I have no gut feelings as to what happened to BL. Really--a puzzling and frustrating one to me. I just don't know, so still hope for the best at this point...
Random thoughts:
If BL planned his disappearance: If his roommate/friend (SD) was so important to him as evidenced by his last text msg ("You are the best person I've ever met. You saved my soul.") , then I have trouble understanding how he would have not let the roommate know. After all, he would be leaving SD in the lurch, having to deal with the presumed shared apt rent, and that would not be a nice thing to do to someone who you think so highly of.
Also, sure am curious as to what kind of text msgs were on his phone during the time he was on this trip. Most young people his age text very often, so what kind of texts were made back and forth, and by whom? What were the nature of the texts? Even if they were mundane texts...even that could shed light on state of mind. Especially wondering for the time period he was in the Buttonwillow area for hours and hours.
BBM I think he did let the roommate know. Roomie made a comment to the effect that he & Bryce made promises to each other and he intended on keeping them. Someone else noted that the roomie was tweeting a couple of weeks ago about moving out or possibly moving to NYC. That's not a decision you make overnight, nor is that something you decide very shortly after your roomie and close friend goes missing...unless you already know he's not coming back.
I've been following this case for several days without posting, but some posts by others have helped me put some thoughts together (for whatever they're worth).
My first 3 points below suggest the roomie possibly talked Bryce out of committing suicide, and perhaps even bargained with him that he wouldn't reveal Bryce's whereabouts (if Bryce didn't commit suicide) if Bryce left to 'find himself.' The roomie isn't worried about Bryce's whereabouts b/c he and Bryce made a serious pact.
Points 4-6 further suggest to me that Bryce wanted to drop out of sight so he quit going to classes and dealt with his gf and mother to keep them away from him (so he COULD drop out of sight).
1) the roomie's interview saying Bryce messaged him with "You are the best person I've ever met. You saved my soul."
2) the roomie saying he and Bryce had made promises to one another and he intended on keeping them.
3) roomie saying in an interview that he wasn't worried about Bryce and that he thought Bryce didn't want to be found.
4) Bryce "breaks up" or doesn't break up with his gf. I'm thinking he didn't actually break up with her---but he knew he was going to disappear for a while and he tried to let her know she wouldn't be hearing from him for some length of time (without actually saying it).
5) Bryce stops going to classes (sort of drops out).
6) Bryce tells his mother he doesn't want her to fly up to see him at his college; also tells his mother they have a lot to talk about.
Oh, yeah---and he took Adderall b/c he was in crisis mode.
So I think Bryce gave up his life at college for a reason I don't presume to know anything about, and he's out there trying to find himself. Needless to say, my ideas are my own opinion---and may not account for all the details in the case.
Thanks for listening!