Not saying this is the case here, but LE has to secure a warrant to get cellphone info from the provider. Sometimes this takes time (38 days would be an extra long time imo, in JR's case it took under a week iirc?). Yes, if the victim is still alive, timing is indeed crucial.
Also, with regards to leads (not specifically pings), they are often "prioritized" by LE; who knows when they decide to follow up on whatever leads, sometimes they can be a lot of tips to weed through. In Jessica R's case it was thousands, iirc. Again, not saying this is the case here, but you see these horror stories on TV crime shows about potential leads that sit on a desk for who knows how long.
Eta: I think LE has likely been on top of things here from the beginning in this case. But there was this one case here where a family member was trying to find his/her loved one a long time ago, I can't remember which state it was (again VA mp cases that I've seen seem to have been handled quite well recently imo). They filed a mp report, but the detective on the case then went on vacation for a week!
, but IIRC and am not dreaming this he disposed of her in a dumpster...maybe I'm imagining this but they brought him to the landfill to search??
