RSBM
IMO he was concocting that grand plan to be the "hero" and solve the mystery. He organized a search that lo and behold turned up her cut up debit card, he "found" "her jacket" rolled up in a guy's couch, he recieved a "tip" from a mystery woman which led to finding clothes strewed alongside the road, and I really believe his intention was to eventually lead a search which would find her remains. Remember that weird statement he made using the words "uncover?" Something like the truth would be "uncovered." Any moron who was trying to conceal a body would have hidden it anywhere other than right outside the back of a house. There was a shed on that property. Even a lazy moron would have hidden a body in the shed. If they wanted to exert a bit more effort and bury the body they would have gone a few yards into the woods behind the house. But no, I think his plan was to "uncover" her and solve the mystery.
I'm telling you, he was giving up clues in all his stupid ramblings.
Just like this that Vail mentions:
Why all the blabbering on about a gas station?? They "met at a gas station," the road the clothes were on was around some gas station...A gas station is significant. Why?? Did he purchase something at a gas station that will tie him to this crime?? Was there a hand-off of some sort at a gas station?? It's important because he is fixated on it. Just like the times he mentions. He fixates on the details that are significant somehow. We just have to figure out how they fit in.