I would take an opposite view concerning use of the term 'no response', since it could simply mean there was no response to specific commands or instruction being directed at or toward the occupants of the farmhouse. When used along with the term 'in conversation' with a person from inside the farm, it becomes clear that police were engaged in some sort of dialog with someone, but that they were not getting any response to which they were requesting. This would be consistent with the police making specific demands of Sheila, and not gettqing the required response from her...