Women who had been divorced.

Women who were widowed.

Women with houses paid off or substantial equity built over years of work.

Some were raising children.

Some had adult children whose concern could be turned into an accusation.

Derek had not always called himself Derek.

Amanda’s account of a man named Jason was checked against photographs, contacts, dates, and other records.

Investigators did not assume every helpful boyfriend with the same first name was the same person.