Can you let us know if searches continued last week? It was reported in MSM they were searching Wednesday night and Thursday morning, but not after. Understand if you can't discuss.
I'm starting to agree with the one-man show theory. I can't figure the key thing out. Is that anything you can address? Because if she had her car key I can't think of any reason she's willingly get into his car.
As for the friends, there are several reasons they could be acting the way they are. Very well could be covering illegal activities they engaged in earlier in the evening like you suggested. They could be missing a sensitivity chip. Or they could feel extremely guilty. I knew someone who lost her husband in a car accident. Young couple. He was running an errand for her. For the longest time she would never talk about him, got rid of all his pictures on SM, shunned his family. It was selfish but she was so torn up with guilt it was her way of being able to get up everyday, of coping. Could be the case here. MOO