I see that you post that LE changed it to fit their kidnapped at PTL theory. What I'm trying to point out is that they did not necessarily CHANGE it. They simply agreed with Terry Elvis that Heather's phone data ended at 3:41. They did not say no one tried to contact the phone after that time. Do you see what I am saying? LE doesn't say that SM's phone did not try to contact Heather's phone after 3:41. I could be completely wrong, too, but it's what people DON'T say that red flags me. They 100% do NOT say that there were no communications to Heather's number. They say Heather's phone data ended. Two completely different things.
If you text me at 1, then I text you at 2, it is a back and forth communication from 1 to 2. Then you text me back at 3, but I turned my phone off at 2:30 and didn't get it. It is still a back and forth communication, even though I did not get your last message nor respond. But it is now from 1-3, but my phone data ended at 2. (because I shut it off-same would happen if it was destroyed.)
That is the best I can explain it. I don't think they changed their position at all. They just changed the way it is being said and are leaving some parts out for a reason. And I could be wrong, but I don't think so.
As to why didn't Terry and/ or LE immediately get another phone as 4evernbluejeans asked? Maybe they did and didn't tell us. Or maybe LE would rather have the database records (I would) and got those instead. Considering the bombshell that came out at trial in another case (Alexis Murphy) about a tshirt the perp was wearing that had the victim and the perps blood on it, yet it was never leaked to the public, I'm pretty convinced LE knows how to keep a secret when they need to.
I understand what you are saying, but I don't interpret it the same way you do, and I wish I could explain it better.
ETA: Sorry, I simply meant that the average person doesn't necessarily know you can take any old phone and transfer your number to it. A lot of people don't know how to transfer their number themselves, and most others would never think to take a used phone into their provider and ask them to transfer their number to it. The average person upgrades their old phone for a new one. I would not find it extraordinary for Terry Elvis to have not known this (assuming he didn't, and he might have)