I often wonder if the Kopechne parents were worried about other facts coming out about their daughter and this lead them to behave as they did not wanting her reputation to be tarnished are there are many that still to this day feel that she was not unfortunate and was simply being offered a lift home afer work.
Knowing the Kennedeys it’s possible that the Kopechne parents were threatened with death if they didn’t play along. So perhaps I spoke a bit harshly. But it wouldn’t be the first time politically connected parents sacrificed their own child.