If my memory and ability to use reddit are both working, I think your friend may be Jonny. I think we spoke a couple of times on IRC or something back in the day but I'd be surprised if he remembered the interactions. I was LJ friends with Rei and so saw the whole horrible thing play out. It was incredibly smurfed up and regardless of the truth, I'm sorry that happened to him.

I don't really have much to give you. There were a lot of rumours that she faked her death and I recall some people saying they had proof that she didn't die, but I never saw anything concrete and this was obviously a long time ago.

Good luck and as BoB says, I hope there can be some closure.