They are treating it differently because this case is different, and, IMO it's at a different stage than many realize.
IMO LE knows who their suspect(s) are. They know what happened to Kyron. The investigation turned criminal when they realized and confirmed what happened.
They don't know where Kyron is. But they have motive, opportunity, witnesses, and circumstantial evidence. They said they "aren't discussing any POI's at this time." They've said "yes we can have an arrest in this case without a body."
They are in the process of clearing Terri (the flyers) - they have to clear her so the defense (for their actual suspect(s)) can't point any fingers at her - and say "what about her?" Surveys, even lie detectors - all to clear Terri. They don't care about her truck, they just care who saw her truck when and want it on the record.
They need to establish, beyond a doubt, Terri's timeline, and Kyron's timeline. The have already determined the perp's timeline.
They have said "we are trying very hard to do everything perfectly in this case". To me, that means they are preparing their case right now. They must do things perfectly, because it's, at this time, a circumstantial case.
They will keep searching to "bring Kyron home".
But they are not waiting for body recovery to move forward to an arrest. They don't have to, IMO, because they have witnesses and enough circumstantial evidence.
LE is acting "differently" and media seems willing to follow their lead. NG is not picking up this story the way one might expect her to - I have to assume she's sent her staff out to Portland and they learned what the rest of media learned. hush, hush.
Whenever opinions turn against the family, LE comes to the rescue with a presser that puts the family in a good light. This weekend, even media came to the rescue with a some human interest stories for the Horman family, which were roundly positive, even while mentioning a few negative items (DUI arrest).
It feels like Kyron's parents, LE, AND the whole community have closed ranks. They are acting like a community that has had a tragedy in one family, and is about to have another one in another family. The Hormans are in shock and mourning. And they know that another family is in shock and will be mourning soon.
Kyron's family can't go after the perps in roughshod fashion because, IMO they are too closely related and it's tragic overall. They don't need to appear and appeal, because they already have their answers.
LE is treating this case different, because, IMO, it IS different.
As usual, I reserve my right to change my opinion tomorrow.