Up until I'd caught wind of this case, I always thought MB was fairly safe. Looks like there have been several confirmed abductions there since at least the 90's, and quite a few attempted abductions.
LE were leery regarding any sex trafficking theories in this case, and I'd imagine it's because the powers that be in Myrtle Beach wouldn't want the tourism industry there affected. Tourism also happens to be South Carolina's biggest industry.
I understand that a certain biker gang runs a lot of MB. Just an FYI.
I live in SC and have been to MB several times a year all my life. It is a safe place if you take general precautions. It is a dangerous place, like anywhere else, if you have a young girl/woman/child out on the street by themselves.
I called my friend who lives in MB to ask about the biker gang, and he thought it was a joke. He said the only biker gang is when they used to have 'bike week' and some of them still come down for vacation for 'old times sake. I have never noticed a bike gang or anything like it there.
As to the 'gator pit', I've never seen or heard anything about those here. That sounds like a dry pit, dug in the ground, that gators are put into and can't get out of. I've only seen gators in water areas, ponds, waterways, road side ditches that are holding water. The friend said he always thought the "pit' was some local lingo for a pond known to have gators. Some people even feed the gators to keep them around the pond. (that would have to be some nutjobs)
My theory on the new search is: the guy in prison, who first told the story about the stash house and the pit is wanting out of jail. His first story hasn't gotten him out, so he's letting more trickle out. I'm sure he knows if he got out, he'll have to leave the area, cause the family members will be coming for him. LE is probably making it clear to him, unless they get enough to burn the guilty party(s), it's no good.
MB and the state of SC desperately want to close this case, with someone arrested and locked away. I don't think they will stop investigating until that happens. All MOO