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No, the article says that it was her real estate agent that discovered the squatter and that the house had previously been rented.

Your confusion is understandable. The framing of both situations in the article is "homeowner returned to discover squatters" but even their own facts don't line up with that narrative.

I suspect both situations are probably much more mundane tenant disputes and the article is pushing an agenda.

Ah, I see that on rereading, my mistake.

That particular home was being rented out before they returned home, that sounds 100% like a legal matter. I don't think the vacation scenario is equivalent unless it's a multi-month vacation.

Shoot the asshole who was in your house and say it was a home invasion.

I 100% support this. It's just like any other infestation of vermin, you need to use any means necessary.