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

[Gardener1850]

This is so helpful seeing it all written down this way. I would love to know what he was doing in May 17 and who gave him the name denim. No one has came forwards from early on in his hike or late on in it either.

You mentioned earlier you wondered what he did for thanksgiving. He would have also had a birthday on the trails at some point and what did he do for Christmas and New Year as well?

So many questions and I really hope more people come forward and they are able to identify him. It just obviously hasn’t been seen by the right person(s) yet but if I can see it in the UK, hopefully it’s only a matter of time.

This plays on my mind so much it’s unreal

Yes, good questions! I also think of things like there was a Solar Eclipse on 21 Aug 2017: Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 - Wikipedia

Was he hiking on the trail for that day or did he stop somewhere to watch it? There were eclipse watching parties everywhere in the US but I remember reading about people filling small mountain towns to watch it. Based on the timeline he would have been in Virginia-- possibly the Shenandoah National Park area-- there was a viewing party held in the park there: Solar Eclipse 2017: Where To See It In Virginia, DC

 

[RickshawFan]

I was just looking at them last night. Here's their website: Harpers Ferry lodging - C&O Canal lodging - Teahorse B&B / Hostel
And they have a few reviews on Tripadvisor-- which got me looking at several hostels reviewed on trip advisor to see if I could find reviews left the same time he was in certain places or photos there that might include him...Nothing yet but I'll keep looking.

Google or TripAdvisor might not be a great way to find relevant AT hostels. Many are quite rudimentary, often grubby, gunky showers, funky mattresses, etc. These aren't TripAdvisor kind of places. They are usually listed in the companion guide(s) for AT hikers.
Also, every shelter has a log book where hikers sign in. You could contact the various trail clubs that maintain those shelters to see if they have old log books.

 

[RickshawFan]

Perhaps Mostly Harmless did not expect to die there? Even if he was sick with a chronic illness he might have been in denial or the death might have been sudden from something like heat stroke or heart attack. Some hikers pointed out how he had left his shoes outside the tent with the insoles standing up to dry. That may indicate he planned to use his shoes the next day to keep on hiking. I wonder if perhaps he ran out of food and was weak and overheated. Perhaps he laid down for a while thinking he would wake up when someone came by and ask them for food. But no one came by for several days. And he never woke up again.

That's what I think..... And someone might have stolen his pack while he was conked out, and then he didn't have any food and couldn't get any.

 

[RickshawFan]

This is the first time I’ve joined a site like this and the first time I’ve ever posted on this type of case. I’m in the UK and saw this story in a National newspaper and it struck a chord with me. Denim looks just like my partner and he too lost a substantial amount of weight through walking/hiking. Like 10 stone and he’s only 5ft7ins. This case has been on my mind since I first read about it over a month ago.
I’m not sure really if I can be of any help but there’s one thing that really makes me wonder with this case and that’s that he wasn’t found until 23rd July yet there have been 2 separate people mention on Facebook threads that they seen his tent at the campground as early as 1st June and 3rd June. I’d hate the think he’s been unwell in there for weeks before being found but the amount of weight lost by him would make me think that’s the case.

Your partner lost 140lbs?
Most men on the AT (not women) lose a substantial amount of weight. And our hiker clearly was losing weight as he went along. But his final weight, unless there's some mistake, is extreme.
And the detail about being seen at a campground in early June? I don't believe he was found/died at a campground.

 

[HelenaRigby]

Your partner lost 140lbs?
Most men on the AT (not women) lose a substantial amount of weight. And our hiker clearly was losing weight as he went along. But his final weight, unless there's some mistake, is extreme.
And the detail about being seen at a campground in early June? I don't believe he was found/died at a campground.

Yes, he was 22 stone and suffered a heart attack at 27 years old. He decided to do it the old fashioned way and ate less and moved more. Walked between 10/20 miles a day about 4 times a week and it went in less than a year. He’s 5ft 7ins and looks just like denim which is why I’m drawn to this I think so much.

There were comments on the Collier county police posts about his tent and belongings being seen the same place he was found dead, on the 1st and 3rd June.

 

[moonriverfarm]

If in fact the tent and belongings were there from early June til he was found , where was he those weeks ? Certainly not deceased in the tent, because the sheriff has said he died a few days prior to being found. So where was he?

 

[HelenaRigby]

If in fact the tent and belongings were there from early June til he was found , where was he those weeks ? Certainly not deceased in the tent, because the sheriff has said he died a few days prior to being found. So where was he?

Exactly! There were comment by 2 separate people saying they’d been there on those dates and the same tent and gear was there

First person said no sign of anyone outside and didn’t want to disturb so left alone and second person said they shouted a yo yo out to them and no response.

It makes me sad to think he could have been there all those weeks, un well, alone and then when found dead they said it had only been within a few days of being found he’d died.

 

[Coffee56]

Thanks Coffee56, but the Sheriff has said they have checked NAMUS and the UID is not anyone in NAMUS. Feel free to send it in if you feel strongly (I think the nose is spot on) but just letting you know the Sheriff's posts about this have been pretty clear (they could always be wrong, of course).

I have been trying to stay away from those in Namus because I know they have said it’s no one that has been reporting missing but that nose got me. Hubby (he’s always my “no, that’s not the same person” go to) looked for a long time. We both agreed the ears weren’t right but I just had to put him up here. Hopefully we will find Denim’s home and loved ones soon.

 

[madamx]

Bringing forward 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/

Thank you Gardner for this super amazing and thorough timeline.Live it! I am caught up now!

I wanted to bring this up. Don't know if anyone had noticed or if it makes a difference. I noticed in the dec 2 2017 photo of him holding the MaPs. Looks like his fingers have arthritis or are double jointed or have broken nd healed crooked. I could be totally off . It's just one photo but made me think of someone has reported locally or on Facebook missing that had some issues w their hands or fingers?

 

[Gardener1850]

If in fact the tent and belongings were there from early June til he was found , where was he those weeks ? Certainly not deceased in the tent, because the sheriff has said he died a few days prior to being found. So where was he?

Exactly! There were comment by 2 separate people saying they’d been there on those dates and the same tent and gear was there

First person said no sign of anyone outside and didn’t want to disturb so left alone and second person said they shouted a yo yo out to them and no response.

It makes me sad to think he could have been there all those weeks, un well, alone and then when found dead they said it had only been within a few days of being found he’d died.

The Sheriff said they thought he had been living in the park. I have a few theories--
One theory is that perhaps he was feeling sick and didn't want to go on until he felt better. The heat alone could have been enough to make him not feel well. Maybe he thought he could wait out the heat and start hiking again when it cooled down.

My 2nd theory is that he lacked the gear he needed to hike farther South. I have been watching a few youtube videos of people hiking the Florida Trail through the Big Cypress Section. I noticed that the part where he was found is mostly dry but as you go south the trail becomes swamp-- you have to walk through snake and gator infested waters ranging from ankle to knee deep. Maybe he just wasn't up for that or hoped the water would recede enough he could keep going.

My 3rd theory is that he had reached Key West and turned around to travel north again. There are reports that he reached Key West but none confirmed. Perhaps when people saw his tent there in June he was still hiking SOBO (that's hiker speak for Southbound). And when he hiked NOBO he returned to the same campsite where he was found in July.

 

[dianelynn]

Can you tell me where you saw this info, please?
DO NOT link if it's on a private/individual's social media page (Reddit linking is also not allowed) just point me in the direction or tell me how to find it, thanks.

 

[dianelynn]

I will try to find the information on where I found that he missed the food drop. There is also a link from someone that found him that states his pack was there.

 

[HelenaRigby]

The Sheriff said they thought he had been living in the park. I have a few theories--
One theory is that perhaps he was feeling sick and didn't want to go on until he felt better. The heat alone could have been enough to make him not feel well. Maybe he thought he could wait out the heat and start hiking again when it cooled down.

My 2nd theory is that he lacked the gear he needed to hike farther South. I have been watching a few youtube videos of people hiking the Florida Trail through the Big Cypress Section. I noticed that the part where he was found is mostly dry but as you go south the trail becomes swamp-- you have to walk through snake and gator infested waters ranging from ankle to knee deep. Maybe he just wasn't up for that or hoped the water would recede enough he could keep going.

My 3rd theory is that he had reached Key West and turned around to travel north again. There are reports that he reached Key West but none confirmed. Perhaps when people saw his tent there in June he was still hiking SOBO (that's hiker speak for Southbound). And when he hiked NOBO he returned to the same campsite where he was found in July.

I would like to think the 3rd theory is the closest one to what happened to denim but I’ve been to Florida in July before, so I think option 1 is more likely.

If his supplies were all but depleted and he was overcome by heat, hunger and exhaustion it would explain a big weight loss. He must have been so thin when found.

I’m finding myself checking posts every day for any updates. I really want to know what happened in the beginning of his hike and the end but more than anything who he was.

 

[moonriverfarm]

Let's all keep this thread alive.

 

[Gardener1850]

I would like to think the 3rd theory is the closest one to what happened to denim but I’ve been to Florida in July before, so I think option 1 is more likely.

If his supplies were all but depleted and he was overcome by heat, hunger and exhaustion it would explain a big weight loss. He must have been so thin when found.

I’m finding myself checking posts every day for any updates. I really want to know what happened in the beginning of his hike and the end but more than anything who he was.

Bolded by me-- Me too. I want to know who he was and get him back to his family.

If no one come forward saying they knew him I hope the Sheriff's office will take up DNA Doe Project's offer to do DNA genealogy. Margaret Press of DDP posted on the Sheriff Facebook page with info on how to contact them but whomever was answering questions said they could not do that legally because this isn't a criminal case. I'm not sure if that is a Florida law or if the person answering questions on the page is clueless (I'm leaning toward clueless), but DDP has definitely solved non-criminal UID cases from other states (Lyle Stevik for one). I also think there is enough interest in this case that any money needed for DDP's tests could be raised. JMO.

 

[Gardener1850]

Thank you Gardner for this super amazing and thorough timeline.Live it! I am caught up now!

I wanted to bring this up. Don't know if anyone had noticed or if it makes a difference. I noticed in the dec 2 2017 photo of him holding the MaPs. Looks like his fingers have arthritis or are double jointed or have broken nd healed crooked. I could be totally off . It's just one photo but made me think of someone has reported locally or on Facebook missing that had some issues w their hands or fingers?

I had not noticed that about his fingers. Perhaps he had arthritis from over a decade of working at a computer. I know some middle aged IT professionals who have that problem (along with back pain and neck pain from sitting at a desk too long). It may have been part of his motivation for quitting his job IMO. One thing I find interesting, however, is that he does not seem to need glasses. Most tech people I know need them and most middle aged men I know at least need reading glasses. I wonder if anyone noticed if he had trouble reading a menu? If not, perhaps he is on the younger end of the age range?

 

[carbuff]

Bolded by me-- Me too. I want to know who he was and get him back to his family.

If no one come forward saying they knew him I hope the Sheriff's office will take up DNA Doe Project's offer to do DNA genealogy. Margaret Press of DDP posted on the Sheriff Facebook page with info on how to contact them but whomever was answering questions said they could not do that legally because this isn't a criminal case. I'm not sure if that is a Florida law or if the person answering questions on the page is clueless (I'm leaning toward clueless), but DDP has definitely solved non-criminal UID cases from other states (Lyle Stevik for one). I also think there is enough interest in this case that any money needed for DDP's tests could be raised. JMO.

Privacy laws in different states vary a lot in what can be done with searches and DNA, and LE agencies have other restrictions based on constitutional protections. Searches of DNA databases are often interpreted as "fishing expeditions," which aren't legal. It's a murky legal area.

 

[Gardener1850]

Privacy laws in different states vary a lot in what can be done with searches and DNA, and LE agencies have other restrictions based on constitutional protections. Searches of DNA databases are often interpreted as "fishing expeditions," which aren't legal. It's a murky legal area.

That sounds about right. I think there is a "loophole" in other states that allows DDP to do the work they are doing. It seems like since there is no crime involved here it should be legal to try to find this man's identity with DNA genealogy, but I understand it may not be legal in some places.

 

[carbuff]

That sounds about right. I think there is a "loophole" in other states that allows DDP to do the work they are doing. It seems like since there is no crime involved here it should be legal to try to find this man's identity with DNA genealogy, but I understand it may not be legal in some places.

Further complicating matters: apparently in some states that's permissible if LE isn't involved, and in others it's okay if LE is involved and gets appropriate warrants/subpoenas.

 

[Owutatangledweb]

I think he’s too young and too tall but keep coming back. They called off the search for him after it was determined he was deceased. Still in Namus and no body recovered.
Kurt Beehler

Missing Person Case

Found Deceased - NY - Kurt Beehler, 24, Niagara Falls, 8 April 2017

From what I understand, his body had not been found. I can't get the side by side correct, but boy the nose and other facial features are so close.