Yes, college students sometimes experiment with these dangerous substances. But if some person or group allowed MH to become grossly intoxicated, and then just walked off and abandoned her alone in a wilderness area, they are guilty of depraved indifference to a human life. And, they should be held accountable.
Any companion of hers that evening could easily have called the local police, and explained that she may be in danger due to her judgment being impaired and that they believe that she could be lost on the farm. Such a call could have been made anonymously or by a third party should the concerned individual be afraid of a possible drug-related charge. If they had just called the police, MH's life may have been saved.
Virginia's law which allows police to arrest people merely for being drunk in public may be causing poor relations between the students and the police. While the officers surely would not have arrested AM or SS had they called for help, the fact that the police have that power probably leads to mistrust. JMO: they should modify the law to only apply to disorderly conduct or driving under the influence.
That being said, in my own opinion, she was murdered by some weird Manson-style group. Photo #14, the tee shirt, the car & belongings left behind, certain other depictions which were quickly pulled from the net a while ago ... it just adds up to something sick.
