Following this case closely as a born n bred Ballaratian, relative worked at same panel beaters many moons ago (different owners and location back then). Still remember not being 10yo and hearing about the murder of Kathleen Severino. Have been many more since then (Tracey Howard, Belinda Williams, Nina Nicholson etc). If there has been a third party admirer/friend who got a bit full-on, that could explain AVO/possible stalking/abduction. I just looked up distance from Sam's to the reservoirs I grew up near, only 6km. They are also a very short distance to the highway leading to Melbourne. I myself was followed as a school girl a couple of times along country roads near Bushland, well before mobile phones and CCTV. Also, I did wonder about that couple who supposedly saw Sam on the Saturday, his watch also "went missing" and pinged near where Sam's did (will try work out how to link articles), hopefully they've been thoroughly questioned/looked into as that seemed strange occurrence to me.