@GonzoGirl5 ,I just saw a post about JD on a FB page I follow, so I'm a bit late.
Have they followed up w the Ajo cell ping, if that was legit? Nogales is a much more popular point of entry than Ajo and a ping in Ajo is a bit more concerning since they were supposed to go to MS and Ajo is a border town that is out of the way, even from I-10. Does this "friend" have a clean work history? Did JD help pack the 28'? Was the 28' towed from 93 with ADs belongings still in the back?
This choice of route seems odd. With a truck, pickup and trailer, 40 would make the most sense for speed and safety. Even with expired tags, he could have taken 25 in NM to 10 and avoided OK tolls. The back of the truck being open also doesn't align, not in such a short timeframe.
I hope you and his family get some closure.