One very nagging fact though is that the road/path she went down to get to the beach was an extremely unlikely coincidence, if she didn't already know it was there, plan to meet someone there, or was accosted by someone who knew it was there.
Fact; the van was found on the beach.
I agree, and I think this is a very important issue.
Being pretty familiar with the area, I believe the person who drove the van onto that beach had prior knowledge of the location, or was directed by someone with knowledge of it.
Someone local and/or familiar with the area could know of that beach access road. Someone who had ventured onto that beach from the water might have spotted the road. But it is private--no public access via roads.
Even if Shantina had looked at a map and wondered if there was beach access at the end of Zangle Road, the idea that she found that road at night--and drove down it without knowing where it led--is, IMO, highly improbable.
Zangle Road heads through a remote, wooded area. About 2 miles from Boston Harbor Rd, to continue on Zangle you must exit onto a marked, dead end road. Someone unfamiliar with the road would most likely end up on 81st, since the road curves right and becomes 81st. At the end of (the dead end) Zangle Rd there is a home, and it is clearly private property.
The beach access road would be very difficult to find in the dark and also difficult to navigate. Especially at night, it would be impossible, IMO, to see the condition of the road or where it leads. Not a road most people would risk taking at night if unfamiliar to them. Probably not a road a mother with her child, previously lost for hours (supposedly), perhaps impaired, at some point possibly scared, would choose to drive down at night
without knowledge of its condition.
Also relevant is the fact that this is a very quiet, remote & secluded residential area and, again, a private beach. In daylight or early evening, someone attempting to drive down that private road would likely be spotted and, I assume, asked to turn around.
IMO, if someone were planning to go to that beach, they would wait until late at night to avoid being spotted. I also think they would not plan on being there long, i.e. not a good place to sleep or drink, being private property. ~ JMO
Btw, I love reading everyone's opinions & ideas. I haven't read them all, but someday I might catch up! Thanks to everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts and such great information.
