From what I can figure out (and understand that I've done easily two thousand miles on this trail) this happened at a point that was about 1, 1.5 miles from parking lots/trailheads in either direction. I believe it was near a railroad crossing. There are houses right up along the trail in that section too.

Now, here are two thoughts that i'm putting together. A few weeks ago, I was out there (alone, again...) and right in this area was a bunch of police activity. Nothing like cruising along and coming around a bend to see a police cruiser in the middle of the trail. There were a few unmarked police cars off the side of the trail. I never heard what they were doing or what they were looking for. I wonder if something occurred then that gave them a clue to what happened on Tuesday, since they seem to already have a 'person of interest' in this case.

Edit to add: I always thought that this trail was pretty off in the woods, but I've recently realized that a major roadway runs right along side of it in most areas - probably just a couple of hundred feet away. The dense foliage keeps the road hidden from the trail, and unfortunately, the trail hidden from the road.