Imo he looks like the post-mortem sketch, but he looks nothing like Mostly Harmless. Their noses are completely different. The height of their cheekbones isn’t the same either. Patterson’s hairline is different as well, it recedes more at the sides. Patterson’s mouth is wider and his forehead is higher. And he has more wrinkles than MH. He has scars while our Doe has none (except a vague one on his stomach which is one Patterson didn’t have). Then there are the circumstances. It’s possible he staged his death of course, but it’s just way way more likely he was lost at sea. His boat washed ashore, damaged. Let’s not forget he wasn’t just on a lake or river, but the actual ocean.
The only picture where I can maybe see it, is the one where he is wearing sunglasses which cover half of his face... Don’t get me wrong, they certainly look alike but because we have actual pictures of our John Doe, a resemblance isn’t enough. I feel like we should find a picture of someone and literally see the same man (same bonestructure, nose, hair, eyes) as the one in pictures taken by other hikers. And that’s not a feeling I have with Patterson. But then again, I seem to be in the minority here so perhaps I am completely wrong In any case, it can’t hurt to submit him!
June 2017 – Hiker (RS) met him on the AT in New York. He claimed he had been working for a big company and recently quit his job. He said he had been living in Bear Mountain Park, NY for 2 weeks before deciding to hike South on the AT. Google Maps
I wonder if living in Bear Mountain Park means he was homeless at the time?
Ok, I think the timeline is done (for now). After most of the dates are map links to the individual locations where he was spotted. This should come in handy in case someone wants to create a map of all locations. I tried to put the sightings in order for the most part-- some of the comments did not give dates (like the hiker who saw him in Duncannon) so I made an educated guess of when that could have been based on the UID hiking South on the AT and the other sightings of him.
That is what it sounded like to me from the poster's comment. I got the impression he quit his job and was living homeless in a Campground for a couple months before deciding to start hiking.
ETA: but maybe he had some money because the Bear Mountain Park campground costs money to camp: Bear Mountain State Park
Big Cypress John Doe Timeline
NAMUS Link: Unidentified Person Case
April 2017 – He told people he started hiking in New York in April 2017. Possibly was wearing jeans when he started hiking which is where he said his trail name “Denim” came from.
June 2017 – He told people he met that he went for a 2 week hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in New York in June 2017.
June 2017 – Hiker (RS) met him on the AT in New York. He claimed he had been working for a big company and recently quit his job. He said he had been living in Bear Mountain Park, NY for 2 weeks before deciding to hike South on the AT. Google Maps
June or July 2017 – Hiker (CD) met him in New York at the visitor center in Unionville, NY (Date is my estimate based on map) Google Maps
June or July 2017 Hiker (WF8) posting on the Mountain Crossings Walasi-yi page claims to have met him in a church basement in Duncannon, PA. (Date is my estimate based on map). Google Maps
28 July 2017 – Hiker (IHTPT) claims to have met him on the AT at Raven Rock shelter in Maryland. AT shelters: RavenRock Raven Rock Shelter
Early Aug 2017 –Hiker (SMJ) claims to have seen him hiking somewhere near Shenandoah, VA with an older woman with grey dreads.
Oct 2017 – A hiker (HRH) posting on the Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi page photo claims to have hiked with him for a week in Oct.
7th - 8th Oct 2017 – A hiker (KEV) met him in Virginia and knew him as Denim. KEV said his pack was 53 1/2 pounds in Damascus, VA -- she took a photo of it on the scales because it was so heavy she almost toppled over trying it on. KEV took a selfie and several other photos of him in Damascus. They had been stuck in Woodchuck’s Hostel in Damascus for 2 days due to a hurricane hitting the trail (Most likely was rain from Hurricane Nate: Hurricane Nate - Wikipedia ). Google Maps
7 Oct 2017 – He went out to eat at Damascus Pizza Co Bar and Grill with KEV and several other hikers.
Google Maps
Nov 2017 – Hiker (DB) met him at Trey Mountain shelter on the AT. He told DB he did IT work in NYC and was going to Florida. AT shelters: TrayMtn Tray Mountain Shelter
2 Dec 2017 – Photo of “Denim” holding up maps posted to the “Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi” Facebook page—Mountain Crossings is a store located in Blood Mountain in Georgia. He purchased maps to hike the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and told the owner he was heading for Key West, Florida. Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
Dec 2017 - GoPro Video of him was taken by another hiker at the top of Springer Mountain: Collier County Sheriff's Office
Dec 2017 – Hiker (DBIH) claims he camped with him at Springer Mountain Shelter on the AT. They talked about Dr. Who, liking Sci-fi, working in IT and their fathers. DBIH claims he mentioned an ex-girlfriend and a sister but no names. AT shelters: Springer Springer Mountain Shelter
4 Dec 2017 – Hiker (MM) met him on Springer Mountain and posted about it to the Mountain Crossings facebook post on Dec 5th. MM took a photo of him with his poles in front of the bronze plaque on the summit at the end of the Appalachian Trail.
Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
(info about the plaque: https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/springer-mountain-2-mile-hike/ )
29 Dec 2017 – Hikers HW and JC took a photo of him standing in front of a Nisan Frontier Truck on Salem Church Road—the first road crossing of the Pinhoti trail just South of the AL/GA State Line.
Google Maps
Florida National Scenic Trail - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
FL - FL - Male, 35-50, BlueGrey Eyes, S&P Beard, Hiking Poles, Boots, Tent, Big Cypress Preserve, Jul2018
Jan 2018 – A hiker (PE) met him on the Pinhoti in January; he told PE he was only doing 10 miles a day.
24-25 Feb 2018 – A camper (BV) met him at Sand Pond Campground is in Pine Log State Forest, in Ebro, FL. He left from there headed for the FL trail. He told BV he had been staying with his sister in Sarasota or Ft. Myers, FL and started in that area. He also talked to BV about some health problems and needed/wanted to do this trip while he still could.
Google Maps
March 2018- A hiker (AK) met him on the Florida Trail near the Aucilla River section; he was heading South bound and said he planned on reaching the southern terminus sometime in July. He told AK that he had started on the FT in Blackwater. Florida Trail, Aucilla River | Florida Trail Hikes
March 2018 - A hiker (AL) met him in the Ocala National Forest. Google Maps
March 2018- A hiker (BW) saw him just 1 hour south of the 88 store. He was heading south bound on the FT, healthy and in good spirits. Google Maps
23 July 2018 The Unidentified man was found deceased in his tent in Big Cypress National Preserve at a remote campsite called Noble's Camp, approximately 5 miles north of Interstate 75.
Google Maps
Physical Description and Other Info
35 to 50 years old
5-foot-8
a very lean 83 pounds
salt and pepper hair and beard
blue/gray eyes
his teeth were in excellent condition
He had no tattoos
Possible indistinct fine linear scar across abdomen. Very faint.
He died only a few days before he was found
There were no obvious injuries and the death does not appear suspicious from a criminal perspective
Clothing and Accessories:
Beige Shirt
Neon green (w/gray accents) Shorts
Gray Russell "Performance" Underwear size M
Columbia baseball hat, very dirty possibly gray and white
Yellow two man tent – Manufacturer: Brooks-Range Mountaineering, Model: Foray
Yellow sleeping bag
Two hiking poles, black and copper color. Brand "Outdoor Products"
One yellow and gray Isobutane 110 G fuel cartridge
Bluegreen Nalgene water bottle
black Salomon hiking boots
Aliases/Hiking Names Used: “Denim”,“Mostly Harmless” & “Ben Bilemy”
He used the alias "Ben Bilemy" to register at several hostels along his trek from New York to Florida on the AT and FT. He stayed at Hostels in VA, GA and FL.
May have ties to New York City, New York and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
May have worked in the tech industry.
Information from other Hikers who met him:
He claimed to have worked in the “tech world” for a decade prior to starting hiking.
Hiker (MJO) says he claimed he was only hiking about 10 miles a day.
Hiker (KEV) says he told her he was heavy body weight-wise when he first started hiking and had lost a lot of weight since then. Other hikers heard similar stories that he had lost weight. KEV also says she believes he paid for everything in cash. KEV says he told her he did not keep any social media accounts due to hackers and did not have a cell phone.
He was hiking the ECT, Eastern Continental Divide & and he decided to do it with no phone & no GPS
Known to be a very experienced hiker with very good quality equipment
He was working for food during the hike
He was said to be an extremely friendly but quiet guy
Source Post for above
Listed on the ECT Thru-Hike's website as part of the ECT class of 2018 as “Mostly Harmless”
Class of 2018 – Florida Trail Hikers Alliance
Source Links
Collier County Sheriff Facebook posts:
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Collier County Sheriff's Office
GoPro Video taken on Top of Springer Mountain: Collier County Sheriff's Office
Groups Where his Photo was posted:
Pinhoti Trail Alliance:
Pinhoti Trail Alliance Post
Mountain Crossings:
Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
Media Links:
Investigators want help identifying man found dead at preserve campsite
http://naplesherald.com/2018/08/03/...-identify-body-found-in-big-cypress-preserve/
Collier Sheriff's Office asks for help to identify man found dead in Big Cypress Preserve
Unidentified, decomposed body found in Florida woods; Some think he's a Baton Rouge native
Dead hiker may have ties to New York state
Who is 'Ben Bilemy?' Florida police try to uncover identity of mystery hiker found dead near Everglades
CCSO shares alias of hiker who died in Big Cypress National Preserve
ID of man found dead in Big Cypress Preserve still unclear after hikers send photos, tips
DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Collier Co. deputies need your help ID'ing man's body found
Hiker found dead in Florida could be from New York
Hiker found dead went by 'Denim' and 'Mostly Harmless' on the trail, but investigators don't know his real name
https://www.winknews.com/2018/08/23/collier-deputies-release-video-of-hiker-prior-to-death/
Is there anything on Facebook being shared like these pictures?Not sure if I’ve seen this here. And can never hurt to share again.
Big Cypress John Doe Timeline
NAMUS Link: Unidentified Person Case
April 2017 – He told people he started hiking in New York in April 2017. Possibly was wearing jeans when he started hiking which is where he said his trail name “Denim” came from.
June 2017 – He told people he met that he went for a 2 week hike on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in New York in June 2017.
June 2017 – Hiker (RS) met him on the AT in New York. He claimed he had been working for a big company and recently quit his job. He said he had been living in Bear Mountain Park, NY for 2 weeks before deciding to hike South on the AT. Google Maps
June or July 2017 – Hiker (CD) met him in New York at the visitor center in Unionville, NY (Date is my estimate based on map) Google Maps
June or July 2017 Hiker (WF8) posting on the Mountain Crossings Walasi-yi page claims to have met him in a church basement in Duncannon, PA. (Date is my estimate based on map). Google Maps
28 July 2017 – Hiker (IHTPT) claims to have met him on the AT at Raven Rock shelter in Maryland. AT shelters: RavenRock Raven Rock Shelter
Early Aug 2017 –Hiker (SMJ) claims to have seen him hiking somewhere near Shenandoah, VA with an older woman with grey dreads.
Oct 2017 – A hiker (HRH) posting on the Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi page photo claims to have hiked with him for a week in Oct.
7th - 8th Oct 2017 – A hiker (KEV) met him in Virginia and knew him as Denim. KEV said his pack was 53 1/2 pounds in Damascus, VA -- she took a photo of it on the scales because it was so heavy she almost toppled over trying it on. KEV took a selfie and several other photos of him in Damascus. They had been stuck in Woodchuck’s Hostel in Damascus for 2 days due to a hurricane hitting the trail (Most likely was rain from Hurricane Nate: Hurricane Nate - Wikipedia ). Google Maps
7 Oct 2017 – He went out to eat at Damascus Pizza Co Bar and Grill with KEV and several other hikers.
Google Maps
Nov 2017 – Hiker (DB) met him at Trey Mountain shelter on the AT. He told DB he did IT work in NYC and was going to Florida. AT shelters: TrayMtn Tray Mountain Shelter
2 Dec 2017 – Photo of “Denim” holding up maps posted to the “Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi” Facebook page—Mountain Crossings is a store located in Blood Mountain in Georgia. He purchased maps to hike the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama and told the owner he was heading for Key West, Florida. Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
Dec 2017 - GoPro Video of him was taken by another hiker at the top of Springer Mountain: Collier County Sheriff's Office
Dec 2017 – Hiker (DBIH) claims he camped with him at Springer Mountain Shelter on the AT. They talked about Dr. Who, liking Sci-fi, working in IT and their fathers. DBIH claims he mentioned an ex-girlfriend and a sister but no names. AT shelters: Springer Springer Mountain Shelter
4 Dec 2017 – Hiker (MM) met him on Springer Mountain and posted about it to the Mountain Crossings facebook post on Dec 5th. MM took a photo of him with his poles in front of the bronze plaque on the summit at the end of the Appalachian Trail.
Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
(info about the plaque: https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/springer-mountain-2-mile-hike/ )
29 Dec 2017 – Hikers HW and JC took a photo of him standing in front of a Nisan Frontier Truck on Salem Church Road—the first road crossing of the Pinhoti trail just South of the AL/GA State Line.
Google Maps
Florida National Scenic Trail - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
FL - FL - Male, 35-50, BlueGrey Eyes, S&P Beard, Hiking Poles, Boots, Tent, Big Cypress Preserve, Jul2018
Jan 2018 – A hiker (PE) met him on the Pinhoti in January; he told PE he was only doing 10 miles a day.
24-25 Feb 2018 – A camper (BV) met him at Sand Pond Campground is in Pine Log State Forest, in Ebro, FL. He left from there headed for the FL trail. He told BV he had been staying with his sister in Sarasota or Ft. Myers, FL and started in that area. He also talked to BV about some health problems and needed/wanted to do this trip while he still could.
Google Maps
March 2018- A hiker (AK) met him on the Florida Trail near the Aucilla River section; he was heading South bound and said he planned on reaching the southern terminus sometime in July. He told AK that he had started on the FT in Blackwater. Florida Trail, Aucilla River | Florida Trail Hikes
March 2018 - A hiker (AL) met him in the Ocala National Forest. Google Maps
March 2018- A hiker (BW) saw him just 1 hour south of the 88 store. He was heading south bound on the FT, healthy and in good spirits. Google Maps
23 July 2018 The Unidentified man was found deceased in his tent in Big Cypress National Preserve at a remote campsite called Noble's Camp, approximately 5 miles north of Interstate 75.
Google Maps
Physical Description and Other Info
35 to 50 years old
5-foot-8
a very lean 83 pounds
salt and pepper hair and beard
blue/gray eyes
his teeth were in excellent condition
He had no tattoos
Possible indistinct fine linear scar across abdomen. Very faint.
He died only a few days before he was found
There were no obvious injuries and the death does not appear suspicious from a criminal perspective
Clothing and Accessories:
Beige Shirt
Neon green (w/gray accents) Shorts
Gray Russell "Performance" Underwear size M
Columbia baseball hat, very dirty possibly gray and white
Yellow two man tent – Manufacturer: Brooks-Range Mountaineering, Model: Foray
Yellow sleeping bag
Two hiking poles, black and copper color. Brand "Outdoor Products"
One yellow and gray Isobutane 110 G fuel cartridge
Bluegreen Nalgene water bottle
black Salomon hiking boots
Aliases/Hiking Names Used: “Denim”,“Mostly Harmless” & “Ben Bilemy”
He used the alias "Ben Bilemy" to register at several hostels along his trek from New York to Florida on the AT and FT. He stayed at Hostels in VA, GA and FL.
May have ties to New York City, New York and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
May have worked in the tech industry.
Information from other Hikers who met him:
He claimed to have worked in the “tech world” for a decade prior to starting hiking.
Hiker (MJO) says he claimed he was only hiking about 10 miles a day.
Hiker (KEV) says he told her he was heavy body weight-wise when he first started hiking and had lost a lot of weight since then. Other hikers heard similar stories that he had lost weight. KEV also says she believes he paid for everything in cash. KEV says he told her he did not keep any social media accounts due to hackers and did not have a cell phone.
He was hiking the ECT, Eastern Continental Divide & and he decided to do it with no phone & no GPS
Known to be a very experienced hiker with very good quality equipment
He was working for food during the hike
He was said to be an extremely friendly but quiet guy
Source Post for above
Listed on the ECT Thru-Hike's website as part of the ECT class of 2018 as “Mostly Harmless”
Class of 2018 – Florida Trail Hikers Alliance
Source Links
Collier County Sheriff Facebook posts:
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Collier County Sheriff's Office
Collier County Sheriff's Office
GoPro Video taken on Top of Springer Mountain: Collier County Sheriff's Office
Groups Where his Photo was posted:
Pinhoti Trail Alliance:
Pinhoti Trail Alliance Post
Mountain Crossings:
Mountain Crossings at Walasi-yi
Media Links:
Investigators want help identifying man found dead at preserve campsite
http://naplesherald.com/2018/08/03/...-identify-body-found-in-big-cypress-preserve/
Collier Sheriff's Office asks for help to identify man found dead in Big Cypress Preserve
Unidentified, decomposed body found in Florida woods; Some think he's a Baton Rouge native
Dead hiker may have ties to New York state
Who is 'Ben Bilemy?' Florida police try to uncover identity of mystery hiker found dead near Everglades
CCSO shares alias of hiker who died in Big Cypress National Preserve
ID of man found dead in Big Cypress Preserve still unclear after hikers send photos, tips
DO YOU KNOW THIS MAN? Collier Co. deputies need your help ID'ing man's body found
Hiker found dead in Florida could be from New York
Hiker found dead went by 'Denim' and 'Mostly Harmless' on the trail, but investigators don't know his real name
https://www.winknews.com/2018/08/23/collier-deputies-release-video-of-hiker-prior-to-death/
It's been a month since they found him. Have they discovered a cause of death and just not announced it?
Google Image Result for https://d3926qxcw0e1bh.cloudfront.net/post_photos/d9/65/d965a19e9e7bc42ea71a5bf5eaef646a.jpeg.200x200.jpeg
Here’s a different photo of Adam Patterson that is very similar IMO.
Look at this article: Missing Portland water taxi found damaged on beach in Kennebunk
When you read about the circumstances of his disappearance, it’s very suspicious. He had been living on a boat because of marriage problems and then goes out at 3am into rough seas on an unsinkable (foam-filled) boat as an experienced captain. It looks to me a lot like someone who wanted to stage a disappearance.
2 Gardener; Thank you for the timeline. That is amazing work!!! You are the best!
According to the Namus file (and this is my interpretation) they found clothing and other belongings NEAR his body as described up this thread. I assume he was naked, but that is not an issue. But....no mentioning of the backpack and the coat...could he get rid of this, gave it away because he knew he was going to die, or could it be stolen from him? Somewhere (I don't know where anymore) they talked about a book he owned with (I guess some kind of) programming notes. I wonder if they have it and try to decipher it. No mentioning of that either.
2 Gardener; Thank you for the timeline. That is amazing work!!! You are the best!
According to the Namus file (and this is my interpretation) they found clothing and other belongings NEAR his body as described up this thread. I assume he was naked, but that is not an issue. But....no mentioning of the backpack and the coat...could he get rid of this, gave it away because he knew he was going to die, or could it be stolen from him? Somewhere (I don't know where anymore) they talked about a book he owned with (I guess some kind of) programming notes. I wonder if they have it and try to decipher it. No mentioning of that either.
2 Gardener; Thank you for the timeline. That is amazing work!!! You are the best!
According to the Namus file (and this is my interpretation) they found clothing and other belongings NEAR his body as described up this thread. I assume he was naked, but that is not an issue. But....no mentioning of the backpack and the coat...could he get rid of this, gave it away because he knew he was going to die, or could it be stolen from him? Somewhere (I don't know where anymore) they talked about a book he owned with (I guess some kind of) programming notes. I wonder if they have it and try to decipher it. No mentioning of that either.