I guess she had returned home at other times and perhaps her family had been through enough similar situations that they expected she would return on her own.
It sounds like she had a strong independent streak of sorts. Enough to leave home and fend for herself. Clearly she was looking for something that life on the road (at least away from home) was not offering
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She sounded like a dramatic, disordered person who probably had a difficult time getting along with others.
Describes half the hookers and lot lizards in America.
I have to admit, it all sounds like that to me, too. But the article didn’t go there, so I gave the deceased the benefit of the doubt. Again, you’re probably right.