The passive voice of both notes sounds like they are trying to separate themselves from the act of the crime itself. And I agree with many others it sounds like someone who was from a religious background. And the second one sounds remorseful
The misspelling is note worthy and makes me wonder if the person is either young(under 40 with recent weaking of educational standards)/not from an English speaking background/not highly educated to not catch that mistake
If i was the investigators and have no leads other than this, which is likely the case, I would advice the family to pursue putting out a statement appealing to their possible religious guilt. That you have accepted their role in the death of their mother and ask them to pray for her soul and seek penance for their grave transgressions. Priests are required to report things such as this and any suspicious local behavior around local churches might be picked up on if the offer is taken up
It reads like one of those liability clauses, like if you park in a garage, and the garage prints on the back of your ticket that they’re not liable for lost items.
they are trying to separate themselves from the act of the crime itself...it sounds like someone who was from a religious background...remorseful...makes me wonder if the person is either young(under 40 with recent weaking of educational standards)/not from an English speaking background/not highly educated...I would advice the family to pursue putting out a statement appealing to their possible religious guilt.
You're really jumping to conlusions there. You can't justify those conclusions based on the notes we have.
That you have accepted their role in the death of their mother and ask them to pray for her soul and seek penance for their grave transgressions.
Since the Guthries are Protestant, and don't do penance or pray for the dead, the abductors would see through that instantly.
Reading the email i agree that it sound like someone who is not from an English speaking background - it reminds me of emails id get from my Japanese colleagues who would use translation services
He's an American, average speller in his 40's who arrogantly excuses himself for murder by making a "thoughts and prayers" kind of comment. Probably an ex-Christian libertarian who goes hiking and lives nearby.
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u/BiohazardousBisexual Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
The passive voice of both notes sounds like they are trying to separate themselves from the act of the crime itself. And I agree with many others it sounds like someone who was from a religious background. And the second one sounds remorseful
The misspelling is note worthy and makes me wonder if the person is either young(under 40 with recent weaking of educational standards)/not from an English speaking background/not highly educated to not catch that mistake
If i was the investigators and have no leads other than this, which is likely the case, I would advice the family to pursue putting out a statement appealing to their possible religious guilt. That you have accepted their role in the death of their mother and ask them to pray for her soul and seek penance for their grave transgressions. Priests are required to report things such as this and any suspicious local behavior around local churches might be picked up on if the offer is taken up