My hypothesis is, that a TO destination like Torno etc. marks a starting point, or an intermediate point of a trail, which may lead to further findings, like Inra bases e.g..
The mysterious stranger gives us a initial hint from there we can start our search. The messages form the storyline behind the trail.
The distances may be different for each trail, but in case of the, let's call it 'Inra trail', John Jamesons Cobra might have been the 'distance giver' of around 20 ly.
Here is again a part of the Inra trail: HIP 6324 <- 22,97 ly -> Jang O <- 20,59 ly -> Takan <- 22,58 -> 12 Trianguli <- 19,8 ly -> Paestae <- 22,79 lx -> HIP 12314 <- 21,99 ly -> HIP 12099
So it is possible that the messages from these sites tell the story of John Jameson and finally lead to his crash site, or even further to all Inra bases in this sector (which I still try to figure out at the moment).
If a different TO leads to a ship crash site, the crashed wreck could be the distance giver. I'm not sure whether it is always ~20 ly.
The hypothesis is still fresh and there is still a lot unclear, which has to be figured out. But, at least I hope so, there is also something to find along