I honestly can't figure out why anyone thinks the BF is clingy. I don't see that evidence anywhere. Also, as to the statement of love I don't see that as odd either. Adults don't waste time as most don't have a lot of spare time between careers and children etc. if she was planning to take her uncle, kids and bf on a cruise a few days before her disappearance I have a feeling that they were most likely dating long before June, but out of respect to crystal he didn't want her to sound like it was when she was technically married. The uncle obviously knew and liked the bf or wouldn't vacation together and he was also with the uncle searching at the ping site. The ex was no where to be found. I don't buy the had the kids thing. There were plenty of people to occupy the kids so he could do everything possible, including trudging through dirty water in the dark to find the mother of his children , his wife according to him, if he was so inclined. He didn't. He didn't call LE even tho he was waiting for her since early AM to meet to give her the kids. His absolute silence is extremely concerning as well as lack of support from the uncle. The ex is a bullseye for me, and I don't exclude his not physically doing it but setting it up...just my opinion and speculation. He has the most to lose.
Her SM and public profile was all about the perfect family unit. In just a few days those pics of his kids were about to have vacation pics of the bf in them. She was obviously about to go public with her new life. Where did that leave him?