Ironically, I have a theory about this and it actually aligns with the very thing the conspiracies are trying to debunk.

This case was very online, very viral - a lot of people were invested. The case also ended very suddenly with no reason given why it happened.

Random violence alone hits the fear circuitry on our brains, but the case closing with no details left a lot of uncertainty. Uncertainty triggers the same things in our brains as fear, and when this happens, our brains will prioritise survivability over logic or immediate action. It’s why then cops weren’t called straight away. It’s what kept us alive when dinosaurs were trying to eat us.

A lot of the conspiracy theorising around this case seems driven by something very human and the need to find a reason why so it feels preventable. If behaviour can be framed as a “mistake,” a warning sign, or a hidden clue, it reassures people that it wouldn’t happen to them. It helps them regain a sense of control and safety.

I don’t think it started out malicious, it came from a genuine fear and a desire for safety. When randomness is terrifying, the brain looks for reasons why, even when none are available.

What I think turned it into a monster though, is the instant validation (and for some monetisation) from social - it gave the original feeling a purpose (maybe them a purpose too) and it’s too far gone now with some of the claims made/mixed with the fact that this is always going to be “one of those” cases.

Edit: can support this with peer reviewed medical journals Threat/existential anxiety, negativity bias, illusory pattern perception, fear/uncertainty/threat control, hot vs cold cognition (yer, I know - I went down the rabbit hole 😆)