Thank you for the update !!!!!!!! I knew the discovery yesterday couldn't possibly be Joan - thank goodness. But, they were not even sure if they were human remains, so the poor person had to have been there quite some time. I too hope the family finds some peace with what becomes closure to part of their investigation.
While I'm glad to hear of the progress into the review of Joan's personal life, I am saddened that it does not produce any leads. You mentioned they had reviewed her cell phone records - nothing strange there either? How far back did they go?
I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but one thing that hasn't been made clear- atleast to outsiders - how have the police confirmed that the bf was out of town? Where did he go? Just in case she did try to hitch a ride to see him - which direction would it be in? With there being so few close interpersonal relationships, the only true leads would come from deep investigation into those closest to her. When you meet with the detective, did anything come from the apparent disagreement from what the gf told you as to her last contact with Joan as opposed to what she told LE?
I know you are looking for answers on what to tell Joan's daughter. Clearly, I have no professional experience, but it makes sense to me to be as honest as possible. Nobody knows where her mom is right now BUT EVERYONE is looking for her and everyone KNOWS she loves you more than anything!
My only other unsolicited
opinion is that I think having a one-on-one with a child psychogist/counselor may help you in making the decision about having her consult with a child-specific investigator. Only she and MC were with her on the last known night she was seen - perhaps she knows something but doesn't realize it. I understand your hesitance, thus why I recommend consulting professionals who can guide you through what investigators may be looking for, how they would handle it, what a child may think of it, etc. If you'd like some help on that - searching for the right person to discuss it with - call me and I'll do a little investigation of my own. I can talk with my detective friend, call some organizations, etc.
Thinking of you all every day....