Do we know if the drainage ditch where NC was found had standing water? Was dragged for shoes, shorts, top, etc?
Several of the regulars on here paid the dump site a visit, and IIRC have posted pictures of the place in some of the early threads.
It was said to be a retention pond, but IIRC that was a fairly grand tag to hang on it, it was not very big, and not much more than a glorified ditch. It did not have a lot of water in it, I believe.
They did investigate the area, which makes me think the perp was concerned about leaving footprints or dragging trace evidence around. It was a short distance from the road, but not just an "open the door and kick 'em out" distance either.
There is, IMO a less secluded area nearby, but it is very swampy. Problem is it is right along a heavily traveled road with no place to pull off, but it is very close to the dump site. I think she would have been missing longer if he had picked that spot. Nobody goes walking in there.