Like you pointed out before, the victim is usually found by hunters, hikers or someone walking their dog.
Sometimes, when LE has a solid case and has made an arrest, the killer will take LE to the body so they don't get the death sentence.
I recall a case in AZ (I think) where the victim's brother never gave up searching for his sister. He kept searching the desert every weekend, keeping track of ground he already covered. One day, maybe after two years?, he came across a human skeleton and tests revealed he had found his sister. This case was covered on ID channel. Wish I knew the name - gave me goosebumps though.
Foxfire posts often that a victim will communicate/call out to be found. One day I read that comment again and thought "not so sure about that" because too many cases I followed/follow the victim is still missing. I swear the very next week, Kelli Bordeaux and Holly Bobo were found after a long time and both had extensive searches. Yet, the mass searches didn't result in finding their remains.
I'm just talking. Remember the young college girl in AZ who was 'released' from the dump spot via the wash after heavy rains? Sometimes nature will disrupt a hiding place.