Rupert said:
Aussiesheila,
Thanks for your kind words.
Yeah, I need help. Maybe you have the answer, but I think I need the perp to give us a further clue (peacefully please!) that can hook this thing once and for all. I mean what is the complaint? Why did the S.B.T.C Group have to killl JonBenet?
118,000 people died by bombing somewhere in a 3rd world country?
118,000 children were working in an asian sweatshop making Barbie dolls for Christmas?
Does the Garrote / Bash have to do with some winter solstice Irish / Celtic ritual for spell casting?
What's with the Esprit magazine mark-up? What does a bonus of $118 have to do with sweatshop Barbies?
Whatever other dumb theory?
A puzzle is useless, unless it can ultimately be figured out.
Actually, my main point is that if an intruder did it, the perp failed to get his message clearly across. That suggests a good chance that there was simply no point at all. Therefore, it was just a collage of coverups: "We" becomes "I". The perp was no stellar activist; just a pervert. Given post crime behaviour, anyone could have done this and no wonder the R's were dogged by suspicion.
If it was an intruder with a political point to make, the perp failed to get the message across. Using Bluecrab's word: "obfuscation", I then conclude that was all that was intended by the note. Chances are then that it was either an intruder or family member that had knowledge of all these coincidences (bonus, groups, barbie doll, ...) and kidnap movie crime quotes.
If it was somebody sooooo.... close to the family, then why hasn't one of them figured it out by now?
I certainly enjoy reading all the posts. It's been good to meet you folks through this cyber world. You all care for another human who didn't get to live her life.
Aunt Sheila's Advice Column:
Dear Rupert,
If you want to help yourself emerge from your agonies you must give up your foolish idea that the writer of the ransom note was who he/they purport to be.
Try it, it may be difficult at first, but if you put plenty of effort into the task and achieve this goal you will be well rewarded, I promise you. All will become crystal clear and you will feel relaxed and comfortable.
Then, if you take the next step and read the note again and can come to see it in the way I suggest, you will be a new man.
If you start with the second paragraph where the instructions begin about the ransom amount, try to go with the idea that the $118,000 demanded by the 'kidnappers' was designed by the composer of the note to direct suspicion at an employee of Access Graphics as being one of the kidnappers.
If you read the note further, you will see that the composer is trying to reassure John that it might take a long time for the 'kidnappers' to get in touch and that John should not try to rush things. If you think about this you will realise that the 'kidnapper' seems to be buying more time. I have to tell you now that the composer of the note was not a 'kidnapper'. Now this might come as a bit of a shock, but be strong, you can cope. The composer was covering up for a group of pedophiles who had been regularly abusing JonBenet and who had stupidly allowed a newcomer to join their group on Christmas night and who turned out to be a stungun wielding psychopathic killer. The note composer knew it might take some time to get JonBenet's body from where it was hidden in the cellar, out of the house undetected and dumped in a remote part of the mountains. So the composer was really buying time for the coverup.
Once you have come to terms with this concept, continue reading to where the note moves on to the next important part of the strategy which is that the 'kidnapper' is aiming to frighten John into not calling the police. You can see can't you, that this might be much better for some kind of coverup plan if they could keep the police off the scene. What you must realise now is that the composer of the note was not the writer, this shouldn't be too difficult.
So, if you will, take a look at the handriting. Do you notice how shaky it is? The writer seems to be trembling. Why? You wouldn't think it would be because he/she is nervous and fearful of getting caught otherwise why hang around for such a long time to write an uneccessarily long note? What about if I suggest to you that the writer is the mother of a girl who she knows has just been murdered and is writing under duress? Now I know this is the hardest bit to believe and it will take some time to accept. But you can do it if you try.
OK so the mother is involved in the coverup. Got that? Not too much of a struggle I hope. Now, I'm sure you can appreciate that in spite of this, she is profoundly distraught and highly emotional. As you continue reading the note can you see her getting angry? This is her sick way of coping. She is angry at her husband who actually had nothing to do with any of this. But angry she is and she really lets fly, she even seems to be blaming him for what has happened, absolving herself of any responsibility. Are you beginning to see into her character now Rupert? This is very important, it is central to how a whole ugly situation was able to exist and ultimately culminate in her daughter's murder.
Last little bit now. Hang in there. The end of the note. The mother has come to her senses momentarily. Oh yes, there is supposed to be a terrorist group responsible. Better add a 'Victory!' that will add a touch of authenticity.
Back to herself again. 'S.B.T.C.' saved by the cross. A desperate plea for herself. She has betrayed her daughter, but she is a good Christian. She will survive all this, she hopes.
Now will you survive Rupert? I hope you do and I hope I have helped
Aunt Sheila