Found Deceased MO - John Forsyth, 49, doctor, Mercy ER Clinic, Cassville, 21 May 2023 *car found* #2

[Chelly]

the AP published a correction. He was born in Provo, UT.

Thanks so much @snubenergy for clearing that up.

 

[Wallendo]

With every detail released, this becomes more confusing. I still lean towards homicide.

Per recent reports, he parks his car near the aquatic center. Another car pulls up, and by the most recent reports, does nothing and then drives off. He sits there another 15 minutes and then drives off. I can imagine scenarios where this makes sense, but they would sound more like a movie plot than real life. Could they have communicated via throw-away phones. Could people in the white vehicle have shown him something/someone through the window? Could he have had assistance with suicide? Possibly he met up with the white vehicle after walking out of camera view and they dropped him off at the lake? Could he have arranged for someone to move his body after he shot himself to make a suicide look like a homicide?

My gut feeling is that he drove to the aquatic center specifically to meet someone for a planned meeting. There was some communication with the white vehicle. After that, I don't know what happened.

 

[Betty P]

With every detail released, this becomes more confusing. I still lean towards homicide.

Per recent reports, he parks his car near the aquatic center. Another car pulls up, and by the most recent reports, does nothing and then drives off. He sits there another 15 minutes and then drives off. I can imagine scenarios where this makes sense, but they would sound more like a movie plot than real life. Could they have communicated via throw-away phones. Could people in the white vehicle have shown him something/someone through the window? Could he have had assistance with suicide? Possibly he met up with the white vehicle after walking out of camera view and they dropped him off at the lake? Could he have arranged for someone to move his body after he shot himself to make a suicide look like a homicide?

My gut feeling is that he drove to the aquatic center specifically to meet someone for a planned meeting. There was some communication with the white vehicle. After that, I don't know what happened.

Agree. It seems rare to go to a clandestine spot to meet with someone just as you're getting ready to commit suicide. The meeting with the person(s) in the white SUV just doesn't fit.

How do you leave your car behind, hidden, and end up dead 30 miles away, with no vehicle belonging to you nearby. Its a big logistical puzzle that I've not read of in any other suicide. They've checked his data. They would know if he called an Uber or hitched a ride from someone.

The general rule of thumb with a suicide investigation is to question that assumption if anything is out of the norm for a suicide.

 

[Snoopster]

Didn't someone in LE describe the death scene as "cut and dried."? I can't find the source now.

Anyway, to me, that statement means suicide.

I thought it referred to the fact that he was shot and that the cause of death was cut and dry. I didn't presume it meant that they knew (or were sharing with the public) who did the shooting.

 

[Snoopster]

Agree. It seems rare to go to a clandestine spot to meet with someone just as you're getting ready to commit suicide. The meeting with the person(s) in the white SUV just doesn't fit.

How do you leave your car behind, hidden, and end up dead 30 miles away, with no vehicle belonging to you nearby. Its a big logistical puzzle that I've not read of in any other suicide. They've checked his data. They would know if he called an Uber or hitched a ride from someone.

The general rule of thumb with a suicide investigation is to question that assumption if anything is out of the norm for a suicide.

bolded by me

I agree. But what if the meeting didn't have a 'satisfactory' ending and then JF decided there was only one way out...suicide?

I am still leaning toward homicide though. I can't believe that LE are still investigating if this was a suicide. (I was going to say 'simple suicide', but nothing about this case is simple.)

My reason for leaning toward homicide is the distance between his car and the lake. He could have gone somewhere close to his vehicle to kill himself. Having said that, it is possible that there was a lot of wandering and thinking between the time of the video and the time of his death. We still don't know the coroner's estimated time of death.

 

[Teche]

When do you think LE will Get the final report regarding self-harm vs homicide?

 

[jellybean96]

When do you think LE will Get the final report regarding self-harm vs homicide?

I would be surprised if they didn't already have it. But if they are waiting for toxicology, then 6-8 weeks after he was found.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

<modsnip> "I want to know if my family is in danger. I want to know if I’m in danger. "

If my brother were murdered, shot in the head and left floating in a lake, why would I be worried about me or my family? There are really just a few reasons that come to mind.

Family of doctor found dead in Ozarks lake insists it was not suicide

The detail pertains to the mysterious death of John Forsyth, and was offered up by the late physician's brother Monday - three weeks after Forsyth's dead body was found floating in a lake in Arkansas.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[kccorona]

But I am *highly* suspicious that it actually happened and that anyone knew of it before he went missing.

The DM article posted above is the first I’ve heard that John had only shared about the kidnapping with a friend. I could’ve sworn earlier reports were that the brother had known about it because it was related to their shared crypto interest/business.

Richard said Forsyth - who allegedly made millions investing in Bitcoin during its early days - was kidnapped but did not report the crime.

He allegedly only told a mutual friend, who then relayed the story to police and the rest of Richard's family after he went missing.

'It was cold. He was zip-tied. He was made to feel very unsafe and taken on a car ride with some people to a bridge and was threatened,' said Richard.

BBM. There’s a lot that seems odd about all these statements and so many parts that aren’t first hand accounts. I do find it very interesting (and maybe quite telling?) that law enforcement has been essentially silent throughout the investigation since his body was found.

 

[Brown bear]

<modsnip> "I want to know if my family is in danger. I want to know if I’m in danger. "

If my brother were murdered, shot in the head and left floating in a lake, why would I be worried about me or my family? There are really just a few reasons that come to mind.

Family of doctor found dead in Ozarks lake insists it was not suicide

The detail pertains to the mysterious death of John Forsyth, and was offered up by the late physician's brother Monday - three weeks after Forsyth's dead body was found floating in a lake in Arkansas.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Earlier commentaries criticized Richard for not being worried about his own safety—and that was in the first days of shock.

 

[?!?]

‘It Was Not Suicide’: E.R. Doctor Found Dead in Lake Was Shot in Head, Family Says

A Missouri man who was found dead in Arkansas last month had been shot in the head, according to his family. John Forsyth’s brother told Fox News that the emergency room doctor died from a non-self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head. He also claimed Forsyth, 49, was killed the same day...

www.crimeonline.com

 

[nhmemorymaker]

‘It Was Not Suicide’: E.R. Doctor Found Dead in Lake Was Shot in Head, Family Says

A Missouri man who was found dead in Arkansas last month had been shot in the head, according to his family. John Forsyth’s brother told Fox News that the emergency room doctor died from a non-self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head. He also claimed Forsyth, 49, was killed the same day...

www.crimeonline.com

Clearly, the brother is still the only one talking.
At this point, I assume he is begging LE to say the same, and yet nothing.

Whose game is this. LE's, or Brother Richard's?

 

[CrimeDawg123]

Earlier commentaries criticized Richard for not being worried about his own safety—and that was in the first days of shock.

Why would RIchard need to be worried about his own safety?

 

[Brown bear]

Why would RIchard need to be worried about his own safety?

The immediate family members believe it was homicide and that it was crypto related. Since Richard helped his brother in developing a crypto business, and if the crypto-related theory is true, it seemed logical by some that Richard could also be a target. Therefore, commentators were suspicious of Richard’s lack of concern for his own safety (implying Richard is a suspect in foul play).

I could be wrong, but I don’t believe Richard feels like he’s in danger. I think he’s anxious for LE to give clues as to where their investigation is going. Closure (whatever that means) is hard to come by.

 

[CrimeDawg123]

The immediate family members believe it was homicide and that it was crypto related. Since Richard helped his brother in developing a crypto business, and if the crypto-related theory is true, it seemed logical by some that Richard could also be a target. Therefore, commentators were suspicious of Richard’s lack of concern for his own safety (implying Richard is a suspect in foul play).

I could be wrong, but I don’t believe Richard feels like he’s in danger. I think he’s anxious for LE to give clues as to where their investigation is going. Closure (whatever that means) is hard to come by.

Thank you for this explanation! From what I have read, crypto itself can be quite legit, however there are a lot of shady characters in that space. Interesting turn of events.

 

[Dhighsmith]

With every detail released, this becomes more confusing. I still lean towards homicide.

Per recent reports, he parks his car near the aquatic center. Another car pulls up, and by the most recent reports, does nothing and then drives off. He sits there another 15 minutes and then drives off. I can imagine scenarios where this makes sense, but they would sound more like a movie plot than real life. Could they have communicated via throw-away phones. Could people in the white vehicle have shown him something/someone through the window? Could he have had assistance with suicide? Possibly he met up with the white vehicle after walking out of camera view and they dropped him off at the lake? Could he have arranged for someone to move his body after he shot himself to make a suicide look like a homicide?

My gut feeling is that he drove to the aquatic center specifically to meet someone for a planned meeting. There was some communication with the white vehicle. After that, I don't know what happened.

At this point, it’s all speculation until LE update with more info but here I go- it’s possible the unknown car in video was attempting to drop items into the dumpster that JF was parked in front of so when unknown person encounters JF they leave. Recalling the Naomi Iron’s case, she was abducted from Walmart parking lot, captured on security camera was a car that pulled in and parked (couple rows from NI) just as the image of suspect is observed, car lights reflect on suspect who walks in front of car. Wow, what are the chances- suspicious coincidence- LE investigation determined no connection, a lot of time wasted down a rabbit hole finding nothing.

 

[Kemug]

I believe that some doctors resort to drugs to get through their long hours? So could the 2 cars meeting at an isolated place have been a drug deal? If so, the 15 minutes JF remained in his car could be because he was taking the drug. JMO

 

[Dhighsmith]

Earlier commentaries criticized Richard for not being worried about his own safety—and that was in the first days of shock.

Just a few thoughts- as an outsider to cases, my interest in true crime stays strong, without discussions and asking questions then how do we expect to get answers. But, from personal experience, encourage family to ignore the negative comments and criticism by those who have never been in similar situation. Richard is front and center for exposure to case, the goal is to keep the story alive hoping someone may have seen something or have info. Loved ones never have advanced notice to expertly prepare for the media exposure, actions are fueled by emotions and need for answers. Richard should be admired for not letting the negative opinions silence him .

 

[?!?]

I believe that some doctors resort to drugs to get through their long hours? So could the 2 cars meeting at an isolated place have been a drug deal? If so, the 15 minutes JF remained in his car could be because he was taking the drug. JMO

I don't believe LE has made any reference to drugs (or much else, for that matter)....

 

[Dhighsmith]

I don't believe LE has made any reference to drugs (or much else, for that matter)....

I’m not aware of LE mentioning drugs at all, although info has been minimal. There were comments here explaining how hospital security measures limit access to medications but nothing I’ve seen to substantiate drug connection.