What kind of proof do you need in order to consider something possible?
But I'll bite: There is no conclusive proof that the mother is missing voluntarily with the child, therefore all options have to be considered, including murder and accident (i.e., a car-in-a-pond scenario).
Considering how many women and children are murdered in the midst of divorces, murder staged to look like a voluntary disappearance is a distinct possibility.
You don't need to bite on ANYTHING. [FONT="] "Authorities believe Patricia's family helped hide their location." That quote tells you everything you need to know about the case. There is no murder, accident or need to speculate. [/FONT]