know the R's routinely used that staircase.

With PR going bonkers and running around the kids' bedroom level, screaming for JR, it always was unbelievable that BR was said to be asleep, and once the R's admitted he was awake, it makes perfect sense that he would have been right on their heels as the call was being made, with JR finally arriving into the kitchen and PR already on the phone. What she told the 911 operator would have certainly prompted BR to ask "what did you find - what should I do?" And, that scenario sure would have accounted for JR being brash with BR in sniping, "We are not talking to you!", when he would have plenty to say to PR after she had just called police when she shouldn't have.

midwest mama,
You could be correct in what you write, some events and behaviour can be interpreted to present it as JDI.

I'm a little skeptical since its an interpretation built on a lot of qualified assumptions, i.e. Patsy dialled 911.

Assuming you have a theory that matches the forensic evidence, why do you think Kolar goes for BR and ST for Patsy, but not JR, when patently they know all the stuff we dont, you would think JR should be at the front of the suspect list?


.

 

[midwest mama]

In all the questioning of the R's, I would have thought that PR would have checked to see if JB was in BR's room. It was mentioned , that at times she would go and crawl in bed with BR.
The fact that she did not check there indicates, to me, that she knew where JB was. Then watching what was going on, with her fingers splayed over her face, seems like she was checking to see if BPD believed the tale they concocted.
Then there was the slip JR made about all the people being there at 3:00. AM. Something fishy there! I firmly believe all 3 were involved, and it began with BR.

Until or unless there is one day an arrest and a trial of a suspect in this case, I'm afraid everyone who posts here will continue to look at the evidence and see it in a way that either supports our theories or can be easily discounted in the same way that it has been for so many years.

A police department, special investigators, DA's and a grand jury were not able to bring this case to a point of resolve, so it shouldn't be a surprise that we all have varying opinions. Some days I wonder why I even come to the forum, let alone post, but there's something inside me that says that as long as someone has gotten away with murdering a little girl, we shouldn't let it rest.

Since the Grand Jury did find probable cause to indict both the R's, knowing this could lead to an arrest and then open the floodgates of further investigation, do you feel that by keeping any further investigation of evidence shut down by not filing charges, it is possible there would have been more incriminating evidence brought forth against one or the other parent? There could have been, in another city maybe, but I guess Boulder's DA office has a mantra of needing to only go forward on a case with a sure bet conviction at hand. Sad.

I wish Garnett would at least keep asking BR and JR to come in for further questioning. Yes, I know, the lawyers squash it and threaten legal action. Maybe a little court action would be a good thing - at least someone would be able to answer up as to why the R's are being asked for further information - and who knows what can of worms that might open.

 

[questfortrue]

In all the questioning of the R's, I would have thought that PR would have checked to see if JB was in BR's room. It was mentioned , that at times she would go and crawl in bed with BR.
The fact that she did not check there indicates, to me, that she knew where JB was. Then watching what was going on, with her fingers splayed over her face, seems like she was checking to see if BPD believed the tale they concocted.
Then there was the slip JR made about all the people being there at 3:00. AM. Something fishy there! I firmly believe all 3 were involved, and it began with BR.

Good point regarding checking to see if JB was in BR’s room. PR did tell the BPD in the April ’97 interview that after she screamed for JR, he came running and then they thought, “what about BR” and JR went into BR’s room to check on him. I don’t think they were too worried about BR! ITA that PR was in on this, the deception is just too clear.

Regards BR, IDK. No smoking gun, but his behavior was definitely uncaring and he was very protective of his mother and father after the crime. In his interview with the psychiatrist hired by social services to interview BR on January 8, BR distorted information, and the distortion was visible to detectives. For example he told the psychiatrist that someone quietly took JB downstairs and hit her over the head or stabbed her. But in an overheard conversation on December 28, ‘96 with his friend DS, BR and DS discussed whether JB had been manually strangled. BR does not mention strangling in his interview.

MM, regarding timing, I give credit to UKGuy and DeeDee about a discussion on the thread, “Who molested/abused JonBenet”, of a possible plan on the part of JR. The thoughts that were triggered for me were in regard to the “getaway” plane. JR really really wanted to leave Colorado for Georgia, after the crime. It is one reason, imho, that he did not take up his pilot’s offer to fly MR and her fiancé and JAR back on the plane. He wanted it available for him (and family?). As long as there was a kidnapping scenario happening, they were stuck.

If JB’s body had been placed outside, then there would have had to be a further plan of recovery of the body, or of waiting until the body was discovered. That wouldn’t have been real simple. And it would have kept them in Boulder even longer. It wasn’t until JB was discovered, that JR could then call his pilot and “get everyone out of Dodge.” What he didn’t count on was the police telling him he couldn’t leave because it was a current homicide investigation.

 

[midwest mama]

midwest mama,
You could be correct in what you write, some events and behaviour can be interpreted to present it as JDI.

I'm a little skeptical since its an interpretation built on a lot of qualified assumptions, i.e. Patsy dialled 911.

Assuming you have a theory that matches the forensic evidence, why do you think Kolar goes for BR and ST for Patsy, but not JR, when patently they know all the stuff we dont, you would think JR should be at the front of the suspect list?


.

JR was at the front of the suspect list by the BPD for several months.

I am suspect of Steve Thomas having tunnel vision on Patsy because he does not deal with the probability of chronic sexual abuse of JB. Because I respect all that ST went through from the time he was assigned to the case as head honcho, and then ended up giving up his career because of it, I am reserving some other speculation I have on ST's motives. I believe he was truly led to look AT Patsy and AWAY from John. The RST has been very powerful.

And, I suspect Kolar had to be very careful when publishing his book about how he presented his information about the R's. Most think he was pointing out the possibility of BR responsibility in JB's death. I am certain he wanted us to see the connections in BR's behaviors with molestation that might have also been happening to BR. And I also think he wanted us to know that BR had other psychological problems that were purposefully sealed from further police or public knowledge, because BR was not a chargeable suspect. And it's possible, IMO, that he thinks BR is being put on the hot plate simply because he DID have some problems that might make him suspect, added to the fact he couldn't be charged. Pretty simple, if BDI, then JR and PR get off, right?

What I want to point out, as I have before, is that Kolar devoted a complete chapter in his book to how he looked at John. It seems to me that without coming right out and saying, "OK, look at how I connected my little "daggers" to things connected to JR", he made certain he recapped every "JR" item in that chapter. No lawsuit that way.

As far as PR dialing 911 - in the beginning she stated JR told her to, but in one of her last opportunities, she recanted that and said she decided to call.
Opposing information - usually flags a lie somewhere.

Another interesting item just posted somewhere on the forum recently was that when Arndt went to visit Patsy just before she died, PR was said to have given Arndt enough information that if it could get into the right hands would finally bring a resolve to the case. Arndt gave her last interview on TV after PR had been gone a while - and clearly alluded to the fact that she suspected John. Surely, if PR had given her any information about JB's killer OTHER than that, she would have not been so bold as to present that speculation?? I believe Arndt knows.

 

[Darlene733510]

Unless Arndt speaks up, this will forever remain a mystery. By keeping quiet, she is protecting JR, if he is the one Patsy said that killed JB. Then to look at the other suspect, BR, he couldn't ever be charged. Perhaps PR told Arndt that she had no part in the killing or the staging, and Arndt felt she was sincere. Did sympathy for a dying woman have anything to do with Arndt's decision to keep the secret?

 

[Nom de plume]

I know we have differing views on whether or not he/she/they intended to dump her elsewhere. I've always believed that he did. The RN made no sense to me if they were leaving her to be found in the house. Them thinking that LE would leave and come back on the 27th didn't make sense to me either. I always thought PR called 911 without reading the entire note, or against JR's urging her not to, or without his initial knowledge.

I've begun to see another possibility though. The RN is full of warnings not to talk to LE or JB would be killed. It also says that they will be under constant observation. Does anyone think it's possible that they put the warnings in the RN to provide an excuse for why she was found in the house? Could they have been implying that the killer/kidnapper was still in the house that morning, heard her call 911, killed JB and then left through the broken window before LE arrived? Perhaps the suitcase was left under the window to imply that that's how she would have been taken out of the house had the kidnapping been successful?

It's the only way that the RN and JB being found in the house makes any sense to me at all unless the original plan was to dump JB elsewhere, and PR messed it up with the call.

 

[Chrishope]

Chrishope,
Possibly a better description is decisions consistent with the RDI theory being developed.

Placing a ransom note on the stairs and returning to bed seems to me to be questionable when you are attempting to control events.

The 911 call could have been avoided if JR had found the ransom note, who could say otherwise?

Then there is BR's voice in the background on the 911 call, how does that fit into the theory?


MWM has answered this, and probably better than I can do. But I'll throw in my 2 cents.

Placing a ransom note on the stairs and returning to bed seems to me to be questionable when you are attempting to control events.

I think that's a fair criticism of the theory. It may well have been better if JR had found the note. But he'd have to let PR read it. So maybe the net result is no different? I doubt he'd want BR to find it, so it was either him or PR. There may have been family dynamics that we don't know about. Maybe JR habitually takes shower in the morning and PR habitually gets up at that time and makes him breakfast, or at least coffee? JR would want everything as "normal" as possible since things were going to become very abnormal. Maybe it would have been suspicious if he'd stayed up - leading PR to wonder how long he'd been up?

The 911 call could have been avoided if JR had found the ransom note, who could say otherwise?

Possibly. It's hard to say whether the 911 call could have been avoided just by JR finding it. PR would still want to read it, at least partially. Unless JR was going to physically control her at all times there's really no way to prevent a 911 call. But I agree, had JR found it and read it aloud to PR, emphasizing the threats, maybe she could have been convinced not to call 911. Then again, maybe not. Would you trust your spouse to handle a kidnapping case or would you prefer the FBI got involved? If you see this as a weakness of the theory, that's fine with me. I don't pretend any theory is free of doubt (even if I speak, sometimes, as though there is no doubt) or that any theory ties up every possible loose end or answers every possible objection.

Then there is BR's voice in the background on the 911 call, how does that fit into the theory?

The theory doesn't depend on BR not being up at the time of the 911 call, or having gotten up minutes before because PR is running around shouting and carrying on. A lie about him being asleep doesn't mean he was a party to the coverup, nor does it mean he did it. Of course if BR had been up for hours then the theory is wrong, but we don't know how long BR had been up.

Not certain how I must view things, but its the evidence that does not quite match the theory that is interesting?

.

Not sure what you mean here.

 

[Chrishope]

I know we have differing views on whether or not he/she/they intended to dump her elsewhere. I've always believed that he did. The RN made no sense to me if they were leaving her to be found in the house. Them thinking that LE would leave and come back on the 27th didn't make sense to me either. I always thought PR called 911 without reading the entire note, or against JR's urging her not to, or without his initial knowledge.

I agree, it doesn't make sense. For me this has always been the single biggest problem of the case. I don't wish to sound too dogmatic, but the DocG theory is the only one that, IMO, deals with this problem in a way that makes sense.

Police leaving and coming back makes no sense, you're right. He (they) had to know once the police were called, JBR was going to be found - dead.

I've begun to see another possibility though. The RN is full of warnings not to talk to LE or JB would be killed. It also says that they will be under constant observation. Does anyone think it's possible that they put the warnings in the RN to provide an excuse for why she was found in the house? Could they have been implying that the killer/kidnapper was still in the house that morning, heard her call 911, killed JB and then left through the broken window before LE arrived? Perhaps the suitcase was left under the window to imply that that's how she would have been taken out of the house had the kidnapping been successful?

It's the only way that the RN and JB being found in the house makes any sense to me at all unless the original plan was to dump JB elsewhere, and PR messed it up with the call.

IMO this is hard to believe. Since it's hard for us to believe, it's also hard for the police. Since it's hard for the police to believe, it probably isn't what they were trying to imply. Plus the RN clearly states that the already have her -past tense, act completed- so most likely the RN is meant to deceive someone into thinking JB has been taken?