We'll leave this issue of reasonableness aside, for now. But the police do not have a responsibility to investigate. They cannot be held criminally liable or sued civilly for failing to do so.
Now, as I said, there may be some department policy that requires them to do so, but there is no legally enforceable responsibility.
Jennifer Wilbanks did not ask anybody to look for her. She didn't leave a note, or call the police, or toss her apartment, or do anything deliberate to make it look like she had been kidnapped. How can she be held responsible for the actions of others?
She lied about being kidnapped and raped to the police, that is how she can and hopefully will be held accountable for her actions.
"We'll leave this issue of reasonableness aside, for now. But the police do not have a responsibility to investigate. They cannot be held criminally liable or sued civilly for failing to do so."
We will definitely have to agree to disagree on this one. A family reports that a young woman vanishes four days before a lavish planned wedding, and the police NOT be expected to mount an investigation and search? And them risk her being found dead, and they not done enough? I can't see it in this day and age. And any reasonable adult would know such a search would be made.
"Jennifer Wilbanks did not ask anybody to look for her. She didn't leave a note, or call the police, or toss her apartment, or do anything deliberate to make it look like she had been kidnapped. How can she be held responsible for the actions of others?"
The request to be looked for is assumed, and quite rightly. "Please find the people who have kidnapped me and have me captive". The situation is akin to the rescue efforts mounted for a stranded mountain climber.