Outstanding analysis. I first started getting immersed in this case when I was 48. I am now 76. I have experienced intense interest in the case for periods of time and then backed away to regain my sanity. Don’t let it rule your life.
IMO this was committed by one person. I would not rule out a police officer, or one who faked being an officer. The problem with that is why it would have happened so late.
If not an officer, then someone at the Hanover party who merely followed them home. It would not necessarily be a recent graduate. He could have been a stalker who fit in with that age group.
The police have told us it was a male “kidnapper.” They have told us it was sexual assault.
The profiler didn’t think it was one person involved.