I have from the beginning, been willing to see the truth as it landed. Maybe the story was a bit skewed, but I figured that right off. We've all heard there is some truth in every lie. This holds true for most similar cases. Once the word on PH's history was out, it all became relatively clear. It's an old story. One we have all seen too often. No truer words than "there is nothing new under the sun". I never assumed the coworkers/friends were being completely honest, or that we even knew what they had told LE. I did assume early on that it was very likely that the story the family got initially was false, or at least partially false. No one wants to tell the family of a missing person, "she was out trying to score". I have thought from early on, that three were more text exchanges, that we will probably not know about until trial, if even then. I really just assumed that they were at the bar at some point that evening and that the persons she was seen leaving with, happened either in the parking lot, or somewhere close, but initially when questioned by the family, it fit close enough together to tell what maybe the witness thought was helpful without telling on themselves. I don't know if he/she/they, knew the suspect, or knew of him. I suspect, that PH may have known someone who knew him. It never made sense to me for her to have left with a complete stranger. Not that she knew him, but more, was aware of him.
The text never bothered me. It, sounded not so much frantic, but uncomfortable. Per the suspects own words, his previous victim "was down to party", I'm paraphrasing but I think the point matches. His get out of jail card was that his previous victim got in the car willingly. this may be absolutely true. Not sure, but maybe. His idea of partying and hers, obviously differed.
He's an opportunistic predator. Probably how he managed to stay out of prison this long. I's sure there are other victims that just never came forward because they were embarrassed, or high, or whatever reservation, similar victims have historically avoided seeing themselves as victims. Addicts are easy victims for this type of predator. They either never want to tell they were in this situation, because it would cause those who believe in them to question everything else they are portraying as a life of sobriety, or they feel responsible and embarrassed. I could be completely off base. This could have been an outright abduction. I wouldn't put money on it, but it's possible. I pray for her family, as, they had faith in her to the end. Although not always productive, we could all not ask for more, than a family that believes in us.
