I have always wondered how many men there are in the world who are perhaps not the planner-stalker type like Ted Bundy, but who are just evil and bold enough to pounce on an opportunity when one comes along. When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I was much more outgoing with strangers, and I might have even told an interested person that I was doing something really cool, like roadtripping alone without even considering the repercussions. I strongly suspect that Leah told the man at the bar about her trip and her plans and that he gave her some "helpful hint" on a good place to sleep that night, and that in the morning she could get up early and be on her way. The older I get, the more I believe that there is a certain percentage of men in the world who are always on the lookout for women who are alone and with no protection. I don't think these men are serial killers, and I don't think they would break into a house and rape a woman there. They don't arrange "dates" with prostitutes and kill them. They are just always sniffing out women they can potentially get their hands on. I bet a lot of women here have had encounters with men like this - I know I have. Once they found out you were alone or travelling alone, their demeanor changed.
I am totally convinced that Leah met with foul play and that she was somehow set up to be in a place where she would be completely alone and without any protection at all. The location of her vehicle is just too odd otherwise. Someone must have told about that place and how to get there. This was before smart phones and google satellite maps. I am just not seeing how Leah could have found that road unless some local gave her tip-off about it.
