[John Jamieson]

They might not tell us about ransom demands. I think it's the most likely senareo, but I don't think it's family.

The mother's father just died (2 days before?), I wonder if he was wealthy. We should be able to find an obit.

[Partisan Hack]

Other mittigating factors. (all rumor of course):

1. Elizabeth had a dramatic reduction in grades within the last six weeks. All A's to D's and F's.

2. She was scheduled to see a psychologist to discuss the abrupt change in behavior.

[Plummz]

If the family was in financial trouble -- bad real estate deals, blackmail by sex ring participants, etc. -- the death of the father-in-law and resultant estate issues might be a time when such troubles surface, come to a crux and the need for ransom money may become apparent.

[ET(end tyranny)]

IF there were a ransom demand, one would think that it would have been paid by now. jmo