Not sure if this was mentioned before, but the Moon Phase Calendar for Reno in 1982 shows that July 16th had only a sliver of moon. 22%. At that luminance level in a remote area (without other light sources) they would have been stumbling around in the dark. So if she was killed that night, I take it to mean that the killer knew this area very well, and/or that he was probably carrying a flashlight. I doubt she carried the flashlight, because it would give her some level of control, and an opportunity to escape. That said, I think she was was most likely forced there at gunpoint (most likely a small caliber handgun). My thought is that even if she knew her murderer ( let's say 'husband') who tried to dupe her into going on a midnight hike by saying, "Come on, honey, let's get out here and walk this cold lonely dark meadow path, just for ****s & giggles." Her most likely response would have been, "Uh, uh, NO WAY I'm going in there, it's too dark and I'm freezing!."
She may have been acquainted with her killer, but I don't think he was a lover or spouse. She was executed. To the back of the head. It appears impersonal to me, like a job. Whereas, a personal attack based on the anger a betrayed or vindictive lover/spouse might display is more likely face to face-- Waving the gun in front of her nose, yelling at her, "YOU did this" and "YOU did that" and "now YOU will pay" kind of thing.
Association with organized crime/drugs or prostitution human/trafficking seem more likely,
but this is all just my very unprofessional opinion.
