Sounds like he wanted to be caught.
Yeah, this is info I had not heard - I saw him claiming on the news (ala O.J. Simpson style) he was searching the area with friends because he knew the territory, but is this the tip that led the deputy to the sinkhole? The news made it sound like the LEO decided to search it on his own - not that it matters, I’m glad he found the body.
For some of these weirdos getting caught is part of the high.They want everyone to know what they did.If it were practical they would prefer to perform their deeds on a stage in front of a large audience. They have no notion of future so paying for their crimes is simply not something that they can see or think about. They only worry about being able to get it done right now.