Isn't a common practice for serial killer coverage to be limited? I thought this was intentional to not influence copy-cats and other mis/dis-information which muddy the investigation.

While withholding some details happens in murder cases, this is the first I've heard of there being voluntary editorial standards that restrict information about the murders of serial killers. In fact, you'd generally think there'd be a voluntary policy to do the opposite given their prevalence in modern media.

My understanding is that it's more of the cops withholding information than it is the media exercising restraint.