The disappearing npcs has happened to me twice now. Both times it has happened while moving throught the orchard area with the shades and the wolves.
Hey @satori 
Feedback like this is very important but hard to keep track of if a bunch of additional threads are made. Maybe you can delete this thread and add your feedback to the premade thread?
I did send it in a bug report also, just wanted to get it out here too. thanks