There's something that doesn't quite compute here ... 4 minute long communication via ACARS, yet over that the same 4 minutes no PAN or Mayday on either 121.5 or 123.45. It's clear you navigate before you communicate, but 4 minutes do sound quite long.
Also - due to the altitude where the initiating event took place (FL350 from what I've read) the debris should be scattered in a rather large area if it would be turbulence and structural break-up (and those 4 minutes of ACARS messages speak hightly against turbulence and immediate structural breakup). Loss of control and structural break-up either at a lower altitude or upon impact
sound more likely.
Disclaimer: not a pilot, just an enthusiast working where I need to use logic and deduction.