I'm sure in a missing person's case where all possibilities are being considered, including foul play, it's probably SOP to look at other cases of missing persons and other open homicides and try to see if there are any connections.
This woman and Gail did not seem to have a lot in common, and Gail didn't even live on the mountain in 2004, but it's possible they could have both come into contact with a person who had ill intent. From what I understand this is not an area where the murder rate is high or where people go missing often, voluntarily or otherwise.
There is a name mentioned in the WCRB article I linked above, and interestingly enough that individual was arrested this week (see mug shot here):
http://www.dunlaptattler.com/?p=11445
Assuming it's the same person, but it's the same name and Dunlap is close to Signal Mountain.
Could this be the source of the new information on the old case?
ETA: He was not arrested this week, but last month. It clearly says 6-3-11, and in my head that somehow translated to this week. You know what that means - time to get some sleep! Sorry for the confusion, but I don't think it changes much anyhow. It could still be the impetus for the new info on the old case.