One has to wonder what sort of story or stories he had been working on prior to his disappearance.
One imagines any investigation into his death would need to look at that. But such is not for the faint-hearted.
Yes and why didn’t he take his cell phone.
Unlike MSM reporters, WSJ reporters are known to actually practice journalism.
“David Bird, Missing Wall Street Journal Reporter, Foresaw an Oil Crash”
http://wallstreetonparade.com/2014/12/david-bird-missing-wall-street-journal-reporter-foresaw-an-oil-crash/