I wish I had the answers. While LE feels the perp to be local this does not necessarily mean that he is a first offender or that he has always lived in that particular community. Could be he has roots there and could be any past infractions with LE were on a lesser scale or perhaps not known at this time.
Because the community has the reputation of being a happy town does not make it untouchable as we are seeing now. No community today, sadly, is safe from aberrant behaviors.
How does a perp progress like this you ask ...the million dollar question and at this point all we can do is speculate. I only meant that I do not believe a first time offender would abduct a child, kill her and who knows what else, and then cut her up. This IMO is a crime of progression...mentally / physically.
IMO when this perp is caught and I believe he will be if he does not commit suicide or death by cop we may find that Jessica was not his only victim...we may also find that there are other victims that were perhaps victimized but not killed and some who may have been victimized and killed but not dismembered.....perhaps is surrounding communities.
I just do not believe that a first time offender who has never come into contact with LE will abduct, kill and cut up the body of a young girl. I hope I am wrong.