The problem isn't that utg+1 shouldn't have a better hand. It that you call the flop and then check riv. If you were UTG+1 and you bet riv and the dude open fold AQo how would you react? If you can't c/r then lead out. c/c is like saying that you think he will bluff/bet worst than yours/better than yours. I think you can discount bluffing part and some of worst than yours. C/F has got to be the worst option since you even fold out the rare time you chop w AQ.

If he folded it after the expert BB called, I'd prob shrug and think that seems reasonable since my range is like AQ+ And Qx is heavily discounted... if I even raise flop with AQ

Call the river. AQ is a little below a raising hand here, imo.

Call the river though. The pot is laying odds here, and sometimes AQ beats KQs, spewy AK (omg two overs and a gutter), and chop against AQ. Additionally, JJ,QQ, as hands for the UTG+1 do not make sense here as played as it checked through the turn. Even AQ does not make sense. So the hands that beat you very likely would not be checked a turn. I think there is a very high probability the CO has exactly KQ as described. As played by UTG+1, it does not add up to a hand that beats AQ. I'm tempted to raise as the check-through really smells like exactly KQ, but I call because it may be some goofy jack spew, and who the hell knows for sure.