I think that an accident is possible within a group of heavy alcohol/drug users who are more concerned with covering their own behinds. The people surrounding PB during those days after Christmas do not seem to be, as a rule, honorable, ethical, or mature. I can see an accident (overdose seems most likely scenario) being covered up in an initial flurry of action, with the only thought being saving their own hides, because PB is already gone. And that cover-up escalated into continuing layers of cover-up, intimidation, pressure, and threat, in ever larger circles as the shock wave of what happened billowed out. Add to that the fact that many of the POI's have observed family members' run-ins with the law, and that they have been raised to distrust LE, especially because they are doing things that ARE against the law. We are not talking about regular law-abiding citizens who raise their kids and work hard and buy into society's structures, as it certainly seems like PB's NC family does.
If it was an accidental overdose, (and I say accidental because I would assume no one wanted her to overdose, but they were all high/drunk as well, so they weren't really the best chaperones for a young girl's experimentation), and if they had contacted the authorities and her parents as soon as it happened, it would have been a horrible tragedy that would have reverberated through her family and friends and teachers. And those involved would have faces charges (what would charges be for adults who provided the drugs/alcohol that led to a minor's death?) But the healing would have begun for all who love PB. Instead, the agony persists and extends, and those who were involved in her disappearance are going to face murder and accessory to murder charges, as well as obstructing justice (and what else?).
