[Dante3]

There were many reasons why this case received more attention than others: the media played it up, it was a mystery, it was more interesting that other cases with the victim involved in the odd lifestyle of child beauty pageants. It had all the ingredients of a best seller.

[GBA]

All true. And the story continues...

[Sender]

It did have all the ingredients of a horrible best-seller:

-beautiful young blonde white girl (high Greta factor)
-controversy over young beauty-queen ethics
-rich, powerful parents under suspicion
-mysterious ransom note for odd amount
-sexual assault
-no signs of a break-in
-murder in the basement
-a child, at Christmas!

No wonder so many in America were obsessed with this case, as it made all parents feel vulnerable.