Thank you al66pine for your reply. My question, and maybe I didn't make it clear, ....after the search ends,
what is done usually?
Well, I don't think this is a "usually" kind of case.
Surely, the missing person is not just
forgotten about and no more done and not mentioned again?
No, not usu. Often the MisPers' fam & loved ones use soc media and MSM to keep MP's name in front of public, hoping that one critical clue is called into LE directly or thru CrimeStoppers type groups, to break the case. RT is not following the herd on that. But, rare, ime, for LE to make public stmt. What can they say, besides --- investigation is ongoing? Arresting and prosecuting w no remains means no cause of death and no manner of death, so is a high barrier, altho occasionally done. See nobodymurdercases.com
LE may or may not want word out that they are closing in on a suspect, so may or may not want to say so.
Hopefully,
something is happening that we don't know about?
Yes, at end of intensive search, sheriff said he reassigned case to an investigatory unit, within his dept/office. Presumably some detectives or investigators are/have been interviewing ppl, securing phone & bank records, other elec. records re cell tower pings, etc. to identify signs of foul play/criminal actions, whether pointing to RT or to abductors, et al.
Or will it just be like this until somebody comes across the body at some point?
Be like this "quiet" from LE w no/few/limited release of info to public? Likely so, imo.
If/when remains are discovered, probably nothing from LE until the ID is officially made. If discovery of remains is leaked to media before then, LE may be goosed into saying -- remains located, no official ID yet.
I just don't remember following a case where there's just nothing and
nobody saying anything.
If you follow enough crime news for three or four decades and read, oh, say, 1000+ true crime books, you'll likely see a few/some cases w loooong stretches where nobody, esp LE, says anything.
I'm not criticizing. I'm
puzzled.
If puzzled about what the ultimate outcome will be, you are in good company w some of the rest of us. Hope this helps.