That, to me, is the clincher.
From everything I've read, Beth was very close to her husband and her friends, and always texting or on the phone with them.
I cannot imagine her sitting at a train platform for an hour or more, waiting for a train to arrive, and not texting ANYONE to tell them where she was. Just doesn't fit with her normal behavior.
I think that any search for Beth needs to begin at the Mt. Vernon house and radiate outward. I do not believe that she ever went to Centralia.
Radiant, if you don't mind me asking...
Where did Beth and J rent the Altima? Did J contact the rental place and let them know that she would be returning it a day late? Was it returned on the 24th? Has LE looked at the car?
I am so glad that you joined WS. I really hope that Beth is found and all ends well. If so, then she needs to cut J right out of her life. What kind of a friend would treat her "best friend" the way that J has treated Beth?
It's true that Beth was always a constant communicator, always responsive in returning calls and messages. I believe she absolutely would have communicated with people if she were waiting for a train, particularly Scott to explain the sudden change in plans and communicate important details such as what time she'd be arriving in Chicago, etc. For her to go silent on May 23, no further activity on the phone, it's very alarming.
I agree wholeheartedly about looking hard at the house being rehabbed, and anywhere else they may have been on that day. I am also feeling strongly she never went to Centralia.
I have no information about the rental car, but it is another big red flag for me that could potentially contain evidence and needs to be examined. I do not know what LE are doing regarding this info. I hope with all my heart they are doing
something with it. I really believe they need to look at that car! I don't even know why a car was rented in the first place to go down there.
I am really glad I found you guys. You're totally on the ball. The smart ones figured certain things out days ago. Now, I think a lot of people are starting to catch on that J's story is unraveling. All of your hard work here really validates that there is a significant problem with J's story.
You're absolutely right, what "friend"
would treat Beth in this way? Whatever has happened to Beth, she didn't deserve it. I'm not saying J hurt her on purpose - not at all. But it can't be ruled out, can it? Neither can some sort of stupid accident that a decision was made to cover up, yes?
Even if J's story were true, what female friend leaves another female friend alone in a strange place hundreds of miles from home for half an hour (or longer?) to board a train? So J herself, in her own words and story, indicates a lack of caring and concern for Beth's personal safety and well-being right then and there in my opinion.