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 #3

[imstilla.grandma]

Fang Jin, 47-year-old, missing since around July 22, 2023.

<more at link>

If you have information contact detective Tyler Bengard ((760) 366-4175 or (909) 387-8313) and reference report number 092301014.

Woman disappears on trip to Morongo Basin

MORONGO BASIN — The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating missing woman Fang Jin, a 47-year-old last heard from on July 22.

www.hidesertstar.com

Thread #1
Thread #2

 

[Knitty]

MOD NOTE:

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Thanks,

Knitty,
Moderator

 

[slowpoke]

From the Hi-Desert Star article:
”A caption to the video was shared separately, Schmidt said. His wife translated it from Chinese as, “This is a small town in the desert. At night there are a lot of lights. …… Preparing to go camping.”
Schmidt called the video “ominous.” Why would they go camping after dark? Where were they headed?”

The way I see it, when I read where she wrote “….Preparing to go camping” doesn’t necessarily mean they were at that very moment in the video leaving for camping. The word “preparing” to me would imply getting ready for something that will happen later. If they did go onto the base right after that video was made in order to gas up (we don’t know the reason he entered the base), fueling up the truck could be considered part of preparing for a trip, say, the next day, for example.

But, as I said in my prior post, maybe she wasn’t really camping at all. Maybe they were filling up the truck to ready it for the next day‘s plan of sight-seeing, but would be going back to JRF’s home to sleep that night after getting gas, first.

MOO

 

[Megnut]

From the Hi-Desert Star article:
”A caption to the video was shared separately, Schmidt said. His wife translated it from Chinese as, “This is a small town in the desert. At night there are a lot of lights. …… Preparing to go camping.”
Schmidt called the video “ominous.” Why would they go camping after dark? Where were they headed?”

The way I see it, when I read where she wrote “….Preparing to go camping” doesn’t necessarily mean they were at that very moment in the video leaving for camping. The word “preparing” to me would imply getting ready for something that will happen later. If they did go onto the base right after that video was made in order to gas up (we don’t know the reason he entered the base), fueling up the truck could be considered part of preparing for a trip, say, the next day, for example.

But, as I said in my prior post, maybe she wasn’t really camping at all. Maybe they were filling up the truck to ready it for the next day‘s plan of sight-seeing, but would be going back to JRF’s home to sleep that night after getting gas, first.

MOO

This supports the idea that they were in fact night camping! Avoiding the impossible heat of day, seeking the still darkness of remote sights, like budding astronomers!

Stargazers! That would be lovely, I imagine.

Until something went horribly wrong.

Jmo

 

[10ofRods]

I wouldn’t be surprised if it is erroneous or inaccurate. We’ve had so many errors with translation of time, words…

Maybe JFR’s family was contacted because the body is suspected of being JFR (the ID on him and the truck somewhat nearby, but since they are unable to identify him through fingerprints or teeth, they needed dna from a family member in order to attempt a positive identification. I don’t know how long testing can take, but maybe that’s where it stands.

So, maybe, maybe not— true. It could go either way In this case they way it’s been going thus far!
MOO

Not sure where they're going to find DNA in the skeletonized remains (it's usually in the teeth - that's one of the secondary advantages of finding teeth).

I didn't see any long bones, but if the teeth are gone (they fell out during skeletonization), it's unlikely much bone marrow remains. I try to be optimistic. But, really, I can look at a skull and do a sketch of what the face might look like (as can most forensic anthropologists - I trained before we used DNA). That combined with finding ID nearby and the truck not too far away would be enough for a preliminary identification for most coroners. It looked to me as if the skull was completely bare and devoid of hair. But facial dimensions and eye socket shape tell a great deal, and so does the overall profile of the skull (length of upper lip, facial flatness, projection of the nose). If they get a forensic anthropologist to do one of several different reconstructive techniques, that would provide the identity as well (today, a lot of facial reconstructions are done initially by computer, and there are programs that allow such factors as weight to be applied to the facial data).

Hopefully there *is* DNA (and there are expensive, complicated techniques for trying to get a DNA profile from a skeleton, but I do believe that common sense gave the Coroner enough to notify the family of the missing man - probably saying "pending final confirmation by a medical examiner. It's possible that JRF had other identifying features in parts of his skeleton. Here's an article that shows that complicated process:

Comparison of three methods of DNA extraction from human bones with different degrees of degradation - International Journal of Legal Medicine

There is a necessity for deceased identification as a result of many accidents and sometimes bones are the only accessible source of DNA. So far, a universal method that allows for extraction of DNA from materials at different stages of degradation does not exist. The aims of this study were...

link.springer.com

There have been advances in amplifying whatever DNA can be extracted in a situation like this since 2011, but it is going to take true expertise by top DNA specialists to do it. I figure they've already scanned the skull and sent it to the forensic anthropology lab, where a scan in a 3D MRI-type device feeds the skull dimensions into a complex algorithm and produces a face.

 

[10ofRods]

SInce we believe that John did NOT have wechat on his phone , we also believe that he did not would have pretended by using her wechat how to put moments and send pictures with chinese comments..... So we believe for 80% that she handled herselve her own wechat account probably by her own cellphone ....

A great calculation, Mark. I'd place it even a bit higher (90%) but I appreciate you being circumspect.

I am beginning to think that something happened to Fang between 11 pm on the 21st and the next morning (and she was left behind at the mobile home while JRF went to Thermal, perhaps trying to establish that "they" were camping as she had indicated to family). It worked, because most of us assumed they might both have been in Thermal. I no longer believe that with high probability. We have two full days of JRF activity mostly unaccounted for, except that his phone pings off Julian on the 24th (but where was he and what was he doing from late evening on the 21st until that last ping??)

Driving at the speed limit, it's only 45 minutes from Morongo Valley to Thermal area, driving the way most Californians do, it's less than that - at night, one can probably do it easily in 35 minutes. I do wonder if JRF leftv on the 22nd, as planned. I also wonder if DH knew quite a bit more about everything than we realize, as he may have stopped by the mobile home between the 22nd and the 24th, having not gotten JRF on the phone. If the door was unlocked on August 1 when LE stops by, did DH stop by during that interval where they were missing?

It sounds to me as if the pair really did have plans to camp at Thermal, perhaps even a reservation at one of the campgrounds near a hot spring. But I can't imagine that they planned to be away for days and DH probably knew that.

I am sure that LE are getting telematics from JRF's truck, but that can take some time (often about a month). They may get the data first, then have to hire someone to help coordinate the data with real world geography. I hope and pray that you and your family get answers soon and I"m so, so sorry that you're all going through this.

 

[sfinkz]

From the Hi-Desert Star article:
”A caption to the video was shared separately, Schmidt said. His wife translated it from Chinese as, “This is a small town in the desert. At night there are a lot of lights. …… Preparing to go camping.”
Schmidt called the video “ominous.” Why would they go camping after dark? Where were they headed?”

The way I see it, when I read where she wrote “….Preparing to go camping” doesn’t necessarily mean they were at that very moment in the video leaving for camping. The word “preparing” to me would imply getting ready for something that will happen later. If they did go onto the base right after that video was made in order to gas up (we don’t know the reason he entered the base), fueling up the truck could be considered part of preparing for a trip, say, the next day, for example.

But, as I said in my prior post, maybe she wasn’t really camping at all. Maybe they were filling up the truck to ready it for the next day‘s plan of sight-seeing, but would be going back to JRF’s home to sleep that night after getting gas, first.

MOO

Filling the truck up at the base was, I believe, speculation as a reason to visit the base, as all other services shuttered for the evening.
Previously, our VI hinted JRF was documented as accessing the base at 22:19 7/21. Without having access to JRF's financials, I mistakenly surmised the 22:19 could have been verified by a C/C pump purchase at the closed gas mart.
But we do know now, JRF did visit the base that night. According to the family friend quoted in yesterday's 'Hi-Desert Star' article, JRF did indeed gain entry to the base via Main Gate, the only of three gates open at that late hour, on Adobe Road, 3.5 miles north of where the 7/21 video was filmed. The source claims he discovered this info by contacting MCAGCC29P himself.
Also interesting; our VI indicated earlier that JRF 'registered himself' at base. Unclear what this means exactly but, naturally, they take security at the base seriously. (A car was fired upon last month in broad daylight at same gate for rolling by).
The entry requirements are a bit nebulous for visitors, however. A valid-ID'd individual, for example, can 'vouch' for up to five persons as 'Trusted Travelers'. All foreign nationals are required to present appropriate ID, however.
The 20c/gallon cheaper gas may have been motivation for making the late-night detour to the base on the fateful night both FJ and JRF were documented with their final contact (the sent, disjointed video and the base entry, both within minutes of one another). It may also have been to visit a colleague at one of the thousand residences on base. We do not know. We do not even know if FJ was with JRF when he 'self-registered'.

ETA: Another interesting tidbit I recall from our gracious VI: Regarding the 22:19 video, I believe all recipients were sent the video via app and received instantly at 22:15. At 22:19 it was received by the one member of the group not in China, a U.S. friend, who sounded alarm that never was a previous message sent in that fashion.

 

[slowpoke]

Filling the truck up at the base was, I believe, speculation as a reason to visit the base, as all other services shuttered for the evening.
Previously, our VI hinted JRF was documented as accessing the base at 22:19 7/21. Without having access to JRF's financials, I mistakenly surmised the 22:19 could have been verified by a C/C pump purchase at the closed gas mart.
But we do know now, JRF did visit the base that night. According to the family friend quoted in yesterday's 'Hi-Desert Star' article, JRF did indeed gain entry to the base via Main Gate, the only of three gates open at that late hour, on Adobe Road, 3.5 miles north of where the 7/21 video was filmed. The source claims he discovered this info by contacting MCAGCC29P himself.
Also interesting; our VI indicated earlier that JRF 'registered himself' at base. Unclear what this means exactly but, naturally, they take security at the base seriously. (A car was fired upon last month in broad daylight at same gate for rolling by).
The entry requirements are a bit nebulous for visitors, however. A valid-ID'd individual, for example, can 'vouch' for up to five persons as 'Trusted Travelers'. All foreign nationals are required to present appropriate ID, however.
The 20c/gallon cheaper gas may have been motivation for making the late-night detour to the base on the fateful night both FJ and JRF were documented with their final contact (the sent, disjointed video and the base entry, both within minutes of one another). It may also have been to visit a colleague at one of the thousand residences on base. We do not know. We do not even know if FJ was with JRF when he 'self-registered'.

ETA: Another interesting tidbit I recall from our gracious VI: Regarding the 22:19 video, I believe all recipients were sent the video via app and received instantly at 22:15. At 22:19 it was received by the one member of the group not in China, a U.S. friend, who sounded alarm that never was a previous message sent in that fashion.

We know from the search warrant that Fang likely may have already been on the base prior, on July 16 with JRF buying toiletries at the Marine Corps Exchange (which I assume is the same base). If it was her, then she must have gotten approval for entering at that time.
MOO

 

[10ofRods]

Take a look at post #125 by @Ravenmoon, who lived in Morongo Valley for quite some time. She mentions how the electricity goes out regularly:

Found Deceased - CA - Lauren Cho, 30, from NJ was visiting for 2 mos, Morongo Valley, 28 Jun 2021

RIP El. It was a pleasure to learn about her but it was under terrible circumstances :( I am very, very curious as to what the toxicology report will say.

www.websleuths.com

Anyway, her post gives a good insider view of what it's like to live there.

 

[deadfoot13]

I believe it was the intention to go camping, but they had been staying at JRF's home for the few days she was there. I'm sorry to be that person who says they read it and can't show where, but I'm going to have to go back and look it up later because my notes are at work

I'm sorry to quote myself, but wanted to follow up to include where I read the information that the pair were staying at JRF's home and not actually camping at the time they went missing:

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 pair reportedly took at least one hiking trip to the desert. Jin was staying at the mobile home with Fitzpatrick. Photographs obtained from a friend of Fitzpatrick showed Jin cleaning inside the mobile home."

 

[Interested_But_Confused]

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I don't feel at all comfortable with JRF being treated like he's guilty of something until LE publicly announce he's a suspect. At this point (let me stress, at this point) he's still another victim who went missing and was later found dead.

That could change in the blink of an eye, but IMO it's where things stand right now.

 

[deadfoot13]

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I don't feel at all comfortable with JRF being treated like he's guilty of something until LE publicly announce he's a suspect. At this point (let me stress, at this point) he's still another victim who went missing and was later found dead.

That could change in the blink of an eye, but IMO it's where things stand right now.

I feel the same way, you aren't alone!

 

[Moonstrawbs]

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I don't feel at all comfortable with JRF being treated like he's guilty of something until LE publicly announce he's a suspect. At this point (let me stress, at this point) he's still another victim who went missing and was later found dead.

That could change in the blink of an eye, but IMO it's where things stand right now.

Absolutely with you on this.

 

[megs1477]

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I don't feel at all comfortable with JRF being treated like he's guilty of something until LE publicly announce he's a suspect. At this point (let me stress, at this point) he's still another victim who went missing and was later found dead.

That could change in the blink of an eye, but IMO it's where things stand right now.

I completely agree. Almost every negative rumor about him has been disproven/explained to this point. He is a victim. I still believe this was a tragic accident, or the pair ran into trouble together. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest anything else.
The only evidence that could be concerning...the smell of decomp...could easily be explained by a rat. Trust me, one rat can stink up that entire trailer. We had one die in the ceiling at work once, the smell was horrible and did not go away for a very long time after it was located and removed.

 

[mark1969]

A great calculation, Mark. I'd place it even a bit higher (90%) but I appreciate you being circumspect.

I am beginning to think that something happened to Fang between 11 pm on the 21st and the next morning (and she was left behind at the mobile home while JRF went to Thermal, perhaps trying to establish that "they" were camping as she had indicated to family). It worked, because most of us assumed they might both have been in Thermal. I no longer believe that with high probability. We have two full days of JRF activity mostly unaccounted for, except that his phone pings off Julian on the 24th (but where was he and what was he doing from late evening on the 21st until that last ping??)

Driving at the speed limit, it's only 45 minutes from Morongo Valley to Thermal area, driving the way most Californians do, it's less than that - at night, one can probably do it easily in 35 minutes. I do wonder if JRF leftv on the 22nd, as planned. I also wonder if DH knew quite a bit more about everything than we realize, as he may have stopped by the mobile home between the 22nd and the 24th, having not gotten JRF on the phone. If the door was unlocked on August 1 when LE stops by, did DH stop by during that interval where they were missing?

It sounds to me as if the pair really did have plans to camp at Thermal, perhaps even a reservation at one of the campgrounds near a hot spring. But I can't imagine that they planned to be away for days and DH probably knew that.

I am sure that LE are getting telematics from JRF's truck, but that can take some time (often about a month). They may get the data first, then have to hire someone to help coordinate the data with real world geography. I hope and pray that you and your family get answers soon and I"m so, so sorry that you're all going through this.

Thx alot for all your support so far
We have proof of a conversation of DH that he claims he did not hear anything from John after 21st of July...But do we need to believe it ?

 

[mark1969]

I completely agree. Almost every negative rumor about him has been disproven/explained to this point. He is a victim. I still believe this was a tragic accident, or the pair ran into trouble together. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest anything else.
The only evidence that could be concerning...the smell of decomp...could easily be explained by a rat. Trust me, one rat can stink up that entire trailer. We had one die in the ceiling at work once, the smell was horrible and did not go away for a very long time after it was located and removed.

I believe that JRF could be a victim of his own sudden emotional depression when he tried to wreck his car on purpose in Harper Flat or Pinyon Wash ... Maybe becaused what might have happened in the days before ??

 

[Ravenmoon]

Filling the truck up at the base was, I believe, speculation as a reason to visit the base, as all other services shuttered for the evening.
Previously, our VI hinted JRF was documented as accessing the base at 22:19 7/21. Without having access to JRF's financials, I mistakenly surmised the 22:19 could have been verified by a C/C pump purchase at the closed gas mart.
But we do know now, JRF did visit the base that night. According to the family friend quoted in yesterday's 'Hi-Desert Star' article, JRF did indeed gain entry to the base via Main Gate, the only of three gates open at that late hour, on Adobe Road, 3.5 miles north of where the 7/21 video was filmed. The source claims he discovered this info by contacting MCAGCC29P himself.
Also interesting; our VI indicated earlier that JRF 'registered himself' at base. Unclear what this means exactly but, naturally, they take security at the base seriously. (A car was fired upon last month in broad daylight at same gate for rolling by).
The entry requirements are a bit nebulous for visitors, however. A valid-ID'd individual, for example, can 'vouch' for up to five persons as 'Trusted Travelers'. All foreign nationals are required to present appropriate ID, however.
The 20c/gallon cheaper gas may have been motivation for making the late-night detour to the base on the fateful night both FJ and JRF were documented with their final contact (the sent, disjointed video and the base entry, both within minutes of one another). It may also have been to visit a colleague at one of the thousand residences on base. We do not know. We do not even know if FJ was with JRF when he 'self-registered'.

ETA: Another interesting tidbit I recall from our gracious VI: Regarding the 22:19 video, I believe all recipients were sent the video via app and received instantly at 22:15. At 22:19 it was received by the one member of the group not in China, a U.S. friend, who sounded alarm that never was a previous message sent in that fashion.

I am not certain how much cheaper the gas is on base, but it's almost 40 miles from the Roadrunner mobile home park to 29 palms base.
Would it be worth that almost 80 mile round trip just to buy gas?

Maybe? I have no idea at all.

JMO

 

[sfinkz]

I am not certain how much cheaper the gas is on base, but it's almost 40 miles from the Roadrunner mobile home park to 29 palms base.
Would it be worth that almost 80 mile round trip just to buy gas?

Maybe? I have no idea at all.

JMO

Based on sent photo evidence, they were at Old Dale Mines, south of 29Palms town and west of JT and would have returned to MV via 62W. The entry to the sprawling base would have necessitated about a 14-mile RT detour from 62.
We also learned gasoline is one of few products on base not exempt from taxes, attempt to undercut local market, in this case 20c/gall.
I know; perfectly logical late-night maneuver, except it was the last known contact—within minutes (if not seconds) of one another—for both FJ (video) and JRF (base entry).

eta: add last sentence

 

[Megnut]

I have been in a trailer rank with dead mouse. Trained LE you'd think could tell the difference between human and rodent decomp and I have no reason to believe that JRF's trailer ever had an infestation but let's say it did.

It might be the sort of smell one might think a lot of cleaning might fix. Lysol. Bleach.

It might also be the sort of smell that LE could utilize in the face of a pair of missing persons where they haven't yet been able to mount the threshold to foul play. Suspicious circumstances. An open/unlocked door and the scent of death is compelling. Possibly it's what bought the arrest warrant. Even if it's since been debunked as human decomp. (Again, this is all my speculation.)

I'm trying to make a case whereby the two did go camping. To a place with many lights. Nighttime camping, 1000 points of light overhead. And somehow something went awry, leaving them out there unprotected under the scorching heat of day, where they set out to hike to the truck, each eventually succumbing to unforgiving elements, each at a different point.

Like I said, I'm trying to make a case for that but it comes up short. Even if I ascribe the decomp to natural, non nefarious, wholly unrelated causes.

I don't like that their phones seem to have died days apart.

I can't account for that.

I watch and I wait.

JMO

 

[slowpoke]

I may be the only person who feels this way, but I don't feel at all comfortable with JRF being treated like he's guilty of something until LE publicly announce he's a suspect. At this point (let me stress, at this point) he's still another victim who went missing and was later found dead.

That could change in the blink of an eye, but IMO it's where things stand right now.

It IS certainly uncomfortable to think it.
I’m sorry for brainstorming scenarios that make anyone uneasy.

Let’s go back to offering alternative scenarios, then, taking into account:

[1] Fang sent her last night video at 10:19pm on 7/21.
[2] JRF entered the marine base at 10:19pm on 7/21.
[3] 7/22 truck sighting in Thermal.
[4] 7/24 JRF phone ping in the Julian area.
[5] No phone usage from Fang after 7/21. No ping from her phone, say SBCSO.
[6] Odor of decomposition in JRF’s home (observed 8/1).
[7] Mobile home’s door open (observed 8/1).

—-
This won’t be all known facts, of course, as I’m trying to fill in the blanks for a possible scenario that does not involve JRF harming Fang :

So…
Fang’s last video was just a normal video sent as she sits in the truck as JRF pulls in to the marine base with the intention to gas up his truck. Another busy day is planned for tomorrow that will include lots of driving in the desert, so a full tank is a good idea. Since the pumps are still open, it’s a better time to do it that time of night while it’s cooler, and they’re still out and awake, anyway.

She writes they’ll be going camping, but it is not really true. She knows her parents would be vocal in their disapproval of the reality, and would worry about her too much, so she tells them this instead of letting them know she is spending her nights with her new beau at his mobile home in the desert.

They leave his Morongo Valley home the next day, 7/22. We know the truck was captured on surveillance in the Thermal, CA area, so this is where they went.

This is where I get stumped.

7/22 to 7/24…Did they ‘sleep under the stars’ in the bed of his truck (is that allowed) in the Anza Borrego area the whole time away? VI said there was not much in the way of provisions in the truck, though, when found.

Harper Flat, where the truck is found: is this when they had some accident? We know the truck, when found, was “pretty wrecked“. JRF had attempted a difficult rocky path that he shouldn’t have and disabled his truck, then they start walking to get somewhere safe or get a cell signal, but succumb to the heat?

Still doesn’t answer why she never returned calls or sent any messages on her phone. Nowhere to charge her phone? Lost her phone along the way ? JRF doesn’t have WeChat on his phone (if want to borrow his), and even if he did, would it be hard to access Fang’s account with her circle of friends from his phone?

I also don’t know where the odor of decomposition and open door fit into this, but..

It was suggested maybe spoiled meat and other food in the refrigerator/freezer, if the power was out for days?

As for the door being open, I feel like JRF would lock his door as a habit. So, who left it open? Maybe his place got broken into while they were gone for a few days on their trip, and the thief left it open?

It’s tough filling in the blanks for what we don’t know!