I agree with you and think it is both premature and inappropriate to make assumptions about the relevance of her depression. The fact that every news story is leading with that potentially irrelevant "clue" is troubling. See below what I wrote in a missing thread about a young man Matthew Weaver who disappeared in Malibu last year. In my opinion, the lost hills sheriff's department has a pattern of making "victim blame"-themed statements that are counterproductive to soliciting the public's help. They did the same thing in the Elaine Park case two years ago and as a result, most locals (myself included) didn't hear about it until last summer during the tragic Malibu Park shooting of Tristan Beaudette. This is the same unit that was sued for making a mess of the Mitrice Richardson case and is now being sued because last 4th of July they responded to the scene of a brutal mugging along the PCH of a long time local resident and artist. The deputy *assumed* the beat up disoriented victim was homeless and dumped him off at the labor exchange where he would have died if not for good samaratins. See:
Family Of Beaten Artist Sues Sheriff's Department - Canyon News As far as I know, no one has been arrested for that crime which occurred in the same area on a holiday weekend.
One of the challenges Malibu faces in terms of investigations is that it is a popular holiday and summer destination but has limited accommodation options so it can be hard to find witnesses after the fact. These early Press Releases do matter! People are more likely to pay attention and recall unbiased information if they aren't presented with a hopeless, forgone conculsion. Ubers, taxis, and cell reception are limited and drunk/high driving is a huge problem along the PCH. She could have been hit by a drunk driver and pitched into the brush, mugged walking to her car or accidentally drowned among other scenarios. In sum, regardless of whether Ms Lorber was depressed, there are still a range of possible dangers she may have encountered. My advice as a "local" to her family and friends is to be cognisentof the Lost Hills Sheriff's Department limitations and political motives. Since Jennifer is technically a resident of another state, perhaps the FBI can assist as well.
Quoting myself FROM Matthew Weaver's thread: "Another missing person in Malibu? Age 28-30. Possibly depressed but keep in mind that is the Malibu / LA County Sheriff department's default strategy to diminish public concern and cover their *advertiser censored**es. LE's focus should be on raising maximum awareness and locating the person - not steering their investigation according to potentially irrelevant assumptions using all capital letters...especially considering how often they have been wrong! Locals please spread the word on Jennifer Michelle Lorber."