I read online that LE said that Perry dying during an arrest was a rumor and never substantiated. We have no info about Perry's personality or psychological profile. Agree, too much time passed for him to just run away at 18, with no plan. Nothing substantial about Perry's whereabouts has surfaced since March 15, 1974.One thing that we don't have is a psychological profile of Perry. Did he exhibit any signs of depression? Did he have a personality disorder? Knowing more about the breaking-and-entering incident would help. Was it a property crime? Was he breaking into the house of a romantic interest? Was he intoxicated? Did he have a drinking problem? His fleeing the scene of the fender bender does begin to paint a picture of someone who cannot handle the pressure of everyday living. That points me towards suicide. I could buy his running away, but I can't see him pulling it off for one year let alone forty-eight years.
I know that one of the theories being bandied about was that he was died during an arrest. If his car accident was caused by drunk driving, it would make some sense that he might have gotten pulled over. If he resisted arrest and was killed, but then the cop realized that he was unarmed, I can see a cop disposing of the body instead of reporting the death.
We need more information about Perry's life, and events leading up to that day, and especially the day itself, along with Perry's mindset.
Satch