I grew up in Missouri and went to the Jeff. City area often as I had a friend who lived there. The area is rural, there is a lot of foresty areas, country roads, etc. That area in Missouri is pretty well known for their production of meth as well.
I am total agreement she should have no way been walking a lone on a country road like that. Being a small town I think people feel safe and have notions that nothing like this happens in small towns and rural America. Those of us who frequent WS know that is not the case but a lot of people don't keep up with missing people, abductions, homicides, etc and just don't know how many RSO's there are living around them, how many kids are abducted every day, etc.
I hope Elizabeth is found safe but oh, it doesn't look good.