he had alot of titles, stepfather, which he never was, partner, BF. and at the time he returned the nite of her birthday, it seems like he was none of those anymore.
IMO, she told investigators about the sleeping arrangements only because there were possible witnesses (roomies). and still thought the explanation was just fine, her need for absolute uninterrupted sleep. LE said she was 'visibly upset' seeing those SA images and denied she recognized SS, her daughter and the location....some say oh, she was in shock...me, no, I think a different type of shock.
I go back to the media interview telling the public she is 'missing'. Madeline's day, according to her 'we' account began in the car. not in the home, not getting dressed, nothing about 'their' morning together. she could have stated, jeez I slept in, my 'partner' got her ready for school and they left early without waking me. my partner said she was wearing x. and then push him in front of the zoom camera to give the account. instead, he shows up in the other interview where she is shaking all over the place. but his was the same rehearsed story.
there are numerous differences of opinion as to why she would lie. but go back and try to consider this normal, I cant: her daughter is missing and she's on camera soothing HIM. that alone was IMO shocking in that moment and obvious to me at that time, she was shielding him from suspicion. finding out about the SA after those media interviews, I cant help but question her behaviour in that moment on camera and why she presented a united front for an event she had no knowledge of, or did she?