I don't much trust any of them.
Well know the guy is alive if they send a picture of him with a newpaper displaying the Superbowl winner.
I'm inclined to believe the story that he is dead.
The story of the "phone call" came out after the e-mail death announcement. And, on MSNBC, the "anaylst" immediately said that the demand for money shows that these weren't politically motivated people, but just money-grubbers, etc.
I'm inclined to think that this phone call/money demand story is an attempt to discredit the kidnappers in the eyes of whatever fringe people out there who might "admire" them for taking political action.
And it's a way for the media to "manage" the news of the guy's death -- to let people get used to the idea before it's actually confirmed so that there will be less wide-spread call for serious action that the Establishment might not want to immediately take.
Mark W.