I've described leaving Froggy's before. You have to make a right out of the parking lot (which technically it's the parking lot of the building's next to the bar since the bar doesn't have it's own entrance). There is a light pretty much immediately after exiting. (Maybe 200-300 feet). However, I'm not sure you can make a U-turn at this light. I guess based on the law and no-signs you COULD, but I don't ever see anyone make that U-turn. That's right at the 295 interchange. About another 500 feet up or so is the next light which is at Andrews Rd. If I was driving to Kelli's apartments I would go to this light to make the U-turn and head S on Ramsey. It's literally 2 minutes, if you catch the lights.
I've also stated previously that there's lots of ways anyone could have gone, without being under observation from cameras from Froggy's. One would be Andrews. It leads out to McArthur which can take you to Spring Lake (either 210, Bragg Blvd., or Ft. Bragg itself, Smith Lake, and it can even cut you further down Ramsey St. It really depends where you are heading and if you are trying to avoid traffic. However, at that time of night, there isn't much traffic on Ramsey. I don't know if Nick took Andrews or not, but if you look at the map, you can see the places he could head to. A lot of the roads off of Andrews, McArthur, etc are rural roads with trees upon trees or cut through neighborhoods.
There's a homeless issue in Fayetteville, so bodies, they happen. I know that sounds harsh, but it's the reality of the situation. There's also a drug problem here, so you get the same affect. It's definitely worse than some, but better than others. It's really relative.
In regards to the river, well - as far as I know, the river was searched, but not thoroughly as you would suspect. There are alligators. Are they big enough to eat a human? IDK. It wasn't very warm that night or the few nights following and my understanding is they eat more on warm nights. I also understand they will eat decaying flesh and they digest everything, including bones. So if that's the case, it's possible, but with Heather Smith's body being found there, not long after Kelli disappeared, with it being warmer, I'm not so sure this happened. I really don't know. I do think the river is a possibility.
As far as updates go, I don't really talk to too many people from Froggy's anymore. If I do, it's more of a hey how are you if I run into them at the store or something. I hear occasional bits of drama and gossip that are unrelated to Kelli, but that's about it. I haven't heard a status updated on Nick in months and Steph's still in jail. Mandy's business is her business because I believe she is a victim in this as well. I do know that employees, especially the two working that night, feel this event has touched them and made them look at life a bit differently. The same can be said for many of the patrons, including the bikers. (I know there was talk about the bikers who frequented that place. Just thought I'd let you know they recently had a toy-ride. One dressed as Santa and they all got on their bikes with sacks of toys they purchased and rode to local shelters and churches giving out the toys to children who need them.)