Found Deceased CA - Fang Jin, 47, flew to LA from China, train to Palm Springs, Morongo Basin, 21 Jul 2023, w/ John Root Fitzpatrick, 55, (fnd dec.), 30 Jul ‘23 #2

[mark1969]

Search warrant mentioned SD card from Ring Cam. As someone who owns Ring Cams, the photos of JF cleaning look like they were taken from a Ring Cam.

Regarding statement in Search Warrant "Deputies were in the Roadrunner Mobile Home Park and spoke to Fitzpatrick, who had an unknown Asian female with him." I believe this sentence was tacked on the end. (My personal opinion from reading many many police reports.) And that it does not correlate to a specific date. Likely possibility is one of the deputies who went to serve the search warrant remembered being in the area previously (on patrol, responding to an unrelated call, etc) and spoke to JRF. It is very common for a patrolling deputy to stop and talk to someone who is outside.

Regarding skeletonization...this is an excellent article. Temperature and humidity play a huge factor. The storm that went through likely spend up the process. In general, according to the graphic, it would be 100-150 days to skeletonization on average for this area. With the rate accelerated, it would fall within the timeframe if he died at the same time he and JF were thought to have gone missing.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665910723000166

Regarding July 24th phone ping. The SBCSD specifically said they are unable to confirm this ping. Since the information was reported in the Chinese media based off hearsay from a family member, who was told by a park ranger, who was told by a law enforcement officer...I would say this information should not be heavily relied upon. While I do believe the ping likely occurred given it generally corresponds with the area he was found, the date could be incorrect, as well as the exact location.

“The missing person case for Fang Jin remains open. There are no updates at this time. The investigators are aware of the video and believe it was the last communication Jin’s family received from her. We did not receive any phone pings from Jin’s phone,” San Bernardino Sheriff spokesperson Mara Rodriguez wrote.
Additionally, the spokesperson said she could not confirm reports that John Fitzpatrick's cell phone last pinged in Julian.

Family notified ex Navy SEAL found dead in desert, female companion still missing

Bones found in the Harper Canyon area of Anza-Borrego on September 17.

www.cbs8.com

The search warrant was signed by Tyler Bengard. Does anyone else recognize this name? He was the Detective on another case and I can't place which case at the moment.

Park Ranger Miles from Joshua Tree confirmed to friend of Lin the pinging of the phone in Julian at 24th of July

 

[mark1969]

As usual, spot on and I agree with your comments.

Speculation: The iPhones mentioned in Search Warrant are likely older phones belonging to JRF but the devices might potentially have info on communications during the past 6 months.

The info on facts we thought were accurate need another review, from the day she landed- the specifics of the truck being captured on CCTV is good starting point for backing into the Thermal and Julian connections. The details of a Park Ranger originated from a source with knowledge of investigation, which makes me think there’s some truth just not sure what.

Conflicting info on whether she traveled to Palm Springs the day after she arrived in Los Angles (friend dropped her off at hotel) or if she went on same day of arrival in California. CBS uncovered the details of hotel and the friend, although not confirmed by LE there’s appears now to be evidence supporting she traveled by bus the next day and met JRF.

detailed exact update to all of Fangs first days in USA :

7/14
Midnight- Arrived at LAX Terminal 3, picked up by friend Chinese friend

7/15
01hr00 – Chinese friend dropped off FJ @ Freehand Hotel in downtown L.A.
09hr13 – Wechat audio talk with Belgian Chinese friend who was traveling in US E coast then. This talk last for 26minutes.
12hr00 - went to Union Station, took a bus & arrived at Agua Caliente Casino, Palm Springs bus stop, where she was picked up by John Root Fitzpatrick

7/16 – Visited JT Park, keeping in contact w/family & friends by phone & social media

7/17
10hr26 – exchange Wechat messages with daughter Lin
Made a phone call to her Chinese friend who picked her up at airport, talked over 10 minutes & stated “everything is ok”
(by Decalaration of Daryl Hoss we know that Daryl visited the trailer home where John and Fang were staying)

7/18 - No contact, photos or videos this day

7/19 - Visited more scenic sites in the area, sending videos & photos. Fang tried to contact her daughter Emma in Belgium but Emma was not able to answer her call.

7/20 - Same as 7/19

7/21 - Visited Ivanhoe Mine Rd. (Old Dale Mining District)
22hr15: sent out last video to family wechat group(group of 4 people including parents, Lin and FJ herself) from 29 Palms (Adobe Rd. going N from Whites Sands Dr. to Desert Sands Dr. to Palms Baptist Church); Together with this video there is a message saying that ‘this is a small town in the desert, there are quite many lights during this hour…….we plan to go camping. this is FJ’s last known location
22hr19: Same last video and same message was sent via Wechat messeger to wife of the chinese friend that picked her at airport. However that person said that in the past FJ never sent to her any wechat messege or video. this is FJ’s last phone message
22hr19: JRF entered MCAGCC 29palms, he registered for his own entrance

 

[Dhighsmith]

So I did find the divorce proceedings with JRF and his wife. They began in June of 2020 and I'm not sure what happened, but he filed again in Feb 2023. The misdemeanor vandalism charge was filed in August of that same year of the initial divorce proceedings of 2020. Here are the links.
The divorce proceedings:

FITZPATRICK, HONG HUO VS FITZPATRICK, JOHN ROOT

On 06/30/2020 FITZPATRICK, HONG HUO filed a Family - Legal Separation court case against FITZPATRICK, JOHN ROOT in Los Angeles County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Pomona Courthouse South.

unicourt.com

John Fitzpatrick -v- Hong Huo

On 02/09/2023 John Fitzpatrick filed a Family - Marriage Dissolution/Divorce court case against Hong Huo in San Bernardino County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Joshua Tree Courthouse.

unicourt.com

And the vandalism charge:

The People of the State of California vs. JOHN ROOT FITZPATRICK

On 08/26/2020 The People of the State of California filed an Other - Other Criminal court case against JOHN ROOT FITZPATRICK in San Bernardino County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Joshua Tree Courthouse.

unicourt.com

Those familiar with California family law, is it standard to issue restraining order against parties in divorce proceeding?

 

[TerriB9607]

Those familiar with California family law, is it standard to issue restraining order against parties in divorce proceeding?

I know in Ohio, it is common. The purpose for restraining orders in a divorce is to essentially maintain the “status quo” of finances, assets, insurance coverages, etc. I am not sure if that is common in Cali also.

 

[Dhighsmith]

I know in Ohio, it is common. The purpose for restraining orders in a divorce is to essentially maintain the “status quo” of finances, assets, insurance coverages, etc. I am not sure if that is common in Cali also.

That’s what I’m thinking as well, I’ve seen in Georgia too.

 

[Dhighsmith]

So I did find the divorce proceedings with JRF and his wife. They began in June of 2020 and I'm not sure what happened, but he filed again in Feb 2023. The misdemeanor vandalism charge was filed in August of that same year of the initial divorce proceedings of 2020. Here are the links.
The divorce proceedings:

FITZPATRICK, HONG HUO VS FITZPATRICK, JOHN ROOT

On 06/30/2020 FITZPATRICK, HONG HUO filed a Family - Legal Separation court case against FITZPATRICK, JOHN ROOT in Los Angeles County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Pomona Courthouse South.

unicourt.com

John Fitzpatrick -v- Hong Huo

On 02/09/2023 John Fitzpatrick filed a Family - Marriage Dissolution/Divorce court case against Hong Huo in San Bernardino County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Joshua Tree Courthouse.

unicourt.com

And the vandalism charge:

The People of the State of California vs. JOHN ROOT FITZPATRICK

On 08/26/2020 The People of the State of California filed an Other - Other Criminal court case against JOHN ROOT FITZPATRICK in San Bernardino County Superior Courts. Court records for this case are available from Joshua Tree Courthouse.

unicourt.com

I’ve attempted accessing databases but my privileges no longer valid since retiring, details of prior court proceedings would be helpful in cases like this.

 

[Sundog]

There is indeed a possibility that that video was not taken by her but for example by a friend of John or by her but in a panic way or by her in a forced "ductaped" way ...

Didn't one of the media interviews with DH (friend of JRF) state that DH said that JRF's plans were to go camping in the desert? Similar descripton to Fang Jin's in her last contact with family and friends. I will have to go back and check the media articles.

I wonder why DH reported JRF missing on July 31st. They were already gone for about 10 days, and according to him, they were camping in the desert. Did he expect JRF to be back sooner? Did he know when they left? Why did he report JRF as a missing person? Since JRF was with his guest/friend Fang Jin, couldn't JRF have just changed his plans and they could have decided to go up the coast or something and not have mentioned this to DH? DH seems to have known a lot about JRF's plans/schedule.

I wish some reporter/journalist would ask DH some detailed questions when he gives them interviews and probe a little more.

The good thing is that law enforcement don't usually rule anyone out when they do a homicide investigation, including family and close friends. I hope they are checking the phones of both JRF and DH to see how often they were in communication with each other, and if there are text messages, I hope they are checking those as well.

At this point, even though there is a lot we don't know, I hope LE are not ruling anyone out. They need to find Fang Jin, find out what has happened to her.

 

[Dhighsmith]

Didn't one of the media interviews with DH (friend of JRF) state that DH said that JRF's plans were to go camping in the desert? Similar descripton to Fang Jin's in her last contact with family and friends. I will have to go back and check how the media articles.

I wonder why DH reported JRF missing on July 31st. They were already gone for about 10 days, and according to him, they were camping in the desert. Did he expect JRF to be back sooner? Did he know when they left? Why did he report JRF as a missing person? Since JRF was with his guest/friend Fang Jin, couldn't JRF have just changed his plans and they could have decided to to inland and up the coast or something and not have mentioned this to DH? DH seems to have known a lot about JRF's plans/schedule.

I wish some reporter/journalist would ask DH some detailed questions when he gives them interviews and probe a little more.

The good thing is that law enforcement don't usually rule anyone out when they do a homicide investigation, including family and close friends. I hope they are checking the phones of both JRF and DH to see how often they were in communication with each other, and if there are text messages, I hope they are checking those as well.

At this point, even though there is a lot we don't know, I hope LE are not ruling anyone out. They need to find Fang Jin, find out what has happened to her.

That’s my question too, what raised alarms for him? It’s possible he discovered the missing persons report on JF and that triggered his concern.

 

[megs1477]

BBM
FWIW

Found Safe - CA - Nathan Otto, 56, didn't return from dirt bike ride, Morongo Basin, San Bernardino Co., 26 Dec 2022

A man last seen riding his dirt bike in Morongo Basin remains missing, authorities announced. Nathan F. Otto, 56, did not return home after riding his bike in the area on Dec. 26. Otto is described as 5 foot, 11 inches tall, weighing approximately 175 pounds with blonde hair and blue eyes. He...

www.websleuths.com

Thanks you…that’s not it though. I’ve never heard of that case. This is going to drive me crazy.

Our VI has said Fang had a Huawei phone.
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ssing-30-jul-‘23.686274/page-55#post-18548467

And regarding the Thermal, CA sighting, on Sunday our VI said:
”Morongo Sheriff found surveillance camera pics of Johns Toyota in Thermal on 22nd of July.
And Joshua Parkranger teaced cellphone ping of John in Julian on 24th of july....”
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...dec-30-jul-‘23-2.692767/page-15#post-18560601

I think when asked, the Sheriff’s office won’t confirm those, but I don’t have the link, at the moment.

The refusal to confirm was in the CBS8 print story linked numerous times.

Wasn’t it already confirmed that DH took those photos of Jin cleaning from his phone and gave them to LE?

I have not seen anything regarding the source of the photos. There was a lot of speculation but no proof.

 

[I'm Nobody]

That’s my question too, what raised alarms for him? It’s possible he discovered the missing persons report on JF and that triggered his concern.

DH & JRF served in the Navy together according to the San Diego Union Tribute Story here.
Anything is possible but these guys have a bond few of us can imagine. IME with Vets, a helicopter VietNam pilot partner who would scream "incoming" during his night terrors. He finally realized he had PTSD & went to classes at local VA. My WWII father, a non-drinking Marine, never once talked about his war experiences with me or Mom but spent way too much time at the Legion with his buddies according to my mother. Yes, PTSD is real. I was wondering if DH & JRF may have been in program/s together and when JRF didn't show up, it concerned DH enough to report him missing.
Speculation, MOO

 

[Quiet Time]

Those familiar with California family law, is it standard to issue restraining order against parties in divorce proceeding?

From what I know, and I'm not a lawyer, but, normally restraining orders are issued when there has been some sort of domestic issue. Violence, stalking, or threats to the other party.

Or it may stem from a custody issue, with the above mentioned involved.

Sometimes they help, sometimes they don't.

imo

 

[crhedBngr]

Our VI has said Fang had a Huawei phone.
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ssing-30-jul-‘23.686274/page-55#post-18548467

And regarding the Thermal, CA sighting, on Sunday our VI said:
”Morongo Sheriff found surveillance camera pics of Johns Toyota in Thermal on 22nd of July.
And Joshua Parkranger teaced cellphone ping of John in Julian on 24th of july....”
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...dec-30-jul-‘23-2.692767/page-15#post-18560601

I think when asked, the Sheriff’s office won’t confirm those, but I don’t have the link, at the moment.

Great information; thank you.

JMVHO.

 

[crhedBngr]

There is indeed a possibility that that video was not taken by her but for example by a friend of John or by her but in a panic way or by her in a forced "ductaped" way ...

Very, very worrisome.

And, this:

22hr19: Same last video and same message was sent via Wechat messeger to wife of the chinese friend that picked her at airport. However that person said that in the past FJ never sent to her any wechat messege or video.

Above RBBM.

JMVHO.

 

[Centaurus]

I have not seen anything regarding the source of the photos. There was a lot of speculation but no proof.

Family notified ex Navy SEAL found dead in desert, female companion still missing

Bones found in the Harper Canyon area of Anza-Borrego on September 17.

www.cbs8.com

"Jin was staying at the mobile home with Fitzpatrick. Photographs obtained from a friend of Fitzpatrick showed Jin cleaning inside the mobile home."

Since DH has been the only friend of JRF to come forward, I'm assuming he took the photos?

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

From what I know, and I'm not a lawyer, but, normally restraining orders are issued when there has been some sort of domestic issue. Violence, stalking, or threats to the other party.

Or it may stem from a custody issue, with the above mentioned involved.

Sometimes they help, sometimes they don't.

imo

There are a hundred different variations in ways to explain this, the important thing is, that restraining orders are often mistakenly assumed to be related to domestic violence.

A restraining order can be for many actions having nothing to do with personal relationships. A "divorce" restraining order instructs the parties to behave, not bad mouth each other to the children, not send nasty emails, don't cash out your 401K, and a hundred other things.

No contact orders/protection orders for domestic violence, threats, etc, violations are crimes that often result in arrests and prosecution. Many states issue these orders without evidence, based on written statements by the applicant for circumstances amounting to less than a criminal act. Criminal domestic violence orders are applied for and issued separately from the civil divorce action, almost always.

Many states also use the terms restraining/anti-harassment/no-contact orders for non-domestic relationships.

Restraining orders (in most states) are civil and commonly, but not always, standard in a divorce. A violation is usually treated as contempt of court, a civil remedy. Any type of conflict has the ability to require one or the other or both types of orders. MOO from years of experience in courtrooms and serving orders.

 

[LucyOso]

The man who said he found the bones told CBS 8 the remains were located in Harper Canyon several miles away from Harper Flats. He also said an officer who responded to the scene told him Fitzpatrick's truck had been found previously, "pretty wrecked." The man did not know the exact date the truck had been found.

I wonder if this means rolled/crashed or vandalized?

Family notified ex Navy SEAL found dead in desert, female companion still missing

Bones found in the Harper Canyon area of Anza-Borrego on September 17.

www.cbs8.com

 

[vls12345]

Chinese woman remains missing, while her boyfriend was found dead in San Diego County

A Chinese woman who toured the Mojave Desert remains missing, while her boyfriend from San Bernardino County was found dead in San Diego County

www.vvdailypress.com

 

[AnyNameIWish]

Those familiar with California family law, is it standard to issue restraining order against parties in divorce proceeding?

No. It's not standard issue. If there is a history of DV then the judge can grant one, but it's not part and parcel of a divorce proceeding in California.

 

[Sundog]

DH & JRF served in the Navy together according to the San Diego Union Tribute Story here.
Anything is possible but these guys have a bond few of us can imagine. IME with Vets, a helicopter VietNam pilot partner who would scream "incoming" during his night terrors. He finally realized he had PTSD & went to classes at local VA. My WWII father, a non-drinking Marine, never once talked about his war experiences with me or Mom but spent way too much time at the Legion with his buddies according to my mother. Yes, PTSD is real. I was wondering if DH & JRF may have been in program/s together and when JRF didn't show up, it concerned DH enough to report him missing.
Speculation, MOO

Is it possible that JRF's friend was jealous of JRF's new friendship with FJ, given their closeness? And, if so, could that have led to an argument with JRF?

I just don't see JRF committing suicide unless, perhaps, he wasn't lucid but in a drug-induced state.

Just my opinion, for now.

 

[I'm Nobody]

The man who said he found the bones told CBS 8 the remains were located in Harper Canyon several miles away from Harper Flats. He also said an officer who responded to the scene told him Fitzpatrick's truck had been found previously, "pretty wrecked." The man did not know the exact date the truck had been found.

I wonder if this means rolled/crashed or vandalized?

Family notified ex Navy SEAL found dead in desert, female companion still missing

Bones found in the Harper Canyon area of Anza-Borrego on September 17.

www.cbs8.com

BBM. I wonder if the truck wreck is how JRF's teeth were knocked out?
TRICARE, military health insurance, has good dental for Vets/retired military. They also keep records that can be accessed worldwide. They would have had or would have been able to locate his dental records if JRF had a denture/partial placed before. IMO Whatever happened to JRF's teeth happened that night -- his last night.

All MOO