Perhaps he is just doing research.
I know an oil field guy who was kidnapped in Colombia and held for a few months until his company could work out an arrangement for his release.
On the last night of his captivity, the kidnappers threw a party for him with a big meal and plenty to drink. He even has pictures.
He still is in contact with a few of the "guys" (kidnappers).
In Colombia 20-40 years ago kidnapping was simply business, today in Mexico it is not.
This guy may not come out alive.
My instinct is that this is an inside job. Just think, after forking over millions of $$$ to kidnappers over the years, why not make some $$$ yourself by staging your own kidnapping. I know, you can see the sparkle of my tinfoil...lol.
Yu are correct. It is believed he was decapitated shortly after being taken and his body “cooked.”