Otto, the phone was found around the same area where Taylor was found, so not that far away. Once the family and friends were told where the cellphone was found, they started looking for Taylor in that area, and it was Taylor's bf who discovered her.
What IMO makes the investigation even more complicated, is the fact that it was Halloween night, and IMO it could be possible the perp(s) was also in costume! If it was someone wearing a long coat or cloak, a mask, wig, and/or heavy makeup, I'm thinking that perhaps Taylor was not initially that scared, maybe thinking it was one of her friends, and laughing it off, hence her "I'm being creeped" message, instead of a "Help"..... all just my humble opinion.