I understand the perspective of honoring JC's grief. She is a named suspect, however, and that makes her a boulder to get around in the middle of the case. She was named by local LE so depending on your level of confidence in them, it may be warranted or it might not be. ASP and the FBI are still the top dogs in this case, and I for sure would be sidestepping SPD under any and all circumstances. Just an opinion and one I dont voice lightly.
This case is so muddied because there isnt anyone I have read about here whose hands are clean. All the way out to friends, relatives, and people in the town. jmvho. There are two high profile disappearances currently where the weak link, imvho, is SPD in terms of documentation but there is more than that. This is not a big town and something bad is being covered up. Everyone involved in this case, imvho, is operating out of fear for themselves or their loved ones. Cassie wasnt scooped up by a stranger imo. Cassie was scooped up locally and will likely be found locally.
The CYA going on here is keeping a child from being brought home and I dont know how anyone is able to sleep at night or live with themselves tbh. Unless there is a culture in this town that permits for the disposal of people without repercussions.
As for the quiet, I wouldnt take that to mean nothing is happening. It has been clear to me that SAR efforts have gone on repeatedly without being noted by anyone in town.