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

[Bit of hope]

Some hikers mentioned they camped with him towards the beginning of his hike at the "vistors center" in Unionville, NY. I have searched and searched and cannot figure out where exactly this visitor center is located or what kind of place it is (Hostel? Drop box pick up location? shelter? ranger station?) Does it have a website or facebook page that might have photos? TIA to anyone who can figure this out.

Could they mean the community center?
 

From the site Union Ville "Our cozy little village is nestled between NY Route 284 and the Appalachian Trail on the southwestern edge of Orange County, New York"

 

[Bit of hope]

Are you sure it was in NY and not in VA?

Where the Royal Oak once reigned now stands the Gazebo on the Village Commons, right next to the Warren County/Front Royal Visitor's Center, where hikers will find a hiker box and care packages. You can also download maps and clues for our family-friendly community treasure hunts, called Quests. Designed by local residents, Quests will take you on themed walks throughout our region, our way of sharing with you our stories, natural areas, and special places. Make the Visitor Center one of your first stops in town,

 

[dorothyland]

I found this visual reference interesting. Comparing the Appalachian Trail to hiking Mt. Everest put the difficulty of this journey into perspective for me.

 

[eucalyptuz]

Some hikers mentioned they camped with him towards the beginning of his hike at the "vistors center" in Unionville, NY. I have searched and searched and cannot figure out where exactly this visitor center is located or what kind of place it is (Hostel? Drop box pick up location? shelter? ranger station?) Does it have a website or facebook page that might have photos? TIA to anyone who can figure this out.

I found an account of accommodations for thru-hikers in Unionville NY in a trail journal blog:

Unionville as it turns out loves hikers. Who knew!? He told us we could register at the village office or at the general store and stay in the park. The village office has a water spicket and the post office a power outlet. There's a clean port-a-potty and a gazebo.

And this listing:
Free Camping Near You | Go Camping for Free!

Free camping in a small park located in downtown Unionville small area with tent camping and a gazebo you can sleep under, pizza across the street 1 mile from the Appalachian Trail. There is a sign that saids a permit is required.

ETA: I believe the campsite is behind the village office at 7 Main street.

 

[Coffee56]

Hey Booghawk can you tell me when and exactly where these 3 photos were taken? Or point me to the page where they were originally posted? I saw them on CCSO page but they were just being reposted by others, not the original source with a date/location. I'm trying to put all the photos we have in order to make a new photo based timeline. TIA if anyone can help.

Let me know if you need me to hunt down original postings. I would have grabbed them from various FB pages but can find them again if needed.

 

[Gardener1850]

Are you sure it was in NY and not in VA?

Where the Royal Oak once reigned now stands the Gazebo on the Village Commons, right next to the Warren County/Front Royal Visitor's Center, where hikers will find a hiker box and care packages. You can also download maps and clues for our family-friendly community treasure hunts, called Quests. Designed by local residents, Quests will take you on themed walks throughout our region, our way of sharing with you our stories, natural areas, and special places. Make the Visitor Center one of your first stops in town,

No it definitely said Unionville, NY. Thanks, BOH.

 

[Gardener1850]

Could they mean the community center?
 

From the site Union Ville "Our cozy little village is nestled between NY Route 284 and the Appalachian Trail on the southwestern edge of Orange County, New York"

I found an account of accommodations for thru-hikers in Unionville NY in a trail journal blog:


And this listing:
Free Camping Near You | Go Camping for Free!

ETA: I believe the campsite is behind the village office at 7 Main street.

Thank you both! These are the only camping places I found in Unionville as well. I think it's likely he camped there in the park behind the office. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't missing another place called the "visitors center". Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a website nor fb page with pictures of visitors to this small camping area off the trail.

 

[Gardener1850]

Let me know if you need me to hunt down original postings. I would have grabbed them from various FB pages but can find them again if needed.

That would be awesome, Coffee! I'm only stuck on figuring out original locations and dates for a handful of pictures-- mostly the ones in Florida. Just a minute, I'll go back in the thread and copy the ones I'm trying to find dates and more exact locations for:

I know the above photo on a bench is in Florida but when was it taken and where?

Next, the above photo with the hiking poles is in Florida and I believe it is towards the end of his hike, possibly the last photo taken of him. But where exactly in Florida and when was it taken? Do you know? Thanks.

Next, not sure where this photo with a trail friend was taken. For some reason I had down Alabama in my mind but I don't know.... It could be Florida... Anyone know for sure where and when? Thank you.

Finally, the above photo matches what he looked like when he emerged from Springer Mountain in Georgia but he also had his coat on still in January when he passed through Crestview, FL (that is the photo where he is holding a ThruHike sticker). I can't seem to find the post by the person that originally took this and stated when and where. Thank you for any help pointing me in the right direction!

I feel like I have become a little obsessed with this case, but I really want to see this hiker identified.

 

[fred&edna]

approx 12 mi from Unionville
RockView Valley Campground

<10 mi from Unionville
High Point State Park
Department of Environmental Protection


approx 30 mi from Unionville
Beaver Pond Campground
Camp in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks
Explore over 51,067 acres of parklands and 235 miles of trails, combined. You can choose to tent camp or spend the night in rustic cabins in this campground.

approx 40 mi from Unionville
Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
campers use 'ballpark"

And, I found another interactive map (kinda' interestin scrollin' around)
The best tent and van camping near Bear Mountain, New York.
The 30 best tent and van campgrounds near Bear Mountain, New York

 

[Gardener1850]

I think those 4 are the only photos I don't know locations and approx dates. I'm also really trying to figure out where he was in November, 2017. He should have passed through TN and NC, however no one has said they saw him in those states (that I have seen). And a lot of the hostels/camping places I found online either close down for the winter in Nov/Dec or have so few hikers they don't have anything posted during the winter months on their social media pages.

 

[CptCari]

Has the autopsy report been released yet?

 

[Coffee56]

That would be awesome, Coffee! I'm only stuck on figuring out original locations and dates for a handful of pictures-- mostly the ones in Florida. Just a minute, I'll go back in the thread and copy the ones I'm trying to find dates and more exact locations for:

I know the above photo on a bench is in Florida but when was it taken and where?

Next, the above photo with the hiking poles is in Florida and I believe it is towards the end of his hike, possibly the last photo taken of him. But where exactly in Florida and when was it taken? Do you know? Thanks.

Next, not sure where this photo with a trail friend was taken. For some reason I had down Alabama in my mind but I don't know.... It could be Florida... Anyone know for sure where and when? Thank you.

Finally, the above photo matches what he looked like when he emerged from Springer Mountain in Georgia but he also had his coat on still in January when he passed through Crestview, FL (that is the photo where he is holding a ThruHike sticker). I can't seem to find the post by the person that originally took this and stated when and where. Thank you for any help pointing me in the right direction!

I feel like I have become a little obsessed with this case, but I really want to see this hiker identified.

I know I’m obsessed with this one. My family knows I’m obsessed. My co workers know I’m obsessed. It breaks my heart he was alone. I won’t believe that no one is missing him.

I have just started So not much so far. The last 3 photos keep leading back to the Pinholti Trail FB page but no info on when, where, or if original poster actually knew him or grabbed it somewhere else. Continuing to dig.
Thank you for all your hard work on this on this one. I haven’t had nearly enough time as I’d like to sleuth and having everything organized makes it so much easier.

 

[Bit of hope]

I know I’m obsessed with this one. My family knows I’m obsessed. My co workers know I’m obsessed. It breaks my heart he was alone. I won’t believe that no one is missing him.

I have just started So not much so far. The last 3 photos keep leading back to the Pinholti Trail FB page but no info on when, where, or if original poster actually knew him or grabbed it somewhere else. Continuing to dig.
Thank you for all your hard work on this on this one. I haven’t had nearly enough time as I’d like to sleuth and having everything organized makes it so much easier.

I have just started So not much so far. The last 3 photos keep leading back to the Pinholti Trail FB page but no info on when, where, or if original poster actually knew him or grabbed it somewhere else. Continuing to dig.
Thank you for all your hard work on this on this one. I haven’t had nearly enough time as I’d like to sleuth and having everything organized makes it so much easier.[/QUOTE]

Searched for the original posts too this morning. Keep coming up with White Blaze and some other hickers sites where pics of him are reposted. No results.

 

[Classito]

I'm reaching here
A little younger than the estimated age--Not sure if he would have greyed so fast but he has the smile in his eyes.
David O'Sullivan
From Ireland
Missing since April 2017
Was hiking alone on the PCT
Extensive searches, ground and aerial have provided no clues
Was a little heavy in the beginning
Wore glasses-Possible he could have gone without?

Started off with a green tent but made purchases (including tent according to a post by family) before he disappeared
25 years old when went missing
5'10
154 lbs
blue eyes
says black hair but hair looks brown
teeth look good
David O'Sullivan - Missing PCT Hiker
He is listed in NAMUS so that may rule him out

 

[Classito]

A new rule out in NAMUS...Paul Glova..Note: Paul Glova's case has been removed from NAMUS..Not sure when or why.

Missing Person / NamUs # MP52000 Paul Glova, Male, White / Caucasian
Date of Last Contact June 1, 2018
StateFL
CountyBroward

 

[Bit of hope]

I'm reaching here
A little younger than the estimated age--Not sure if he would have greyed so fast but he has the smile in his eyes.
David O'Sullivan
From Ireland
Missing since April 2017
Was hiking alone on the PCT
Extensive searches, ground and aerial have provided no clues
Was a little heavy in the beginning
Wore glasses-Possible he could have gone without?

Started off with a green tent but made purchases (including tent according to a post by family) before he disappeared
25 years old when went missing
5'10
154 lbs
blue eyes
says black hair but hair looks brown
teeth look good
David O'Sullivan - Missing PCT Hiker
He is listed in NAMUS so that may rule him out

Thanks for the post... They state that David has a thick Irish Accent....wouldn't fellow hikers have noticed that?

 

[Bit of hope]

A new rule out in NAMUS...Paul Glova..Note: Paul Glova's case has been removed from NAMUS..Not sure when or why.

Missing Person / NamUs # MP52000 Paul Glova, Male, White / Caucasian
Date of Last Contact June 1, 2018
StateFL
CountyBroward

I don't see any resemblance what so ever....but somebody submitted him, or maybe LE had their own thoughts. If he is not longer in Namus he is no longer missing and probably found (alive I hope).

 

[Gardener1850]

I'm reaching here
A little younger than the estimated age--Not sure if he would have greyed so fast but he has the smile in his eyes.
David O'Sullivan
From Ireland
Missing since April 2017
Was hiking alone on the PCT
Extensive searches, ground and aerial have provided no clues
Was a little heavy in the beginning
Wore glasses-Possible he could have gone without?

Started off with a green tent but made purchases (including tent according to a post by family) before he disappeared
25 years old when went missing
5'10
154 lbs
blue eyes
says black hair but hair looks brown
teeth look good
David O'Sullivan - Missing PCT Hiker
He is listed in NAMUS so that may rule him out

He does have a good resemblance Classito. However, I think someone would have noticed a thick Irish accent. Although some people can drop their accents long enough to fool people in a short conversation or one words answers, he would have had to have fooled many people for long conversations. He would also have to know American words and phrases for things. People spoke to him and hiked with him for days, weeks and months (one lady hiked with him from early August to late Sept). I also think he is too young at 25. And as you pointed out there is the fact he is in NAMUS. Keep looking, though!

 

[Gardener1850]

Not many changes below, but here is an update of the Timeline:

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. Google Maps

Sept 2017 Hiker (Obsidian) took a photo of him reading the logbook in the Mountain Home Hostel in Front Royal, Virginia. Another photo at the same table was posted on the hostel fb page Sept 22.
Mountain Home

27 Sept 2017 – Hiker (MJO) met up with Denim while hiking the AT in Bland County, VA near the Helvey’s Mill Shelter. He told her he was headed for Georgia. AT shelters: HelveysM Helveys Mill Shelter

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 near 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

Photo info

Jan 2018 – Hiker (K) took a photo of him while holding a “thru hike” sticker in Crestview, Florida, on Hwy 90, West of town.

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

Florida Trail Association:
Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Hikers Alliance:
Florida Trail Hikers Alliance

FTthruHIKE:
FTthruHike

The Trek:

Authorities Need Help Identifying a Hiker Who May Have Hiked the AT - The Trek

Mountain Home Hostel:

Mountain Home

Unidentified and Unclaimed facebook

Unidentified and Unclaimed Facebook

Florida National Scenic Trail - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

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/

 

[Bit of hope]

Not many changes below, but here is an update of the Timeline:

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. Google Maps

Sept 2017 Hiker (Obsidian) took a photo of him reading the logbook in the Mountain Home Hostel in Front Royal, Virginia. Another photo at the same table was posted on the hostel fb page Sept 22.
Mountain Home

27 Sept 2017 – Hiker (MJO) met up with Denim while hiking the AT in Bland County, VA near the Helvey’s Mill Shelter. He told her he was headed for Georgia. AT shelters: HelveysM Helveys Mill Shelter

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 near 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

Photo info

Jan 2018 – Hiker (K) took a photo of him while holding a “thru hike” sticker in Crestview, Florida, on Hwy 90, West of town.

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

Florida Trail Association:
Florida Trail Association

Florida Trail Hikers Alliance:
Florida Trail Hikers Alliance

FTthruHIKE:
FTthruHike

The Trek:

Authorities Need Help Identifying a Hiker Who May Have Hiked the AT - The Trek

Mountain Home Hostel:

Mountain Home

Unidentified and Unclaimed facebook

Unidentified and Unclaimed Facebook

Florida National Scenic Trail - Big Cypress National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

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/

What a lot of work....! Thank you for your devotion.