Yeah, it's not they're obligated to say something, or that we're owed a response, or even that it's right to automatically believe the other party. It's just that it's an unavoidable fact of a horrible unexpected situation like this, that if only one side of a story is available, that's the side everyone is going to hear.
I definitely understand his trepidation, especially when you see all the shit pouring their way on Twitter - it probably seems like responding would just add fuel to the fire. Social media at the moment is definitely a terrifying beast if you're on the wrong end of it.
Maybe it's just the naivety that comes from never having been in the public eye, that makes me think it's better to respond with your side in some form. And maybe they still will, once they've taken some time. Who knows?
Ahh it's a fucker when stuff like this happens.