Maybe it means that LE is updating them. They don't need to appeal to the public now that the body has been found. It's a private matter - they don't owe the public anything. IMO.
Arguing against self-harm is that Alan's brother has stated that he believes someone out there is responsible for causing Alan's death. Was it someone Alan knew, or was it a stranger. My guess is the former. And I think a 'hit' is a real possibility.
Typically FOIA requests are denied if it's an active case.
Ah ok, thank you for clarifying. In the UK a young girl went missing a few years ago and there wasn't always many updates which was frustrating because at times it felt like she had been forgotten about (she has since sadly been found murdered) so another sleuther on here used to email the local paper's journalist, who then used to contact police for an update. The police would sometimes update them and then something would be written up in the local paper a few days later. What I'm getting at is the police were more likely to release info to the journalist rather than some random person they don't know contacting them. Journalists often have friendly work type relationships with police due to the nature of their jobs involving each other. Might be worth a try if anyone knows who to contact at the local media outlet?
Yes, that's exactly what they'd like. And very rarely does it happen!
Shut down. 
Anyone else think that's a bit odd?
