I do not know why the family will not consider CM being involved in illicit activities. I'm sorry, but if your live-in BF is dealing, then there is no way you can't know. Not saying she was "actively" involved, but surely "passively" involved. Kind of like the "friends" at the party may not be actively involved in her disappearance. They may not have done anything wrong, but their silence on what they know is now "doing something wrong".
Since we now know HF was under investigation on Aug 1, maybe LE confronted her for info.
I was dead set on EA injuring her in a SA, and I still think he is complicit, but to say the HF news has nothing to do with this is shortsighted. A larger conspiracy that includes HF type activity would explain why so many people won't talk. Being closer friends to EA over CM is not a strong enough reason to stay quiet.
If HF owed money, maybe HF and EA had same biz partner as mentioned before. Maybe EA owed too and had to do a favor.