This is just my opinion but I've always thought the killer was probably from the Rockingham County area, and knew it well. I'm not from the area, but when I look at a map of where the Short's house was and then where Jennifer's body was found I get the feeling that whoever left her body there was familiar with the back roads, etc., and maybe lived in the area. I can't imagine that an out-of-state killer would pick that spot, or even know about it. Just my speculation but perhaps the guy traveled frequently on Route 220, maybe stopped at the convenience store from time to time for coffee, etc. and maybe saw Jennifer there. The only scenario that makes sense to me is that Jennifer was always the target and it was meticulously planned. The parents were killed because they were in the way. I've always thought he acted alone. He was arrogant and narcissistic. Just my opinion.