Wow, after reading all through, I really don't know what to think.
On one hand, accidental or "misadventure" seems entirely plausible: it appears as though she was having mental health problems, and if that, combined with epilepsy (exacerbated by stress?) resulted in her running off in confusion, then dying from either a fit or hypothermia, or a combination of the two, is very much likely. I can completely believe all I've read about epilepsy on here, and it's evident from her Instagram that she was not in a happy place mentally; the two together could well make for a tragic accident/misadventure.
On the other hand, the reactions of the E family seem odd, not so much choice of wording (I'm a master at choosing my words badly so can easily understand the odd thing that sounds a bit "off"), although I do find RD's wording to be rather lacking in concern for her young friend, but PE disappearing and then conveniently reappearing right as the clothes were found (possibly after not being seen by a search in the same area?), GE seeming to expect her to be dead before she was found, and above all, why would the police go as far as arresting three people on suspicion of murder so early, if they had no cause for suspicion? I would think that questioning RD without arrest would have been sufficient, unless the E family was being obstructive? It also sounded from some wording in newspaper quotes as though there was bad history between the families, maybe completely irrelevant.
But then, the lack of obvious wounds leads more back to misadventure. I find myself going round in circles, as the E family seem suspicious, although perhaps much of that is GE not knowing when to shut up; he talks about mud sticking, but he has caused much of the mud by protesting so loudly and making sure his family name is very much in the press. If they are completely innocent then I have a lot of sympathy for them... but, it seems very odd at present.
Some random things on my mind:
- It would be very helpful to know more about what happened before Gaia went to RD's flat. She was either in a car with a relative (who?), or at her aunt's house, she might have had a spat on Facebook, or she might have just run off... knowing what led her to RD and her state of mind when last seen by her own family would be a big help. Potentially that might explain the police interest in the E family, however (FB spat involving one of them?), so maybe that's why it's being kept quiet.
- It seems there's a lot of local dynamics that only small hints are reaching us via the press, the comments in one article where neighbours said they try to avoid the E's for example, GE stating that PE "couldn't stand" Gaia, NE being a former friend, no longer having any contact. Were Gaia's suggestions of people being "pedos" (I think we're allowed to refer to the victim's own social media, right?) connected to the E's, to entirely separate people, or just plain paranoia from her clear mental health issues? I know, that can't be answered without going into "rumour" territory!
- The blue shirt, when she was described as wearing red. Unless either she changed at her aunt's house, or whoever (not RD) last saw her thought she was wearing red but couldn't see underneath the big coat? I doubt it would have been so clearly stated as red if nobody was sure though?
I guess I remain on the fence and thoroughly puzzled! Also very sad for poor Gaia at how much she's had to go through over time, no matter what happened in the end, it must have been a very scary ending for her, I only hope she knew little about it.