I'm also thinking the age of the girls plays a huge role.Just turning 12 is the most awkward time in life,the age where you soon will be inevitable thrust into certain groups. Insecurities are rampant . IMO MG grew up where her creativity and individuality was encouraged and honestly I'm having a very hard time believing she was this budding sociopath or mentally ill.I see her in tender pictures with her cat so it really,really kills me to imagine what could have led to her doing something so horrific. PL seems like a girl who could easily become one of the popular crowd,she's pretty ,into pop culture IMO and AW seems the opposite.IMO she is definitely the one that would have been labeled "weird" in high school and maybe her resentment ,hatred and anger about this was already developing.S he introduced MG to Slenderman and MG was friends with PL for a long time.Maybe PL thought the whole Slenderman thing was ridiculous and was making fun of them about their obsession.Again in no way,shape or form am I trying to put part of the blame on the victim or am I trying to make excuses for the girls I'm just trying to speculate what could have went on in their heads to do something so horrific without even feeling remorse.
I agree with the above described observations about the 3 girls.
And in looking at the possible dynamics of how/what their relationship was as 3 "friends", and the relation of the 2 aggressive perpetrators and their one, chosen victim.. I believe there is likely SO VERY MUCH that's at play in how this horrific situation came to be, eventually followed through with, and played out between these three young girls.
(**Below I snipped/quoted the brief descriptors of each of the 3 girls, and IMO, I believe claudicici's observations are spot-on**)
--MG grew up where her creativity and individuality was encouraged.
<snip>
--PL seems like a girl who could easily become one of the popular crowd,she's pretty ,into pop culture, etc.
<snip>
--AW seems the opposite.IMO she is definitely the one that would have been labeled "weird" in high school and maybe her resentment ,hatred and anger about this was already developing.
<snip>
I, like many others have already mentioned, am anxious and hopeful that we will learn about what were the dynamics of this trio's relationship, background, and home life of the two perpetrators, and be able to come away with atleast a better understanding of what appears to be the key factors as to how this horrific crime came to be.
Just from the tiny of modicum of information that we have at this point my belief is that AW is the actual catalyst, or the main necessary ingredient for how this perfect storm that culminated in a very brutal, near successful, attempt at murdering their "friend", came to be(and again, this is based upon the small amount of info known at this time, and may very well change as more info comes to light).
IMO, MG seems to have been a smart, creative, and quite capable young girl..and even appeared to be somewhat a well-rounded young girl, friendly, likeable, etc.
AW, IMO, seems to be much the total opposite of all of those above described positive traits seen in MG. IMO, maybe even at some point the two would have been seen as a most unlikely pairing. I believe it not to be surprising that AW would be drawn to MG for the same reasons others would be(all of the above described positive traits), but IMO, what is more curious(and IMO, unknown at this time) is the reasons, traits, characteristics of AW that would have attracted MG, and drawn her to AW. This is just the type of missing/unknown-at-this-time info/details that I am talking about in my being very interested to learn as this case continues to unfold. With so many of the pieces still missing its difficult to speculate with any accuracy as to the why/what/how this all came to be.
But, I will say that IMO, I believe that this pair's dynamics will be textbook similar to what research/studies already show about "pairs/duos that murder"..in that each individual makes up the half needed, that when joined together completes the "whole" that serves as the motivator/perpetrator of the violent criminal act(in this case a violent, brutal, near successful, attempted murder).
As is typical each individual, alone, would not have the drive, and motivation to perpetrate such a violent, brutal act..but its when these two individuals(each half) are joined, that forms the complete "whole" that gives them, together, that drive and motivation necessary to carry out such a heinous act.
I believe it will likely be seen that it's some of those above described "positive" traits of MG's that were pertinent in this plot/plan/fantasy being made a reality. What was born of the two's creative imaginations, dark fantasies, etc was only possible due to MG's capability.(and it should be noted that even fellow peers of MG's describe her as just that, "capable"), which in most instances is a great, positive trait, but in this scenario, sadly became for evil use. JMO.
Anyhow, I've droned on enough for now:blushing:, but am very anxious to learn more as this case continues to unfold.