It will sound cold blooded and I'm sure many will disagree, but had I known a close relative or friend was in a vulnerable and perhaps agitated state due to a mental illness, then I would certainly not depart for the mainland and convey my concerns to the police from there.  We've all played the "telephone game" at some time in our lives haven't we?  Then you know how easily pertinent information can be misconstrued, distorted or just plain ignored.  I obviously cannot speak to what Mrs. Bernhardt witnessed or knew for a fact.  All I can say is that if Gene Bernhardt had been in any obvious distress to the point where a reasonable person would think him to be at risk of harming himself or others, then he should not have been left alone.