There were pictures in the beginning of investigators going through the grass in the median of the highway, and was believed they found gloves or a ligature then.... we'll see at some point what they found. I remember someone (artie gumshoe... i think) also on the threads in beginning hinting that something was found in the river. We had a big sink or float debate about the DVR.
acurrier... they did appeal to the public in the beginning to come forward if they saw anything. the major case squad was called out immediately to investigate, and they were very vocal from the get go about they wanted any info they could get and confident they would solve this.