Criminal enterprises don't like "snitches" because it messes up their drug, prostitution or other illegal trafficking, so money loss would be a reason (irrational). Criminals also don't like "snitches" because then they may end up in jail. Depending on social scene, one may not like someone "snitching" about one's dating choices, like extra-marital or sexual preferences. But since the perpetrator(s) are imo quite unpredictable, "snitching" could be some paranoid delusion from using too many drugs (think Scarface character, Al Pacino). Personally, I think the "snitching" had to do with someone's business activities and there are plenty of individuals that appear to be involved in drug dealing/trade (marijuana, cocaine, crystal meth) if going by SM/articles alone.
Great point, Jessica could have been talking with someone about personal issues. What an easy way to lure someone like Jessica who was making recent positive changes, then by philosophizing about recovery or even God and religion. So profile of a perpetrator may look something like this:
-Christian (or religious) male who knew Jessica enough to know she was religious and family;
-friendly with Jessica (maybe a friend from high school or one ex-BF's friends or Leah's or work acquaintance);
-Drug user and/or dealer- (either crystal meth, cocaine or some other "hard" drug or heavy marijuana, or heavy pharmaceutical user)<- this from southern yankee post on desensitivity OR psychopathic;
-someone who has/had crush on Jessica and has problems with rejection;
-someone who would perceive Jessica to be a snitch (ie Dad works with LE and Jessica is changing life around, or someone drugged out/paranoid).
*note- I think there is more than one perp, but just trying to establish the person who "lured/connection" to get Jessica to point Herron Rd.
I think there are a couple of people that would fit that profile. And would add since there is a lot of SM communication, reading between lines, you know the old saying: thou dost protest too much.
Jmo/