This may clear up some of the phone questions:
GRACE: Let`s talk about the cell phone. Chief Jim Craft, what about the cell phone?
(JIM CRAFT, CHIEF, LAFAYETTE POLICE DEPARTMENT)CRAFT: We know that she last used that phone about 1:30 in the morning. She got a call from a friend asking about whether or not she had had something to eat. And she replied that she had done so and gone to Taco Bell. And as far as we can tell, nothing else after that. And no answer on the phone.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1205/24/ng.01.html
And also:
"Craft also said they have picked up several items of potential evidence, but so far, none of those seems to be connected to the case. He also confirmed that her cell phone was turned off and that police are not able to get any information about her location using that avenue.
Its the type of cell phone that, when you cut it off, you cant ping it, Craft said."
http://kpel965.com/latest-information-search-for-mickey-shunick-continues/