So to review what we already knew, this could have been a very well planned and executed event.
Orbeso and a friend traveled out to the area and stayed in a Airbnb 2 weeks prior. Obeso lived in Orange County, 2 hours away.
The friend told the media, or investigators, that they went out there to check out restaurants but never made it past Palm Springs. This is very peculiar statement (lie) if this is what he said.
Why did they go out there to begin with?
Reports are that Nguyen and Orbeso were romantically involved, but no longer.
Orbeso's father has stated that he watched his son load Nguyen's car with his stuff but did not see Nguyen or had even ever met her. Where was she?
4 different hallucinogenic drugs were found at the Airbnb.This is extreme, for anyone.
The fact that Orbeso brought his gun with him on the hike could be for many different reasons, like protection against mountain lions, or maybe target shooting.
We have yet to see any of either the couple's friends talk publicly about this trip, if they knew about it. The family (Nguyen's or Orbeso's?) stated the couple were going out to celebrate Nguyen's 20th birthday. As I stated in the past, I find this to be odd that she would celebrate her birthday with one person, an ex-boyfriend to boot.
What if it was Orbeso who told his father this was the reason for going? We didn't hear from her family until after they were found. What if Rachel never told her family she was doing this and once the family found they were missing, they accepted this excuse? Her being abducting and taken against her will is a bit farfetched but I'm throwing it there.
They hiked out into the desert during the worst time of year and on that day it was over 100 degrees. A hike that was over 7 miles.
Considering there were provisions - water and jerky, possibly others - found nearby, it doesn't appear that they were under extreme duress or dehydration. This would also explain why dispersed clothing wasn't located, typical in these situations.
This has now, unimaginably, turned from a missing person's case to a murder investigation. What investigators find out about Orbeso might be quite disturbing.
There is something to note. They were found "In embrace". But other reports are that he was simply holding her.
I think it's safe to assume, considering all of this and the outcome, Orbeso may have been taking drugs for a while and not in a sound state of mind.