I think the photo depicts stuff she had in her front lawn for a garage sale she did, if I recall correctly, which led to the impression that an estate sale was a possibility. And it say's in the story that someone discovered her door unlocked and started telling everyone is was the 'place' and everything was free. So whoever, if that account is accurate, likely started the stampede to cover his own theft. That's just my guess ... but any fool would know that couldn't be true, especially in a home that was obviously occupied. I guess greed and miscommunication, that would be my thoughts.
I had read that there were some things on the lawn, but I assumed most of the picture was caused by the looters.
Their confusion is only believable until they step inside the house and see a lived in space with multiple occupied bedrooms, and nobody representing the estate to distribute?
An unlocked door doesn't mean anything to me, it's not that unusual in most places I've lived. I leave my door unlocked in Vancouver sometimes. But I won't hesitate to attack anyone I find inside when I come home, because I think only a criminal would just walk inside someones house.
There were descriptions of people running away with stuff, and at least one woman telling the people to put the stuff back.
I don't buy it. I think they were thieves grasping at any excuse.
I agree with you on this. Most were simply criminals, plain and simple. Who would mistake a house where a family with kids clearly live for an estate sale? There were likely a few who had no idea and just went along, the world is filled with suckers ... but most, at least those 'running' off, as you say, knew what was going on and just took advantage.
That doesn't add up. Estate sale. Since when does 'sale' mean free? Grabbing armloads of goods and running off, without ever seeing the owner is theft.
Even if there had been a dead guy giving out free stuff, ransacking the place as shown in the photo is incredibly disrespectful.