So he did check in with the Morgan Co Sheriff on February 7 and 14, which were Tuesdays. All week I've been pondering what could've brought DN to Delphi. His confirmed check-in dates change things up now.
I have run all kinds of scenarios through my head many of them don't work now because of his documented presence in Morgan County on the 7th and 14th.
I've eliminated any kind of structured work with a regular schedule (Packers plant or construction at Purdue/Lafayette was going on last winter). Drug screen required, ID and SS# for taxes, possibly a background check. And he would've had to pull off the weekday absence to travel to Morgan Co on Tuesday 2/7 to check-in. Unless he called off. But then he would've been absent again Monday 2/13. Unless he was working a 6AM -2 PM construction shift. Either way, he disappeared after 2/13. One would think given the local murders and his immediate disappearance that would be a red flag to co-workers and/or employer, in which case they'd be able to ID him to LE.
I've very difficult to envision him being unemployed, homeless and drawn to staying outdoors near Delphi. That area has some locally known recreational lakes and county parks, but mostly it's vast flat farmland with small towns. Not really known as 'the great outdoors' of Indiana. If that's what he wanted, Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana would seem more of a draw for him. Two locations, HNF has massive hills, thick forests, rugged terrain. Depending on which one he went to, he could be 40 miles or 70 miles due south of Morgan County. Versus traveling 100 miles north to Delphi area. Unless something has happened with him in/near HNF and it was too risky for him to go back.
So why Delphi?
Did he somehow land at RL's place doing odd jobs? If the Martinsville farmer/employer didn't know his background maybe RL didn't either. Maybe he lied and told RL he had visitation with his child on Tuesdays, RL bought it and loaned him a vehicle for the day, which he used to make the trip to Morgan Co. on the 7th. The week goes on, marital stresses were building up, nicer day on the 13th, RL is in Lafayette, DN walked across the road to the trails to do his favorite thing (exposing himself), girls were a chance encounter, the switch was tripped. Then he got out of dodge in time to check-in on the 14th. This could explain LE being all over RL's buildings, RL's "in your own house" comment and towing of RL's truck?
The only other scenario I can come up with to put him in Delphi was that he was deliberately stalking young girls on SM. Logistically it would've been easier to stalk someone closer to Morgan Co given the check-ins, but then if he was planning something, he'd be too close to the scene. So did plan this well in advance and arrange a meeting, the girls innocently thinking they were meeting a boy from SM? (ETA: this would've been a more spontaneous meeting and created a quick trip up to Delphi due to school being off, but SO's have been known to travel distances to meet prey. Then there is the means of getting there, car or hitchhike?)
The above isn't really anything new. To me the verified check-ins on 2/7 & 2/14 create more of a puzzle if anything. If you read all this, thanks for indulging.
