I'd be pretty surprised if this wasn't a suicide. I hope I'm proven wrong but all the signs are there:
1. Her brother mentioned she had been unhappy (I don't remember his exact words). He spoke with her the night before she disappeared and he told her he'd call her the next day. I know they are very close but most adult siblings don't talk every day. I think he was worried about her.
2. Her friend said Meghan had been upset and needed some time alone.
3. She took a leave of absence from teaching. Its unusual to do that with only 8 weeks remaining in the school year. I don't think she would do that unless there was a serious problem.
In cases like this, I think its customary for LE to be silent. I think she's in the woods or water. Spring has arrived in MA and as leaves, weeds, grass and flowers emerge, its going to be tougher to find her, though there will presumably more hikers out in the area to spot some clues. I'm hoping for the best but not optimistic.
You could easily be correct
But given what we know, I don't really see any signs that shout out self harm.
She is in her 40's. Who has not had a problem that has shaken their foundation by then ?
Her brother and she are friends so I don't find it odd that she would talk to him frequently
Maybe for instance, she was seeing a coworker and he broke up with her and she could not imagine
having to see him everyday at school - hence the loa - hence the unhappy
Or once again any number of things - people have issues they need to work through
They take space to do that sometimes - I don't find it odd. Life can be hard and full of challenges.
What I find unusual is that people think she went for a hike or to look for treasure on a cold rainy raw March New England day. That she walked into the woods leaving her car unlocked.
She may have pulled over to check her phone for navigation /or wanted to check a text/or to cry, etc
Or just to regroup and decide where to next - the weather was not what she expected
Or her tire pressure was low, or any number or reasons
And someone else pulled in, maybe they knocked on her window and wanted directions
or whatever. Or maybe a trucker stopped on the road outside the tiny trailhead on the way to the Mass pike/hwy
The person started up a chat and then things evolved from there
There really would not be signs of a struggle or foul play
A random crime of opportunity
And then she is gone
I travel alone for business through out the US and some international - small towns/ big cities/ the whole enchilada
I try to always add days to my trip to stay around and explore. There are situations that crop up randomly,
seemingly out of nowhere, unless you are vigilant and aware of your surroundings and who is where, it can be dangerous - even in little tiny towns
I think she was preoccupied, sad, vulnerable and alone. She's away from home in this little safe get-a-way buccoli area and someone, seemingly kind, took advantage of her trusting nature
As far as LE saying no foul play is involved, If they do not know what happened to her how do they know ?
I think what they mean is no obvious foul play is involved. JMO today