I'm probably a little late here, but I wanted to address this, as it's an important topic to me. Please understand that this isn't directed only at you specifically; more to the general idea of LE releasing information.
I don't question the timing one bit. I have full confidence that LE was aware of the LL sighting from the early stages of the investigation, and wanted to have that information kept confidential for reasons we don't need to know. Same with the phone pings/information. When they felt comfortable with it being released publicly, then the VI was able to share it with us. Who are we to judge what they do and don't release and when? We have no clue what's really going on behind the scenes, nor should we.
Frankly, Law Enforcement is under no obligation to tell the public anything regarding their investigations. Their loyalty is to the victims of the case and to the justice system. If public safety is not a concern, any information they release to us in terms of investigative details is our privilege, not our right. I'm like everyone else in that I want to help and I'm curious about where things stand - it's what we're becoming accustomed to in the age of instant news etc - but I think it's good for us (again, general us) to take a step back every now & then and remind ourselves that LE is doing their job, and that job does not necessarily include telling us what they're doing. If me being uninformed of this or that detail in order to preserve the integrity of an investigation means a better chance of justice for the victims of a case, then I'm happy to keep my curiosity in check for the time being. If the details are appropriate to be publicized, then they will come out with time.
(Sorry if I sound gruff, I feel very strongly about this subject. I am also a member of the media - NOT in Wichita - and understand the rights of free press etc, that is not what I'm talking about here.)