So, no certainty at all on motive or how events unfolded. The hypotheses I am reading:
1. B&E with planned robbery that went sideways, leading to either unplanned murder and removal of her body, or injury and unplanned abduction. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (higher or more certain ransom payout)
2. Planned abduction to extort ransom. Variants:
a. Random
b. Targeted, because elderly, living alone, ease of access, etc., but not as SG's mother
c. Targeted as SG's mother (higher or more certain ransom payout)
3. Intimidation/fright attempt as payback for NG calling in a loan (leading to unplanned murder or injury/unplanned abduction)
4. Injured with unplanned homicide elsewhere, or murdered elsewhere, never returned home. B&E staged to mimic abduction and divert attention.
5. Staged, to draw attention to SG and elevate public sympathy for her / increase career mobility
6. Staged, to draw attention away from (fill in the blank)
What did I leave out?