So, I'm new to this publication, but I read your story on Bellingcat and I think there is an additional thread that could be pulled there. You (And your team, if you have one, if not, I doth my cap) may have already tried going down this road but I wanted to throw my two cents in based on the experience that I have.
At least in terms of LLCs, the state that they are incorporated in will have publicly available corporate filing information about the LLCs formation on one of the state's websites. In the handful of states that I deal with, the corporation MUST declare a registered clerk or agent, essentially a third party that can be contacted if there is any issue with the state bureau or with the company's processing of this paperwork. Now, oftentimes, this registered clerk or agent is simply a law firm, which of course wouldn't give you a ton of specific information, but it could lead to other avenues of inquiry.
So, I'm new to this publication, but I read your story on Bellingcat and I think there is an additional thread that could be pulled there. You (And your team, if you have one, if not, I doth my cap) may have already tried going down this road but I wanted to throw my two cents in based on the experience that I have.
At least in terms of LLCs, the state that they are incorporated in will have publicly available corporate filing information about the LLCs formation on one of the state's websites. In the handful of states that I deal with, the corporation MUST declare a registered clerk or agent, essentially a third party that can be contacted if there is any issue with the state bureau or with the company's processing of this paperwork. Now, oftentimes, this registered clerk or agent is simply a law firm, which of course wouldn't give you a ton of specific information, but it could lead to other avenues of inquiry.
I think that niche "weird" stories are what surprised me the most. If time allows, I suggest that you explore this path.