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

[nannymo]

That is definitely Denim, but what is his real name? Where does this picture come from?

 

[nannymo]

Is this picture talking about a person missing since 2002? Can you share the link? Is it from MSM?

 

[Horrifiedmom]

James Thomas Wiggins from Louisiana

 

[Horrifiedmom]

Sorry If I didn't clarify. The young kid is James thomas Wiggins. I put his picture next to Denims for comparison

 

[RichardRyder]

Wow that picture really got me.

Here is the Charley project link for James Thomas Wiggins: James Thomas Wiggins – The Charley Project

It mentions caps on his teeth and some significant scars, but you really can’t deny the resemblance. Not to mention the Louisiana connection and relatively close age estimate.

 

[nannymo]

I am sorry I misunderstood! I thought the person on the right was the missing person from 2002! They do look a lot alike, but I think the nose is different. It is worth reporting. I'm not sure if James Thomas Wiggins has been ruled out.

 

[Horrifiedmom]

Yeah.. His picture is the only one that made me catch my breath. I showed my sister and she said that it looked so much like him. He would have been over 21 when he went missing. Wouldn't be that hard to go to a dentist.

 

[Horrifiedmom]

How would I go about reporting? I am such a newbie at this.

 

[nannymo]

Ruston City Police Department 318-255-4141

The link above shows this number to contact. I hope they have some DNA on Wiggins.

 

[RichardRyder]

For what it's worth, I have found that James Wiggins' family is still pretty actively posting about him on their social media profiles. I haven't found a page on WebSleuths yet.

I can't find any better pictures, but recent (October 2018) replies to a Louisiana Missing Persons site can be seen here: James T. Wiggins – Unsolved Disappearance – Louisiana

 

[Horrifiedmom]

I visited that page earlier. I guess I missed their replies! Thank you. I will try to remember to call Ruston tomorrow.

 

[Luckyzmom]

Amazing likeness ! Great job HMom ! Took my breath away, please keep us posted when you have a chance TIA !

 

[Podengo]

But James Thomas has quite a few scars, some surgical, and the crowns on his teeth. I had my appendix removed at 9 years of age and at 49 the scar is still there, even detailed enough to show actual suture holes. I still have all of my childhood scars.

 

[Horrifiedmom]

That's true but the only scar that denim has is on his abdomen that they listed anyway. They could have just listed what they thought was the only surgical scar. They could have thought he had the others from hiking and his family couldn't know those.

 

[Andreee]

I am sorry I misunderstood! I thought the person on the right was the missing person from 2002! They do look a lot alike, but I think the nose is different. It is worth reporting. I'm not sure if James Thomas Wiggins has been ruled out.

Yes, the nose is different.

 

[eucalyptuz]

Some strong similarities to Demin, but the sticking point for me is height. JTW was 21, an adult, when he disappeared and 5’2”, our guy Denim is 5’8”.

 

[Coffee56]

I think the crowns on the front teeth are pretty quick rule out. With all the emphasis on the perfect condition of Denim's teeth, I'm sure they would have reported crowns on his front teeth.

 

[Bit of hope]

Don't want to sound disrepectful, but sorry.... I can't imagine James Thomas Wiggins is Denim/Ben/Mostly Harmless.
He has surgical scars on his right forearm and his abdomen and scars on his left ear, the inside of his left bicep, and the upper left side of his chest. Where MH has a very fainted scar on his abdomen. His hair is curly, where Ben's hair is straight, according to the PM sketch and his height is to far off. I think a 21 year old could grow a little more maybe but not that much. I couldn't find a thread on WS of J.T. Wiggins. Maybe somebody can make one.

 

[CaseyLPC]

I also feel like Denim was older than 38, which is what Mr. Wiggins would be. The similarities are definitely striking though. Could possibly be related.

 

[coffeeandacig]

I'd still go ahead and contact Ruston, LA Police.

5' 2" tall could be a clerical error. Or perhaps the conditions that could've led to stunted growth were removed, and he was able to gain another 5 or 6 inches in height. Not likely, but growth hormone therapy has produced some similar results.

As far as scaring is concerned, there is always the chance that LE is withholding information. Also, those scars may have visibly diminished or even disappeared over the course of 16 years.

Hair can change due to diet and disease. So, whether his hair is curly, straight or wavy isn't that big of a difference. JMHO

I do have a question...
When LE describes "perfect" teeth is this due to him having a great deal of dental care, (bonding, etc.) or due to the lack of gum disease or cavities, prevalent in people around MH's age?