Identified! FL - Big Cypress Natl Preserve, Male Hiker, Denim & “Mostly Harmless” July 2018 - Vance Rodriguez #2

[UnlicensedPI]

Yes, MPs given weight on that thread was even questioned in the comments by a seemingly shocked group member. And it had crossed my mind before now that perhaps MH suffered with Bulimia. I do agree with everything you are saying X

He would not have had perfect teeth if he was bulimic. That disorder is really rough on your teeth in particular.

 

[rinnai]

He would not have had perfect teeth if he was bulimic. That disorder is really rough on your teeth in particular.

I agree. It's a "side effect" a lot of people often overlook. In most cases bulimia will cause irreversible damage to teeth.

 

[Classito]

Regarding the bulging veins...This is not uncommon and can occur naturally when in action or standing still. Causes can be from exercise, low body fat, stress, diet, and etc. Mostly Harmless was doing a lot of exercising, hiker diet and had low body fat

Veiny Arms: What Causes Them and How to Make Your Veins Bulge

 

[MichelleBlue]

I have not submitted his name. I am in the UK and new to all this, I wouldn't know where to start. So please, if somebody in the US could have him entered. I'm sure that would be a great start. Thank You All in advance X

Ok. I sent it in to the CCSO

 

[Victoria Chambers]

Ok. I sent it in to the CCSO

Brilliant! X
Both cases are equally sad and I pray that all UIDs and MPs find their way home someday, somehow. X

 

[Victoria Chambers]

I agree. It's a "side effect" a lot of people often overlook. In most cases bulimia will cause irreversible damage to teeth.

Whilst it is a common side effect, it is not a guaranteed side effect and is not evident in 'all bulemics. Same with chronic sore throat, again, not all bulemics do suffer that. I suppsose it depends on what the person has consumed and how often they consume it. I think it is safe to say that MH was not eating the required amounts for a man of his age/height. We know MH did eat because he accompanied some hikers out to dinner plus there are photographs. We know he was in possession of enough funds to feed 500. We also know his cause of death to be starvation. To me, starvation is an act of prolonged torturous punishment and usually effects people in captivity, people who are dependent on others or people who are trapped. MH was none of these and once hunger sets in, people would eat their own legs if they could. There has to be something else going on here, an underlying reason as to why he starved. When an autopsy is performed, the cause of death will be determined by way of elimination starting with most obvious causes. 1 any visible injuries NO. 2 had he choked to death NO. 3 could it be something he consumed, stomach contents. Empty, completely empty of acid bile and whatnot. Cause of death: Starvation! The coroner will then relay there findings to the witnessing LE who couples the cause of death with the cash found and they deem it to be a probable suicide. But there are illnesses that eventually can cause a person to practically waste away ending in starvation- but in normal circumstances, the person visits a doctor and is given the diagnosis. In most cases of starvation, the victim would be laying in the foetal position, too weak and unable to move, let alone, lift themselves up into a position. The brain shrinks due to dehydration and the person is almost vegetative to a point, so for MH to be found all twisted is equally as puzzling IMO. I do believe that MH suffered in silence in the months before his demise and that he did not willingly choose to end his life that way. X

 

[MaryFromFla]

We see pics of M.H. with the braces on during the A.T. hike. In Florida its mostly easy going flat land hiking. The guys that found him. Originally had a hard time getting to where he was. The Big Cypress Preserve is a huge piece of land. There are many unmarked trails. There are also many that become submerged during the rainy season in Florida. He could have been there for many days. If he were ill and got turned around or wasnt able to travel his intended route, I dont think there would have been many or any people to come across him that he would have been able to reach out to. Also and I know this is a stretch, there are people that get hypothermia in Florida. It actually happens a lot. With a low body weight and afternoon/evening soaking storm and dip in temp could have caused this. I know the timeline for his Florida hike puts him in the window for wild weather fluctuations. I wish someone could put together a photo time line. If there already isnt one.

 

[Alethea]

Was the official autopsy report ever released?

 

[janewall]

He could have been anorexic without exhibiting bulimia. He may have simply been extremely conscious of his food intake, had an unrealistic body image, and taken some nutrition but not nearly enough for the physical activity he was performing on a daily basis. Then he would not be damaging his teeth through purging, nor constantly risking the attendant dehydration, but his weight loss would be quite dramatic.

We have seen pictures of him seated at table numerous times, so we know he was eating. But maybe he was only eating when free meals were available? Or maybe he was subsisting on a fraction of the calorie intake hiking the trail would require?

I wonder if his body had lanugo growth when he was found. That would point to longer-term starvation, not an abrupt cessation of eating in the last couple weeks of his trip that might indicate an actute illness preventing him from obtaining any food.

MOO - I am not a doctor, nor an expert on eating disorders.

 

[Phaelenopsis Amabilis]

Not sure if anyone’s posted this yet, but it’s an Outside article vividly describing what it’s like to hike this section of trail. It sounds like a deceptively harsh area to walk. If you read to the bottom, there’s a bit about the guys who found MH’s body and a rather sad and unflattering description of him (maybe it’s not? I feel it is, but then I’ve probably become attached to MH reading up on him, so may be I feel a bit ‘protective’ of him. Lol, I don’t know—he just seemed so sweet). All that aside, this article states he was found sitting cross-legged. I feel like I hadn’t read that exact description yet, but it’s possible I’m not remembering correctly.

The 'Florida Man' of Thru-Hikes

 

[Phaelenopsis Amabilis]

Was the official autopsy report ever released?

I’d like to know that as well!

 

[MichelleBlue]

Not sure if anyone’s posted this yet, but it’s an Outside article vividly describing what it’s like to hike this section of trail. It sounds like a deceptively harsh area to walk. If you read to the bottom, there’s a bit about the guys who found MH’s body and a rather sad and unflattering description of him (maybe it’s not? I feel it is, but then I’ve probably become attached to MH reading up on him, so may be I feel a bit ‘protective’ of him. Lol, I don’t know—he just seemed so sweet). All that aside, this article states he was found sitting cross-legged. I feel like I hadn’t read that exact description yet, but it’s possible I’m not remembering correctly.

The 'Florida Man' of Thru-Hikes

That is the first time I have heard that the position he was found in was sitting up with his legs criss-crossed? Thanks for sharing this very interesting article - even the parts that were not about MH were very educational.

 

[Laughing]

Was the official autopsy report ever released?

IIRC, due to Florida privacy law, we will not see the autopsy report.

Same reason -- DNA will not be submitted to look for family member matches.

IIRC JMHO etc

 

[carbuff]

Another disorder that causes a distended belly is malnutrition...don't know if starvation produces it or not.

IIRC, due to Florida privacy law, we will not see the autopsy report.

Same reason -- DNA will not be submitted to look for family member matches.

IIRC JMHO etc

A Florida LEO in a different case told me genealogical DNA might be a theoretical possibility; Florida law allows it with a judge's permission after all other avenues have been exhausted. The person who told me this felt it would be unlikely to even be considered in a case less than 5-10 years old. The 15-year-old case we were discussing was turned down because the judge didn't feel LE had taken enough steps to publicize and seek out possible matches and that didn't justify the invasion of privacy.

 

[MichelleBlue]

I am sort of sleep deprived right now, but I started reading about this Silver Elves business and how individuals may go off to live in the wilderness. And I started thinking maybe MH felt he found his "ultimate place" and sat down and starved himself to be "elf size." Just typing this sounds so bizarre that I think I better go make a mixed drink and go to bed. All MOO, definitely MOO.

 

[janewall]

That is the first time I have heard that the position he was found in was sitting up with his legs criss-crossed? Thanks for sharing this very interesting article - even the parts that were not about MH were very educational.

I had not heard/read this either, but rather that his body was 'twisted'. The mental image that gave me was much less peaceful than someone sitting cross-legged.

This info makes me think he may have realized he was near the end and adopted a basic meditative/yoga pose so as to be as relaxed yet aware as possible.

If that is the case, I hope he achieved a state of peacefulness and tranquility.

 

[Alethea]

IIRC, due to Florida privacy law, we will not see the autopsy report.

Same reason -- DNA will not be submitted to look for family member matches.

IIRC JMHO etc

Thanks, that's what I thought. I know sources have said starvation but without an actual autopsy, the real or primary cause of death could be something like cancer or a disease that lead him to this.

 

[neesaki]

Regarding the bulging veins...This is not uncommon and can occur naturally when in action or standing still. Causes can be from exercise, low body fat, stress, diet, and etc. Mostly Harmless was doing a lot of exercising, hiker diet and had low body fat

Veiny Arms: What Causes Them and How to Make Your Veins Bulge

If so, it wouldn’t be so localized in only one arm, on only that relatively small area of his arm. There’s something else going on. Jmo

 

[neesaki]

Not sure if anyone’s posted this yet, but it’s an Outside article vividly describing what it’s like to hike this section of trail. It sounds like a deceptively harsh area to walk. If you read to the bottom, there’s a bit about the guys who found MH’s body and a rather sad and unflattering description of him (maybe it’s not? I feel it is, but then I’ve probably become attached to MH reading up on him, so may be I feel a bit ‘protective’ of him. Lol, I don’t know—he just seemed so sweet). All that aside, this article states he was found sitting cross-legged. I feel like I hadn’t read that exact description yet, but it’s possible I’m not remembering correctly.

The 'Florida Man' of Thru-Hikes

I’ve always loved hiking, and we did overnight backpacking trips , etc... in the Rockies, Ozarks, Ouachitas, but this? No... just no. Why, why? Ugh.....
That aside, it’s so sad how MH was found... and now has no identity.
And it seems that he went out there to die alone. Because he was alone... as he had no one. Sad indeed.

 

[Gardener1850]

Not sure if anyone’s posted this yet, but it’s an Outside article vividly describing what it’s like to hike this section of trail. It sounds like a deceptively harsh area to walk. If you read to the bottom, there’s a bit about the guys who found MH’s body and a rather sad and unflattering description of him (maybe it’s not? I feel it is, but then I’ve probably become attached to MH reading up on him, so may be I feel a bit ‘protective’ of him. Lol, I don’t know—he just seemed so sweet). All that aside, this article states he was found sitting cross-legged. I feel like I hadn’t read that exact description yet, but it’s possible I’m not remembering correctly.

The 'Florida Man' of Thru-Hikes

I recall hearing in the CCSO podcast that he was sitting up in his tent and his eyes were open when he was found. I assumed that is why the sketch was drawn the way it was-- to me it has always seemed like he has an expression of pain or surprise on his face. I still don't believe that he chose to starve himself to death. I believe that he got in a bad situation, was too sick with some sudden illness or chronic disease to hike out of his campsite and died before anyone came by that could help. It was off season for hikers on the Florida Trail and it was very hot and humid when he was found. There are dozens of illnesses that could cause starvation. Anything from chloera to stomach cancer.

MOO.