Originally posted by Abby Normal
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Thanks. I don't know if you saw the paragraph I added; I think the scenario I refer to was suggested by Wickerman sometime ago. I do find it strange that Schwartz describes Stride as standing inside the gateway, particularly when you consider how dark the yard was: Louis D stated that her body could have been easily missed by someone walking through, and Lave couldn't even see the club door to get back in. But it could be explained if she was conversing with someone who was stood behind her, in the shadows, and therefore unseen by Schwartz.
Nonetheless, for me there are just too many discrepancies with Schwartz's evidence: differences in the two accounts; an altercation not heard by anyone else (including Mrs D, sat feet away in the kitchen with the window); Stride holding onto the cachous after being thrown to the ground, and not even splitting the packet (which I think would have been a near impossibility); no bruising or grazing to the body; flower remaining undamaged; clothing not creased; position of the body, suggesting she was exiting the yard when attacked.
All of this suggests to me that Stride was caught unexpectedly from behind, in a stealth attack, and eased to the ground, where the killer slit her throat. And, it seems to me, that a quiet, stealthy strategy is very reminiscent of JtR's MO.
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